On a global scale, the problems we face today have not been experienced to this degree in any other time period. On the other hand, we also see good, contribution and freedom that counters some of the world’s depravity. We are more educated and are better provided with multiple resources and aid than ever before. Nonetheless, we encounter needs and complications on an ever growing daily basis. How do we resolve and make sense of these events of the world? How does it shape our perception of God’s love when we see our world and people in hurt? How do we counter the challenging views that question and/or undervalue the Bible and God’s compassion and mercy?

Most people do believe in God, but like the early Israelites, because we cannot see Him, it’s harder to reconcile the peace of God in a world of hate. Therefore, the world rejects God and defaults to finding hope in man through temporary solutions.  On the contrary, faith is the evidence unseen. We do witness God’s love and compassion through the Word and see his effects through people, events and prayers. This world is definitely in pain and we see horrible events around our country and world. But as a people, where is our hope? Who is more constant and unchanging? What is the power that saves us? When does our fear turn into faith? How do we find hope, peace and love in a world of chaos? These are some of the questions I was asked by an atheists friend. Yes, a friend. If we are true disciples we are lovers of both our neighbors and strangers. My friend was bombarded by the hurt, evil and destruction seen in this world. He actually told me he wanted to shut out the world, move on an island and build a bomb shelter.

His whole point was to save yourself because no one nor God will. I was stunned by his emotion. I was not stunned by his reasoning. I felt that he was right in the first half of his sentence - not putting your hope in people. The destruction of our world is horrible and does appear void of hope – especially trying to find that hope in a man. I shared with him how I understand why he feels the way he does. I see the same spread of hurt and violence that bothers me as well. I mentioned that sometimes, I want to build a shelter away from the evil of the world myself.

My friend was obviously hurting and was trying to resolve the matters in his terms, by running away and to hide. He was shutting off the world by cutting-off himself. But there was a bigger thing that bothered me. He was really running away from God – not the world.

True, if we take the world at face value, it offers us nothing eternal. All the turmoil we see on the earth is enough to hide our eyes and turn away. It is impossible in our own attempts to save the world from its problems. People for eons have been trying to “save the world,” or make a "change" but no human ever has resolved all of humanity's issues – ever! When trying to resolve one problem, we move to another only to find that our previous repair has been breached.  This is like going through one broken band-aid after another, until our supply is empty. I could (still can) see why my friend felt so strongly in his reasoning and emotion.

A curious thing happened. A change in the air was experienced. You could feel the winds of fury dying. A clearing was taking place, like a beacon in the stormy night to a stranded sailor. I listened to this man; his voice began to change. He quieted his tone. The sails of his anger were coming down. He whispered to me in a still small voice that said: “thank you.” I was stunned again. I asked him why. He explained by saying that he just needed someone to listen. He needed someone to validate his feelings, rather than to disagree and argue.

He was afraid that he might appear “ungodly” or “crazy,” in the perspective of other people. I sided with him in letting him know that it's only human to experience these feelings. When we get older, somehow we become too adult to "feel," and shrug-off our emotions because either we were told by somebody else: "we shouldn't feel that way," "you're a grown up," or the hollier-than-thou statements like: "you should pray more, read your Bible and act holy." While the later statements reflect things we do to grow in our relationship with God - they are good, but in the moment of pain they are not as helpful. Sometimes (more than others) we need to grieve. Look at Job when he lost everything. He was miserably distressed. Oh, and look what happened. His friends came around the corner, insisting and questioning that he was in some sort of sin that caused this calamity. Is that really the way to treat a friend? But we do this, even to strangers.

God has built us with certain emotions. The beauty, is how our emotions are guided back to His presence by the His gentle hand. He rescues, restores and renews our entire being. In receiving His care, we find peace, healing and love from the hurt in the world and the hurt within ourselves.

Back to my friend. His experience and fears only reinforced his anxiety and reactions. Here’s the fact: my friend was only reflected how others were treating him (like Job's friends). People can be very cruel. Another truth is: God is very angry over sin and the ways of the world – shutting Him out, casting him aside. See, I began to understand that the more we truly listen to people, we are truly loving them. Empathy and compassion or actions and reflections of God's love. People see the invisible hand/love/care of God as He is working through you. God is truly revealing himself. Isn’t this what Jesus meant, when he said “they will know us by our love?” (Jn. 13:35).

Many times people claim: "where is God? If He were here, why doesn't he defeat the Devil and all of evil now." Again, it's human to question. It's faith to see that God is here as He works through His people. No the people who claim to be His and act like Job's friends, but the ones who live in complete honesty, sincerity and frailty whose difference is the authentic love of Christ working living in them. We do not understand the ways of God. He never asked us to understand, He asked us to trust Him. Unlike our earthly fathers who have failed us, God has never failed us, even when it came to His own Son's death and Resurrection. As a people, we have failed each other and God. I am thankful, that God does not reject us in the way the world does.

Where and how do we find the love of God?
1  I will extol the LORD at all times;
       his praise will always be on my lips.
 2 My soul will boast in the LORD;
       let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

 3 Glorify the LORD with me;
       let us exalt his name together.
 4 I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
       he delivered me from all my fears.

 5 Those who look to him are radiant;
       their faces are never covered with shame.
 6 This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
       he saved him out of all his troubles.

 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
       and he delivers them.
 8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
       blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

Where do we find Life and acceptance in Christ?
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." Jn. 16:23