Where Is God?

Where is God?

Chapter 12

Hard Times Are the Access Code

Recently, I was talking to a neighbor of mine, and the subject turned to personal matters. He told me that he was in the middle of a very difficult custody battle with his ex-wife over their children. He was obviously distraught about it. He already had the kids most of the time, and they seemed to be doing well, but she was in legal proceedings to gain the majority of the custody. It was a heartbreaking situation, the kind in which there are no winners. You just hope the damage can be minimized, especially for the kids. We had several conversations during the following weeks about his situation. I got to know him and the children and the rest of his family. My wife and I visited him at his home. He even showed me legal documents that supported his parenting and the current arrangement.

I am always reluctant to take sides on a relationship problem if the other person is not present to speak for himself or herself. It is just too easy to hear a distorted viewpoint from one individual concerning another’s actions or words. So it takes a lot of evidence for me to take sides. My neighbor was not asking me to take sides; however, the more I got to know this man over time, the more it seemed he was a very involved, caring, and competent dad. So one night I told him, “I will pray that you keep custody.” We had had some talks about God, so this wasn’t out of the blue. He was appreciative, and later that night I asked God to move things so that he would keep the kids.

The next day as I arrived home from work, my neighbor walked up to me before I got out of my car. He said, “My ex’s attorney just called. They are dropping the proceedings against me.” He had a look of surprise on his face, and so did I. I wanted God to do something, but I didn’t expect a twenty-four-hour turnaround! After that, more good things happened. My friend and I began having more spiritual discussions about life and God. Our families became closer, and they began going to church with us. They have since moved away, but we try to stay in touch.

Here is the point to this story: problems can bring us closer to God. When we experience a situation beyond our power to fix or control, the best thing we can do is express it and bring it to God. He moves toward us and responds to our heartaches. The nature of having a struggle itself is an entry point to God. As a computer access code gets us to a site for needed information, problems are access codes to God’s presence and help. He is not repelled by our inabilities to keep our lives afloat; He is drawn to it. He opens Himself, His heart, and His help when we are in times of need.

The Bible is full of verses that illustrate this:

The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble (Ps. 9:9Ð10 NLT).

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless (Isa. 40:29 NLT).

Excerpted from the book, Where Is God?

© 2009 Dr. John Townsend

Used with permission from Thomas Nelson, Inc.