Where Is God When We Suffer?

To what degree can we rely on God to be with us? Is He really someone we can turn to at all...in times of crisis as well as times of calm?

Tragedy, Disaster, Sadness: Where is God?

God is the Creator of the universe who yearns for us to know Him. That is why we are all here. It is His desire that we rely on and experience His strength, love, justice, holiness and compassion. So He says to all who are willing, "Come to Me."

Unlike us, God knows what will happen tomorrow, next week, next year, the next decade. He says, "I am God, and there is no one like me, declaring the end from the beginning."¹ He knows what will happen in the world. More importantly, He knows what will occur in your life and can be there for you, if you've chosen to include Him in your life. He tells us that He can be "our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble."² But we must make a sincere effort to seek Him. He says, "you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart."³

That doesn't mean that those who know God will escape difficult times. They won't. When a terrorist attack causes suffering and death, those who know God will be involved in that suffering also. But there is a peace and a strength that God's presence gives. One follower of Jesus Christ put it this way: "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed."⁴ Reality tells us that we will experience problems in life. However, if we go through them while knowing God, we can react to them with a different perspective and with a strength that is not our own. No problem has the capacity to be insurmountable to God. He is bigger than all the problems that can hit us, and we are not left alone to deal with them.

God's Word tells us, "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him."⁵ And, "The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them."⁶

Jesus Christ told His followers these comforting words: "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore do not fear; you are of more value than many sparrows."⁷ If you truly turn to God, He will care for you as no one else does, and in a way that no one else can.

Tragedy, Disaster, Sadness: Our Free Will

God has created humanity with the ability to choose. This means that we are not forced into a relationship with Him. He allows us to reject Him and to commit other evil acts as well. He could force us to be loving. He could force us to be good. But then what kind of relationship would we have with Him? It would not be a relationship at all, but a forced, absolutely controlled obedience. Instead He gave us the human dignity of free will.

Naturally, we cry from the depths of our souls..."But God, how could You let something of this magnitude happen?"

How would we want God to act? Do we want Him to control the actions of people? In the case of dealing with a terrorist attack, what could possibly be an acceptable number of deaths for God to allow?! Would we feel better if God allowed only the murder of hundreds? Would we rather God allowed only the death of one person? Yet if God would prevent the murder of even one person, there is no longer freedom to choose. People choose to ignore God, to defy God, to go their own way and commit horrible acts against others.

Tragedy, Disaster, Sadness: Our World

This planet is not a safe place. Someone might shoot us. Or we might be hit by a car. Or we might have to jump from a building attacked by terrorists. Or any number of things that might happen to us in this harsh environment called Earth, the place where God's will is not always followed.

Yet, God is not at the mercy of people, but the other way around. We are at His mercy, fortunately. This is God who created the universe with its uncountable stars, simply by speaking the words, "Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky."⁸ This is God who says He "reigns over the nations."⁹ He is unlimited in power and wisdom. Though problems seem insurmountable to us, we have an incredibly capable God who reminds us, "Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too hard for Me?"¹⁰ Somehow He is able to maintain the freedom of sinful humans, yet still bring about His will. God clearly says, "My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all My purpose."¹¹ And we can draw comfort from that if our lives are submitted to Him. "For God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble."¹²

Fears, Tragedy, Disaster: Where Is God Now?

Many of us -- no, all of us -- choose at times to stiff-arm God and His ways. Compared to others, certainly compared to a terrorist, we might consider ourselves to be respectable, loving people. But in the raw honesty of our own hearts, if we were to face God, it would be with the knowledge of our sin. As we begin to address God in prayer, are we not caught short, paused by the sense that God is well aware of our thoughts, actions and self-centeredness? We have...by our lives and actions...distanced ourselves from God. We have often lived like we could run our lives just fine without Him. The Bible says that "We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way."¹³

The consequences? Our sin has separated us from God, and it affects more than this life. The penalty for our sin is death, or eternal separation from God. However, God has provided a way for us to be forgiven and know Him.

Inner Strength Through God's Love

God came to earth to rescue us. "For God so loved the world, that he sent his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."¹⁴

God knows the pain and suffering we encounter in this world. Jesus left the safety and security of His home, and entered the hard environment we live in. Jesus got tired, knew hunger and thirst, battled accusations from others and was ostracized by family and friends. But Jesus experienced far more than daily hardships. Jesus, the Son of God in human form, willingly took all of our sin on Himself and paid our penalty of death. "In this is love, that he laid down his life for us."¹⁵ He went through torture, dying a slow, humiliating death of suffocation on a cross, so that we could be forgiven.

Jesus told others ahead of time that He would be crucified. He said that three days after His death He would come back to life, proving that He is God. He didn't say He would reincarnate someday. (Who would know if He actually did it?) He said three days after being buried He would show Himself physically alive to those who saw His crucifixion. On that third day, Jesus' tomb was found empty and many people testified to seeing Him alive.

He now offers us eternal life. We don't earn this. It is a gift from God offered to us, which we receive when we ask Him to enter our lives. "The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus."¹⁶ If we repent of our sin and turn back to God, we can have the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. It's pretty simple. "God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."¹⁷ He wants to enter our lives.

Inner Strength Through God's Plan

What about heaven? The Bible says that God has "set eternity in the hearts of men."¹⁸ Maybe that means we know, in our hearts, what a better world would look like. The death of people we love convinces us that there's something very wrong with this life and this world. Somewhere deep down in our souls, we know that there must be a much better place to live, free from heart-wrenching difficulties and pain. To be sure, God does have a better place He offers us. It will be a completely different system in which His will is done all the time. In this world, God will wipe every tear from people's eyes. There will be no more mourning, crying, death or pain.¹⁹ And God, by His Spirit, will dwell in people in such a way that they will never sin again.²⁰

The events of a terrorist attack are horrific enough. Refusing an eternal relationship with God, which Jesus offers you, would be worse. Not just in light of eternal life, but there is no relationship which compares to knowing God in this life. He is our purpose in life, our source of comfort, our wisdom in confusing times, our strength and hope. "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him."²¹

It has been said by some that God is just a crutch. But it is likely that He is the only reliable one.

Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."²² For those who will rely on Jesus during their lives, He says it is like building your life on a Rock. Whatever crises attack you in this life, He can keep you strong.

Inner Strength Through God's Son

You can receive Jesus into your life right now. "To all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God."²³ It is through Jesus Christ that we can come back to God. Jesus said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me."²⁴ Jesus offered, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him."²⁵

Right now you can ask God to enter your life. You can do this through prayer. Prayer means talking honestly with God. At this moment you can call out to God by telling Him something like this in sincerity:

"God, I have turned away from You in my heart, but I want to change that. I want to know You. I want to receive Jesus Christ and His forgiveness into my life. I don't want to be separated from You anymore. Be the God of my life from this day onward. Thank you God."

Have you just now sincerely asked God into your life? If you have, you have a lot to look forward to. God promises to make your present life one of greater satisfaction through knowing Him.²⁶ Where is God? He promises to make His home in you.²⁷ And He gives you eternal life.²⁸

No matter what happens in the world around you, God can be there for you. Though people do not follow God's ways, God is able to take horrible circumstances and bring about His plan anyway. God is ultimately in control over world events. If you are God's, then you can rest on the promise that, "All things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose."²⁹

Jesus Christ said, "My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."³⁰ He promises never to fail us or forsake us.³¹

To grow in your knowledge of God and His will for your life, read the sections Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John in the Bible.

Dedication

There were once two boys who both used to visit a statue of Shiv Ji which was near their village. The first boy used to visit Shiv Ji’s statue to pray and seek their blessings whereas the second boy would visit Shiv Ji’s statue to hurl stones at it. Although the first boy used to come earlier in the day the second boy used to spend just as much time with Shiv Ji’s statue. Unlike the first boy the second boy had to come under the cover of darkness as to throw stones at Shiv Ji’s statue was a great sin which would be severely punished if anyone caught the boy in the act.

One day as the first boy was about to set off to visit the statue it started to rain very heavily. The boy looked outside his window and decided to wait until the rain had stopped. As soon as the rain eased up the boy set foot outside but was called back by his mother who told him that diner was ready. The boy thought for a while and then decided that he would go and visit the statue after he had finished eating. When the boy finished eating, he quickly got up and went outside. As he was walking towards the statue his father who was coming back from work caught hold of him and told him to go back to the house as it was now very dark. The boy protested but in the end did what his father asked him to do.

As all this was happening the clouds opened up again and rain began to fall to the earth once more. The second boy who was at home picked up some stones and headed towards the statue. Although the boy could hear his mother he ignored her as he thought that he could eat his food after he had thrown the stones at Shiv Ji’s statue. On the way to the statue the boy met many people who told him to come into their homes so that he wouldn’t get wet and catch a cold. Despite their pleas the boy ignored them and continued on his way.

When he reached Shiv Ji’s statue he started throwing stones in the usual way. The second boy was the only person who visited Shiv Ji’s statue that day.

Shiv Ji pleased with the dedication of the boy took the form of an old man and appeared before him. The old man said, “What do you want from this world son? Is there anything that I can give you?”

The boy looked at the old man and started laughing. He then said, “Can you really give me anything?”

The old man nodded his head. The boy still laughing said, “Ok, give me big horns.”

As soon as the boy said this horns began to grow from his head. When he returned to the village people began to hurl stones at him and eventually after being hit many times he died.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

The true cure

Once a beggar, who was inflicted with leprosy heard about the greatness of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj and his beloved Sikh, Sant Baba Harnaam Singh Ji. The beggar slowly made his way to where Sant Ji was staying and asked Sant Ji’s students if he could meet Sant Ji. The students took the beggar to Sant Ji. After bowing before the King of this world and the next, Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj the beggar exchanged greetings with Sant Ji. He then said, “Oh Saint of saints, beloved of Guru Nanak, light of Akaal Purakh I have heard of thousands of people being healed by your holy sight. Please be merciful and shower this cripple with your grace.”

Sant Ji looked at the beggar and said, “You are wrong. I am a mere mortal who has no such powers. If you want to be healed then Gurbani and only Gurbani can do this such is the power of the house of Dhan Guru Nanak Dev Ji Maharaj.”

Sant Ji then told his students to take the beggar to the sarovaar and help him take a bath. He then requested them to wrap the beggar in a white sheet and to bring him into Darbar Sahib.

When the beggar was brought back Sant Ji and his students did an ardas before reciting Sri Sukhmani Sahib Ji thirteen times. It took almost 15 hours to complete the thirteen recitations. After the recital was complete Sant Ji did another ardas in front of Dhan Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj. At the conclusion of this ardas Sant Ji himself removed the white sheet, which the beggar was covered in to reveal a completed cured individual.

Sant Ji then said, “Dhan Dhan Satguru Sri Guru Arjan Dev Ji Maharaj’s holy feet have cured you through his bani, Sri Sukhmani Sahib Ji. Contemplate on the name of Akaal Purakh and live a honest and truthful life.”

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Ghost requests Akhand Paath

The following story is from Katha by Giani Avtar Singh Ji - Badni Kalan Wale. Giani Avtar Singh Ji is the grandson of Sant Giani Gurbachan Singh Ji Khalsa Bhindranwale. The katha is entitled "Sikhi di Rehit," it can be found on gurmatveechar.com

About 20 years ago, a family in India was blessed to have a Sri Akhand Paath Sahib of Guru Granth Sahib Ji Maharaj at their house. Giani Avtar Singh Ji attended the Sri Akhand Paath Sahib. The Paathi Singhs recited the Paath with complete Maryada.

The reason for the Akhand Paath was that a young man (youth) in the family had recently died. After his death, the soul of the young man was wandering and eventually the soul possessed his brother. After entering into his brother's body, the soul spoke and requested that the family should do a Sri Akhad Paath Sahib for him.

Giani Ji in his katha says that through this sakhi, we will understand the importance of Gurbani and also the importance, need and greatness of the Sikh identity given to us by Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj.

After the soul requested that an Akhand Paath be done for him, the family members went to a few places to seek help in performing the Sri Akhand Paath Sahib. Eventually, the family came to Giani Avtar Singh Ji and asked him for help. They requested full tyaar par tyaar Singhs (always ready, spiritually elevated Khalsa Singhs) to do the seva of the Akhand Paath Sahib.

Giani Avtar Singh Ji discussed this with some Gurmukh Singhs and they agreed, then they began the Akhand Paath seva. Giani Avtar Singh Ji mentions that he was present at the Bhog (completion) of the Sri Akhand Paath Sahib. That day, the brother of the dead young man was present there too. It is assumed in the Katha, that the soul of the dead young man would enter and leave the body of his brother from time to time.

The family then prepared some food for Giani Avtar Singh Ji and the Singhs. The brother of the dead man was sitting there too. Other family members were present. Then suddenly, the brother began to feel dizzy and was unaware of his surroundings, he then closed his eyes. The family knew exactly what was going on. The family told Giani Avtar Singh Ji that the soul of the dead man is entering into his brother's body now.

Giani Ji says that after hearing this, he was carefully paying attention to see if they were just pretending or not. Then, while speaking to the brother who was possessed, Giani Ji asked, "What is your name?"

Then Giani Ji asked, "What was the purpose of you coming back if you had already died?"

Then the soul spoke and said "I wasn't supposed to die yet, I still had some years left in my life. What happened was, I became unconscious after being electrocuted. Then my family members put milk into my mouth (thinking it might help). I had no idea what was going on. Due to my family pouring milk into my body, I died, because after a person is electrocuted, water/liquid should not be given to that person."

Giani Ji continued speaking with the soul, and then an important question was asked, "After dying, where did you go?"

Giani then pauses the story for a moment, mentioning that only the souls who have died can tell us these things (about the after life). People like us who are still living don't have the knowledge on these matters.

Continuing on, Giani Ji mentions that the soul replied, "I was taken to a very bad place, hell."

"They took me there (Jamdoots - Angels of Death) and I was very miserable and grieving in pain, just by being there."

Giani Ji then asks, "How did you get released from there?"

Soul replied, "One day, the head person (Dharam Raja) came there to inspect and see what was going on." Giani Ji then explains, that whatever body the soul was in before death, those same qualities are then carried on to the after life. The soul mentioned, that he was kesdhari (kept uncut hair) before his death.

Soul continues saying, "When the head person saw that I was kesdhari, he ordered that I be taken out of hell. Then the head person asked me if I have ever done Paath (Sikh prayers). I replied that I only used to do Paath of Jap Ji Sahib before my death, but not other Gurbani prayers and I have never let scissors touch my hair. Then the head person told me that because of these 2 things: not cutting your hair and doing Jap Ji Sahib Paath, you will be released from hell. If you hadn't done these good deeds, you would've been in hell for ages, who knows how long!"

The soul continues on saying, "I then remembered the sakhi when Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj was explaining to a Sikh named Bhai Dhana Ji, that if a Sikh who has never cut his hair enters into hell, I will pull him out of hell by the hair on his head."

Giani Ji explains that the soul was freed from hell because he had never cut his hair and also he had done Paath of Sri Jap Ji Sahib. This is what caused the soul to enter his brother's body, in order to relay the message to his family, to request that an Akhand Paath Sahib be done for him.

Gurbani's power is limitless. It helps us here and in the after life. Even souls that have already died are thirsting for Gurbani and its power.

Dhan Dhan SatGuru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Sant Kartar Singh Ji in the same light as Christ

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh

Sant Baba Kartar Singh Ji Bhindranwale the 13th Jathedhar of Guru Ji’s Taksal was a puran Brahmgyani. When they were returning home the car Sant Ji was travelling in was involved in an accident. When Mahapursh was found he was very badly hurt. But this saint of Akaal Purakh didn’t cry out in pain or worry about his own body the only thing he was concerned about was his kakkars. That was the only thing Mahapursh kept asking about.

Due to his injuries Sant Ji was taken to the Christian Medical College in Ludhiana. This hospital is run by Christians and most of the doctors who work there are from outside Punjab.

Anyways when Mahapursh was brought into the hospital George, one of the workers I spoke to said everyone could tell that a saint had come. Mahapursh was on everyone’s mind and all the staff would talk amongst themselves about Sant Ji. With Mahapursh there were about 30-40 singhs, Sant Jarnail Singh Ji was one of those Singhs. Sant Jarnail Singh Ji used to do a lot of seva for Mahapursh and George remembers Sant Ji, Mahapursh and the rest of the Singhs with great love.

Many patients who were in the hospital were Sikhs and when they found out that Sant Kartar Singh Ji was in the hospital they went to go and see him. Being blessed with the darshan of Mahapursh was enough to cure some of these patients as in Mahapursh’s room Gurbani was being recited 24 hours a day.

One of the senior surgeons in the hospital was in charge of Sant Ji’s care. When he examined Mahapursh he could feel an intense energy, which was very difficult to put into words. This surgeon began to think of Jesus Christ and began to see Sant Kartar Singh Ji in the same light as Christ.

The surgeon told Mahapursh that he was very badly hurt and that they would have to perform a very big operation which would involve shaving his kesh to save his life. Mahapursh looked at the surgeon and said, “Cut my head off but never even think about cutting this Kesh which Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj has blessed me with.” The surgeon was not surprised by Sant Ji response as he knew that Mahapursh was a man of God who didn’t fear death but feared disappointed his father Satguru Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji Maharaj.

The surgeon then promised to do whatever he could to keep Sant Ji comfortable. To which Mahapursh replied, “In this room the bani of Akaal Purakh is resounding. This is all I need.”

To be continued.

Waheguru Ji Ka Khalsa Waheguru Ji Ki Fateh