Where is God During COVID-19?
The age-old question, “Why does God let bad things happen?” has perhaps never felt more relevant than right now. Millions of diligent, faithful workers have been suddenly laid off, uncertain of when they can return to work. Meanwhile, essential workers are continuing to work, knowing they risk exposing themselves to a viral illness. All of this on top of the thousands of people who have died and the many more who are suffering all kinds of sickness, both physical and mental, is confusing at best and heartbreaking at worst. The world is saying, “Why, God?” It feels like the natural response when we go through tough, unprecedented seasons. It’s certainly the same question I posed to the Lord when I went through a personal tragedy that didn’t feel fair.
But decades after my biggest “Why, God?” time of life, I can attest that the Lord has a purpose and a plan through everything, and I would like to share why this current pandemic is no exception to this truth.
As stated, I went through a very rough season many years ago. My perfectly healthy firstborn daughter almost died when she was just a few months old, due to a medical mistake on the part of a doctor who used an adult-sized instrument to do a test on our precious 2-month old baby. As a result of that one mistake, my daughter Linley was in intensive care for four months. Much like this time of social distancing, I had no idea how long that time in intensive care would last and if Linley would ever get totally better or even make it to the next day. Like so many of us right now, I just waited and prayed and prayed and prayed. But still, after all that time, the doctors eventually told us that they didn’t think she would make it, and we should take Linley home to prepare for her passing.
I was so angry with the Lord and devastated. I did everything I could to try and rationalize to myself why this could be happening, and I eventually resorted to blaming myself. I thought, “Perhaps I’ve done something bad, and God is punishing me now.” I know that I’ve seen similar theories to this in regards to COVID-19; some have hypothesized that humanity deserves this or that we’re experiencing God’s wrath.
First, it’s important to note that “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” The Bible also says that the fair consequence for sin is death. In that way, we all deserve to die. But instead, we can have everlasting life because Jesus, the Son of God, bore the punishment for our sins by dying for us on the cross (John 3:16). Every single person, including you and me, has already been given far more than they could ever earn or deserve; we have the ability to live with our Creator God forever in Heaven, even though we have sinned against Him.
Because of this truth, it’s irrational for us to assume that we have done something bad and that God is punishing us (although there are indeed consequences for our sin while on this earth). God has redeemed us from the sin we brought upon ourselves and promised us eternal life with Him! His Son paid for our sins. His aim is not to make us pay (that debt has been paid by His Son); it’s the very opposite. He has saved us. He wants us to have a close personal relationship with Him. Knowing this truth, we can put the blame game to rest. Still, however, it doesn’t erase our wondering and our questioning of why God would allow such terrible things to happen. After all, if He can redeem us from the ultimate punishment, soul death, can’t He redeem what we are going through on earth? The answer is yes.
The Bible speaks to this conundrum of going through difficulties under the sovereignty of a Great Redeemer in multiple places, but one that particularly stands out comes from John 16:33.
Jesus had just finished explaining to His disciples that they would experience much pain and grief but that it would be redeemed in the end as a way to foreshadow His crucifixion. At the end of the chapter, He explains, “I have told you all these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
The truth is that we still live in a fallen world where we have free will, and therefore, the ability to influence with our choices, whether they be righteous or sinful. Just as one doctor’s mistake flipped my daughter’s life upside down, and one vicious virus started with one person (most likely in China), our mistakes can change trajectories. But I know that God is in the business of “working things together for the good of those who love Him” because He used one horrible medical mistake to work incredible good in the lives of many, including my own.
Praise be to God, my daughter did not pass away, despite predictions from doctors. Instead, she lives a life far different from the one I originally imagined for her. She has severe special needs and has had more intensive surgeries than I can count. But she is also an inspiration to myself and many others because of her uniqueness. I’ve learned so much about joy and empathy through Linley, and the Lord has touched the lives of many through her story. Similarly, I think many of us are seeing good come from the bad of COVID-19.
Whether it’s improved family relationships, more time spent with God and His Word or more time to reflect and think on the things in our lives that truly matter, many of us are experiencing God’s redemption amid chaos in small yet meaningful ways. Our churches are seeing dramatic increases in attendance through online videos and webcasts, and many people are spending more time listening to Christian podcasts.
On the flip side, many are experiencing extreme tragedy. Perhaps they are suffering from sickness or have a loved one who has been taken by the virus. Just as Jesus assured us that we will have trouble in this world, I want to affirm those individuals who are going through an especially trying time and acknowledge the severity of their pain and suffering. These individuals need our prayers and practical support.
But to those who are in the midst of something trying, I encourage you to take heart in the truth that Jesus has overcome the world. There is nothing too painful in this life that He can’t somehow redeem. And while we are suffering and redemption seems far away, we can cling to the truth that He is our ever-present help in times of trouble.
As we continue to fight the indefinite battle against COVID-19, we can lay our questions and our blame games aside as we best can, and instead, take heart in the One who has saved us, redeems us and has overcome this world. He loves us and wants us to draw nearer to Him in times of trouble and trust Him that He is in control and that He’s got this. To worry and not be at peace is not trusting in God or not believing that He cares or has the ability to do anything. Those worries and disbeliefs are nothing more than Satan trying to deceive us and separate us from God. God uses trials like these to show us how strong or weak our faith is. When we can draw closer to Him in faith in times like these, it evidences that we do indeed have saving faith and that the Holy Spirit truly lives in us and is working to give us peace and trust in the Lord. So who are you trusting in today?