Silence is Golden

Is it right to question God?


Whether it's right or wrong, I know God understands our hearts when we ask a question like this.  Remember, He is our Father; our Daddy.  The fact that we feel comfortable enough to climb up in His lap and ask the hard questions is proof of the amazing connection we can have with the very One who created us.


Right now so many in my circle of friends are dealing with loss, or impending loss.  More often than not, someone will ask the question, "Why?".  How can we, as mere mortals, answer a question as big as that?  The answer is, we can't.  We want so badly to do or say the right thing that will bring comfort and begin healing that we often say the wrong thing; sometimes we just need to be still.  


So why do we try?  Why do we continue to make feeble attempts to say anything at all?  


It's OK to just be silent, sit quietly, and pray.


Many years ago I had a young friend who lost her husband to cancer.  Because she was a good friend, I had the freedom to ask her "stupid" questions like "What should we do in these circumstances?".  She told me that as a Christian, she already knew exactly what the Bible said regarding loss, trusting God, faith, etc. and believed it with her whole heart.  What she really needed was someone to hold her, cry with her, hear others tell stories about her husband and smile with fond memories of him.  I've tried to remember this and apply it as much as possible; I have also drawn from my own  personal experiences of loss.   


A few weeks ago, one of my son's lost his half-brother in a motorcycle accident.  It was a devastating loss for that family.  This week a sweet little friend of mine lost her baby boy shortly after birth.  It is a horrible thing to have to bury a child, I know because I have also buried a child; a son.  


Anytime bad things happen, especially to children - our own children, we want to know why; we NEED a reason.  We somehow think that if we had a reason it would be easier to accept, it would ease the pain.  But would that really be the case?  The loss would still be felt, the hole in our lives would still be there.  


The only place I know to go from here is Isaiah 55: 8, "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the Lord."


The bottom line for me is that there are some things we just have to accept by faith.


Let me assure you that regardless of how desperate your situation is, joy does come in the morning; we will see beauty in the ashes one day.  God's promises are true; you can trust Him.




Weigh In:
Because everyone's "love language" is different...I think it would be helpful for us to hear from those of you who have suffered loss.  What should we have done or said to you, during your time of grief, to make things easier?  What is the wrong thing to do?