How is God Working?

Finding Strength in God’s Word When Life Doesn’t Make Sense

Have you ever felt like your life is spiraling out of control? Like everything you thought you knew about God suddenly doesn’t align with your experiences? If so, you’re not alone. The prophet Habakkuk faced similar struggles, and his story offers valuable lessons for us today.

The Tension Between God’s Character and Our Experiences

As believers, we often find ourselves caught in a difficult place. On one hand, we know God’s character – He is eternal, limitless, and holy. On the other hand, our experiences sometimes seem to contradict what we know about Him. This creates a tension that can be hard to reconcile.

“We see this tension right… we’re the chain often, and the tension is between God’s character, what He says He is and who He is, and what we experience in our lives,” I explained. “And often that leads to incredible tension in our heads and in our hearts.”

The problem arises when we try to make sense of this doubt using our own understanding. We simply don’t have the capacity to fully comprehend God’s ways. As Isaiah 55:9 reminds us, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

The Danger of Filtering God Through Our Pain

When we’re hurting or confused, it’s easy to let our emotions cloud our judgment. I shared an illustration from General Patton’s book, “War as I Knew It”:

“Reports by wounded men are always exaggerated and favor the enemy.”

Just like wounded soldiers, when we’re in pain, we filter everything through that lens. Our emotions are real, but they’re not always accurate. They show us what we’re thinking and believing at the moment, which may not align with the truth of who God is.

Finding Certainty in God’s Word

So, where do we turn when life doesn’t make sense? The answer is clear: God’s Word. In Habakkuk 2:2-3, God tells the prophet:

“Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay.”

God’s Word produces certainty in uncertain times. It provides a stable foundation when everything else seems to be shifting. When we write down God’s promises and meditate on them, we anchor ourselves in His truth rather than our fluctuating emotions.

Living by Faith, Not by Sight

Ultimately, God calls us to live by faith, not by what we see or experience. Habakkuk 2:4 states, “But the righteous shall live by his faith.” This verse reminds us that our trust should be in God’s character and promises, not in our understanding of circumstances.

Living by faith doesn’t mean we’ll always understand what God is doing. It means we choose to trust Him even when life doesn’t make sense. We rely on His Word as “a lamp to our feet and a light to our path” (Psalm 119:105), guiding us one step at a time.

Putting It Into Practice

So how do we apply these truths to our daily lives? Here are some practical steps:

1. Immerse yourself in God’s Word: Make Bible reading a daily habit. As I said in the sermon, “Whatever part of the Bible we’re in, we know that God, it is powerful. It brings strength, it brings comfort, it strengthens us in our weakness and heals us in our woundedness.”
2. Write down God’s promises: Keep a journal of scriptures that speak to your situation. Review them often, especially when you’re struggling with doubting.
3. Guard against negative self-talk: When you catch yourself doubting God’s goodness, counter those thoughts with truth from Scripture.
4. Take the next step in faith: You may not see the whole path, but trust God enough to take the next step He’s showing you.
5. Seek support from other believers: Share your struggles with trusted friends who can remind you of God’s faithfulness.

Remember, it’s okay to have questions and doubts. But don’t let those doubts keep you from trusting God. As we learn to rely on His Word and live by faith, we’ll find the strength and certainty we need to face life’s challenges.