Get out of that hole!

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It's not uncommon for us to find ourselves in spiritually difficult situations. These times might last a few days and soon pass. But what about those challenging circumstances that drag on for weeks or even months? When you notice your spiritual state weakening, and seemingly simple things like reading the Bible and praying become increasingly difficult? Questions remain unanswered, the Bible no longer speaks to you, and prayer offers no solace whatsoever. And suddenly, you know you've reached a spiritual emptiness. This "spiritual emptiness" is precisely the subject of a series of articles that first appeared in Youth Compass 03/20.

1) When God tests...

“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and fell to the ground and bowed down, and said, ‘Naked I came, and naked I shall return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!’” (Job 1:20-21). Sometimes it is announced, rarely do we see it coming, and often it breaks into our lives unexpectedly: God’s trial. Each of us has experienced it or will experience it. But how do I deal with a situation that demands everything of me? How do I behave in situations that exceed my strength? How do I continue to hold fast to my faith? The Bible shows us a man who can answer these questions. He knew who God is and did not sin in his behavior when everything was taken from him. He is both an example and a hero of faith for us. His name is Job.

It's starting!

His entire fortune is gone, his children are dead, and he himself is seriously ill. Unexpectedly, one blow after another, and without explanation. His wife's demand that he renounce God hangs in the air. There's a saying: "Things can always get worse!" But in this situation? How is one supposed to react?

Give space to feelings

When Job heard all this terrible news, he tore his robe and shaved his head. In this way, he expressed his deep sorrow. It is our right as human beings to give space to our feelings and emotions. Solomon writes that everything has its time, including weeping and mourning. When John was killed, Jesus himself went to a solitary place to process his grief. At this point, it is important to pay attention to the consequences. Do I remain in my emotional state, such as grief, fear, etc., or do I take the next steps?

Assess the situation correctly

The prayer Job spoke afterward is one we could hardly pray. This shows that this man knew God and is a true role model of faith for us. Especially when we consider the beginning of his words, we notice that he was able to correctly assess the trial: "Naked I came, and naked I will return."

It is also important for us to correctly assess the situation at the beginning of the exam. This concerns the following points:

Our image of God: I can only properly assess a challenging situation if I have a correct understanding of God. In contrast to His eternity, our lives are a fleeting vapor. Compared to His indescribable greatness, we are a tiny speck of dust. How could we then presume to accuse or blame God? He is, after all, our Father and Shepherd, who holds world events and our lives under His control. "For we stand under him" (Genesis 50:19) and under His mighty hand.

God's way of testing: No matter what situation we encounter, we can be certain that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy for us in these circumstances, as described in James 5:11. He never tests us beyond our capacity (1 Corinthians 10:13). He always does so to reveal our true intentions. In every test, we recognize where we truly stand spiritually and who we are. Our true self is revealed at this point.

Your specific situation: Especially at the beginning of an exam, you often ask yourself why God allowed it. Is it a test, or is the situation your own fault? These kinds of questions only waste your energy. At this moment, only one thing is important: to accept the situation.

Every trial reveals to us where we truly stand spiritually and who we are.

Assume

This is the most difficult part, and we often fail at this point. It is precisely in this delicate phase, as we struggle to accept the test, that the enemy attacks most intensely. Accepting such situations is so difficult for us because it is a sign of submission to God's will. It is no coincidence that Jesus wrestled in Gethsemane with accepting the path of the cross laid before Him by the Father.

The truth is, however, that God grants us grace when we accept the trial (cf. 1 Peter 5:5). It protects us from bitterness and disappointment, which are the first steps to spiritual death. God always thinks more far ahead than we do. His ways are not always logically comprehensible to us. Instead of trying to understand a trial, we should pray to be able to see it from His perspective. Habakkuk did just that. When the Lord revealed His plan to him, he could only praise Him. And that is the next step.

Giving glory to God

It is a conscious decision to thank God in trials and difficult times. We must never forget that there is always hope. Lamentations 3:21-23 shows us that we need not despair, even when everything seems hopeless. His goodness, mercy, and faithfulness give us courage. Giving thanks frees us from self-pity, exalts God and His ways, and places Him at the center. This is precisely His will for us. We can never fully comprehend His ways and thoughts, as they are far higher than ours (cf. Isaiah 55:8-9). They are too perfect, holy, righteous, and serve our best interests. How, then, can we complain and resist the Almighty? In such difficult times, our praise and thanksgiving are a true act of humility, which is pleasing to the Lord.

Endure

Perseverance is a word that's no longer fashionable today. We use it, at most, in a biblical context. These days, we always want everything immediately. We're simply not used to waiting anymore. This makes it all the more difficult to be patient and to place our hope in God. Perseverance is a quality He especially values. But how do we put it into practice?

Seeking community

In difficult times, we need periods of solitude to process our feelings. But being alone for too long can be dangerous. For such opportunities, the enemy waits to destroy our faith piece by piece through despair and self-pity.

Fellowship with believers in church services and prayer sessions strengthens us and lets us know that we are not the only ones who have to go through difficult times.

Praying based on promises

In prayer, we may also draw upon promises that have been clearly left for us in the Bible (see Hebrews 13:5-6 or 2 Corinthians 4:17-18). It is vital that we cling to Scripture. We live by His Word alone and can thus overcome the attacks of the devil. If we cease to believe in His Word and His promises, we very quickly give up perseverance.

Do not stop

Trials can cause stagnation. We stop moving forward and simply remain in place. This state should be avoided at all costs. As soon as we give up, the devil has an easy time with us. But if we stubbornly continue like a donkey and believe that God's ways are best for us, we will sooner or later triumph, and the enemy will flee.

2) Lord, why are you silent?

“Lord, by your grace you established my mountain; but when you hid your face I was troubled” (Psalm 30:8).

Dear young person, do you know that feeling when you come to the throne of grace with a heavy heart, hoping to receive a word of encouragement from the Lord, and nothing comes? When your soul cries out to heaven in sorrow, and you can't shake the feeling that your prayer only reaches the ceiling? You question yourself, actively seek God's reassurance, and simply nothing comes. God is silent! As if He has nothing more to say to you. This state is dreadful, isn't it? Is this silence of God still biblical? Is it normal for a child of God to have to go through such periods of silence in their faith life? For everyone who recognizes themselves in these words, God's Word holds good news! Yes, even men and women of God have had to experience in their lives what it means when God remains silent about their distress or their questions for long periods. In Psalm 30:8, David says that he was terrified when God hid His face from him! David knew all too well what God's silence means for a child of God.

God allows trials in our lives so that a certain fruit may grow through them, which is expressed in the form of a deep inner peace with God.

Symptoms of God's silence

A born-again child of God quickly recognizes that something significant has changed in their relationship with Jesus. This can be compared to a healthy person who suddenly realizes they are no longer performing at 100%. These symptoms are the first warning signs indicating that something is no longer as it was. Something is amiss!

Do I remain in my emotional state, such as sadness, fear, etc., or do I take the next steps?

In a Christian, these symptoms can manifest as follows: First, it becomes apparent that fellowship with God through prayer and the Word of God is lacking. Furthermore, God no longer speaks through visions, dreams, or prophecies. A feeling of coldness spreads in the heart, for heaven seems closed to one's cries. Moreover, answered prayers and the filling of the Holy Spirit cease. And finally, the heart becomes so filled with deep sorrow that it remains unreceptive to the comfort and encouragement of the Bible. Samuel describes the condition of God's people with the following words:

 

“At that time the word of God was rare, and no revelation was breaking through” (1 Samuel 3:1).

Reasons for God's Silence

First, let it be said: God's silence always has a reason! In the lives of His children, God does nothing without a specific purpose. Therefore, God's silence should not be understood primarily as punishment or even a lack of love, but rather as a loving act of a heavenly Father who has only good intentions in the lives of His children.

However, there is one reason that should put a Christian on high alert:

1. God remains silent due to grave sins and stubbornness:

In Isaiah 59:2, God describes the condition of the people of Israel as follows: “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” And in Romans 1:26: “Therefore God gave them up.”

The people of Israel lived in conscious sin for a long time, yet still longed for God to be close to them as He had been in Moses' time. But God made it clear to the people of Israel that their prayers would not be answered because of their knowing sins, and that He would consequently turn away from His people. But the people didn't care; they loved sin! When a child of God consciously lives in sin and does not confess it, it is no wonder that God remains silent toward that person. Moreover, this state is extremely dangerous, as God turns away from them more and more. God has nothing more to say to this person, since He has already revealed His final message in the form of Jesus' sacrificial death. As long as the person does not accept this message, God's silence will continue. To break this silence, it is necessary to accept Jesus' blood.

Therefore, an answer can always be found in God's silence. In every phase of life where a Christian is accompanied by God's silence, God pursues certain purposes.

Here are two more examples of reasons:

2. Based on a faith test / preparation for future service:

Every Christian will likely encounter the same great deficiency throughout their life: a lack of faith. Jesus once asked his disciples if he would still find faith on this earth when he returned. Yet, a firm faith is indispensable! And to strengthen this faith, God allows us to go through phases of life in which his silence accompanies us. For example, we read in the Bible about Hannah, who prayed for a child for a very long time. Every year she went up to the temple and fervently begged God to grant this heartfelt desire, but God remained silent. In this woman, we can clearly see God's intentions. First, God tested her faith. He made her pray and weep to see if she would continue to hold fast to her faith. Furthermore, Hannah was subjected to attacks by her enemy Peninnah, and God continued to test Hannah to see if she would place her complete trust in him. God remained silent to test Hannah's faithfulness. Only through these experiences was Hannah later able to return her longed-for son to God. This boy Samuel became a great man of God! Through this successful test of faith, God bestowed upon Hannah the grace to be the mother of this great man. That was her calling! But she couldn't have known that at the time of the test.

Such tests of faith are the most important lessons in the life of a Christian! God actively takes him into His school and prepares him for his future. Therefore, see God's silence as a sign of love and practice patience; the reward will be great!

3. One shares in a much greater blessing:

It may sound paradoxical at first, but therein lies a profound truth: God remains silent in order to bestow a full and overflowing measure of blessing upon His children. This is clearly evident in the life of Job, perhaps the most well-known man to have suffered so much. Job was severely tested, and this without having sinned. God kept this man in the dark for a very long time as to why everything happened as it did. Job lost all his possessions and, even worse, his fellowship with God. God remained silent in response to Job's cries and laments. Why? God allowed this trial in Job's life only because He wanted to share an even greater blessing with him. The Bible describes this so beautifully in the last chapter of the Book of Job. If the reason for God's silence is not found in the presence of sin, then God always pursues the intention of a deeper blessing. This blessing is initially evident on the spiritual level, but it can also extend to all the material needs of life. This blessing is immense, as the child of God experiences massive growth in faith, leading to a very deep and intimate relationship with Jesus that is truly genuine. Then, one can also receive the testimony that Enoch once received from God: “Because he lived a godly life, God took him away” (Genesis 5:24). Here, the child of God can only practice patience and perseverance, as God will bring this trial to an end in His time.

3) What is God's purpose in the trials?

Everyone has surely asked themselves at some point why they, of all people, have to go through certain trials, usually at the most inconvenient time. This question can stem from curiosity, bitterness, or other reasons. Often, there is no answer, and sometimes it remains a mystery, only to be revealed in eternity. Our minds are too limited for us to even begin to fathom God's perfect purpose behind it.

In our search for a quick answer, we often ask "Why?", but the question "What is this for?" has proven to be far more beneficial. And here the Bible offers us a glimpse of eternity. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." We can already be certain here that all things in life work together for our good if we love Jesus! It seems we should be content with that. But it is a privilege, and we can already know that! This also includes trials, the perceived pitfall we sometimes find ourselves in. But this verse radiates tremendous confidence if we believe it! No depression, no doubting brooding, no collapsing inward or giving up! We humans are often prone to this. This verse shows us that no arbitrary God is at work here. There is no one behind it who wants to harm us. It is the wise, almighty, and all-knowing God who guides our lives and allows trials into our lives using methods that are appropriate for us, because He knows us so well.

“Why is this happening to me?” has proven to be the more beneficial question.

This is because God knows us far better than we know ourselves. Our human reaction to this is often as described in Hebrews 12:11: “Now all discipline seems at first to bring us sorrow rather than pleasure, but later it yields a peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” God therefore allows trials in our lives so that a certain fruit may grow through them, in the form of a deep inner peace with God. This fruit comes through practice; accordingly, trials are a part of our lives.

Therefore, I implore you, dear youth: Come out of the pit of doubt and bitterness. Let us be aware that our human perspective often only extends to the next step in our lives! God's foresight, however, reaches into eternity. He benevolently sees the full outcome of our trials from the very beginning. He has already lived through our entire future! One day we will praise Him for leading us through valleys of tears.

Amen!

From the Youth Compass, Speyer