Do we trust that God will take care of us and has things under control? When life gets difficult, shaky, or painful, we may find ourselves wondering what we may have done to deserve this fate. Often, we go to great lengths to explain suffering away, as if it has no purpose and ought not to exist.
In an attempt to get God on our side in our battle against suffering, our prayer can mirror a question asked by the disciples: do you not care that we are perishing?
As we are asking that question of God, God is asking of us: do you not yet have faith?
It is for certain that God does not intentionally inflict pain upon us. God has no sinister plot to test our faith or trip us up. Rather, the unconditional, restorative, and rejuvenating power of God’s love can bring light out of the greatest darkness and gives hope in the midst of deep despair.
We have to be patient and ride out the storm. It is our task to deepen our faith that God will calm the wind and draw meaning out of that which seems senseless.