Have you ever wondered where God was in the middle of a painful situation? Found yourself wondering “Where is God when I hurt?” or “Does God even care about me?” Have you asked yourself why a good and loving God would allow so much hurt in the world? I’ve wrestled with those same questions! In a world that’s offering us so many answers to the questions of life, we can feel dissatisfied by what the world has to give. If you’re wondering what to do when you’re hurting inside, this post was made for you!
As a teenager, I’d get mad at God after a breakup. As a young professional, I’d be frustrated when I got passed up for a promotion. My heart was broken as my wife miscarried twice when we were in our early thirties. In my late forties I lost my house, with five kids at home. Trust me, I’ve learned how to trust God even when it hurts. Despite all of the chaos and pain, I know and can confidently say that God is always there for us.
Related Post: How to Trust God When Life Isn't Going Well
God Created Us Because He Loves Us
As a parent of five adult children, two son-in-laws, a daughter-in-law and my first grandchild coming soon, I have never experienced so much love than the moment our first daughter came into the world. She came from the love of her mom and I.
On a much bigger scale, our God is a good Father. He made us because He wanted to love us (John 3:16-17, John 15:9-17)!
As the father of my kids, I know part of growing up is making a few bad decisions and getting hurt. I’ve seen them get hurt by the words and actions of other people. When my daughters were young, I wished I could lock them in the house where they were safe and under my full protection, but that's not possible…
Because that isn’t love, that’s imprisonment. I had to teach them what to do when you’re hurting inside. Love is the best intentions with an allowance for those we love to choose to be loved back.
It’s hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that God doesn’t sin or lie. He is perfect, good, and faithful. The Apostle Paul writes in Hebrews that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8) The Apostle Paul learned how to trust God even when it hurts! He faced imprisonment, beating, ridicule, and mockery. The Apostle Paul even gave his life completely for the Lord, letting himself be killed for the sake of the Gospel.
Believe it or not, God is not just ‘the big man playing chess with our lives.’ He doesn’t enjoy it when we encounter difficulties! God knows we are going to hurt, but God is always there for us. All of us will experience sickness, problems and eventually, we will die (oh, that was harsh. Take a deep breath - the good news is coming).
Related Post: You Are Valuable to God
So, where is God when I’m hurting?
When You’re Hurting, God is with You
The simple answer is, God is always there for us...but, could that really be true? Sounds nice, but really? Here is the mind blowing truth: God wants to go through our problems with us and God is always there for us!
He wants to reform our character and make us more like Him (please read all of Philippians 2). God wants us to be less self-centered and to love others better. And He wants us to trust God even when it hurts.
I’m not sure about you, but when I’m going through something tough, I really start talking to God and looking for Him in the situation. Although He doesn’t cause difficulties, He does use the difficulties in our life to make us fit for heaven.
I’m not sure about you, but when I’m going through something tough, I really start talking to God and looking for Him in the situation. Although He doesn’t cause difficulties, He does use the difficulties in our life to make us fit for heaven.
Related Post: Bible Verses About Thankfulness
When You’re Hurting, God is still working for Good
It's slightly easier to trust God even when it hurts, when you discover that God is always working things for good. The Bible confirms this by telling us that God will always work all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His plan (Romans 8:28). It's good news that we are called to a divine plan!
There are so many incredible Bible verses to read when you're hurting. Check out our post: How to Stay Hopeful | Bible Verses for Hope
We might never understand the purposes for everything that happens to us. But, we can trust that our loving Father knows what's best for us and will make it all good in the end.
Related Post: What is God's Will for My Life?
When You’re Hurting, Think about Heaven
Sometimes trusting God even when it hurts is to remember that it's all about eternity in heaven. We will be there much longer than we are here! This is just the beginning of a wonderful relationship with adventures and awesome experiences. We can never even imagine how great our future is.
Trust God and remember that God is always there for you. Some helpful tips for what to do when you're hurting inside is to lean on Him by reading your Bible, praying throughout the day, and joining a community of Christians to help get through hard times. And then, help others make it through difficult situations.
God is always there for us and will walk with us through anything.
Related Post: Tragedy into Triumph
Trusting God When You Are Hurting
It's easy to question God's love when life throws us curveballs. When the intensity of life has you wondering “Where is God when I hurt?”, take heart: Jesus is able to help you. He even promised that He would be with you always! When pain, loss, or disappointment knocks you down, it can feel like God is distant or uncaring. But remember, even in the darkest hours, God is with you. You can trust God when it hurts.
Though God doesn't promise a pain-free life, He does promise to be with you through it all.
What to Do When You’re Hurting Inside
When you’re wondering where God is when you hurt, you can lean on His promises, find solace in His Word, and pour out your heart to Him in prayer. As you trust in His perfect timing and eternal plan, you'll discover a strength and peace that surpasses understanding.
Read our post to calm your soul today: 21 Bible Verses for When You Feel Anxious and Worried
Conclusion
So, the next time you find yourself asking, “Where is God when I hurt?” remember that God is always with you, even in the darkest of times. By trusting in His promises, seeking comfort in His Word, and pouring out your heart to Him in prayer, you can find peace and strength at all times. Remember, God doesn’t promise a pain-free life, but He does promise to be with you through it all. Let’s lean on Him, trust Him, and find hope in His eternal love.
