A Trial of Faith

One of the purposes of today's fast was "To pray that the hearts of people everywhere will be softened and turned toward the Lord in humility and that faith in Jesus Christ would increase on the earth." The thing is, in times of trial, it's sometimes the case that the opposite might happen. When people face great afflictions, they are tempted to wonder why a good God would allow such things to happen and even whether there is a good God up there at all. One would think that, if God were good, He would protect His children from hardships like this... if it was in our best interest for Him to do so.

Yet, because of the natural laws of this world, because we need to learn and grow in the face of opposition, and sometimes because of our own iniquities, we occasionally need to endure afflictions, and when those times come, we're much better off turning toward God than away from Him. He may or may not have been able to prevent this calamity without causing us greater harm, but He can certainly help us get through it. We need to trust that He has a plan and that His plan is motivated by what's best for everyone, even those affected by the current pandemic.

Some people will suffer greatly, even though they don't deserve it. That was part of the plan from the start; just ask Jesus Christ. But that doesn't change the fact that God's plan was, and is, the best plan possible, even if we don't see all the reasons behind every part of that plan. I trust that God knows what He's doing. To paraphrase a hymn, "[I] doubt not the Lord nor His goodness. [I've] proved Him in days that are past." Now it's His turn to prove us.

Personally, I know that He has a plan. And if His plan involves a global pandemic, so be it. I know that He knows and wants what's best for us, even if that's not what we want for ourselves. I trust Him. I just hope that I trust Him enough to continue to trust Him if/when this situation gets worse.