Where is God in the midst of pain & suffering?

Praying for the the families who lost loved ones in Newtown, CT ... Jesus, comfort the families and friends who are suffering from the loss of their loved ones. This world is getting darker and darker =/

This was a status that awakened me to the heart-breaking news yesterday morning. I was working from my new Elizabeth apartment, where I do not have television and only have limited internet. Suddenly my phone buzzed with Facebook notifications, informing me of the terribly horrifying shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut. Knowing I didn't have television, Christa (pictured below, click here for a recent story on her) quickly called me to fill me in on the details. I couldn't help but cry out to God, wondering why.

I immediately searched for scripture of comfort, like 2 Corinthians 1:3-7 to send to her and post on the Jersey Metro Cru and Kean Cru facebook pages. Later, Christa posted this status:

I am praying for those families who lost their loved ones in this terrible tragedy ! I couldn't stop the tears from falling today. God I don't know why you allowed such an awful thing to happen today ... but I know that if anyone understands heartache, pain and suffering it's you. GOD YOU GAVE UP YOUR SON JESUS FOR A FALLEN PEOPLE WHO DID NOT WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH YOU. YOU WERE SCORNED, BEATEN, MOCKED, TORTURED, HUNG ON A CROSS and DIED FOR A PEOPLE THAT WOULD REJECT YOU. WOW ! I can hope in a GOD who understands my suffering and my heartache. God is relatable and he allows things to happen to show how fallen this world is and how much it is crying out for it's Redeemer.

I was so proud to read this status of hers. When I called to discuss her appropriately biblical perspective and compassion for those suffering, Christa told me she was inspired by Alyssa Bethke. She is the wife of Christian Spoken Word artist, Jefferson Bethke. When I went to Alyssa's blog to read her perspective of yesterday in light of our Savior, I found such an encouraging article. Alyssa prays at the end:

Thank you that You are not a God who is high on His throne and looks away when evil happens, but rather You are a God who is high on His throne and who came down to earth to suffer and die for us- for sin- for our sin- and who rose again. You are a God who intimately knows our suffering, who suffered more than we will ever know. And rose again, offering HOPE and life for us.

Sometimes it's difficult to remember God is good when we see bad things happen. Growing up, the church of my youth would sing this song: "In times like these you need a Savior, In times like these you need and anchor; Be very sure, be very sure Your anchor holds and grips the Solid rock! This Rock is Jesus, Yes, He's the One; This Rock is Jesus, The only One! Be very sure, be very sure Your anchor holds and grips the Solid rock!"

If you need further encouragement or have more questions about how a good God could allow such evil, please visit everystudent.com, email me, or read this article here.