Where is God When bad Things Happen?

That is the question asked today in VBS. Don't we all ask this ourselves from time to time?
The children's answer to this question is to believe that He is right there with us. And this is true.
We may not always "see" Him and we may not always "feel" Him...but He is there, providing us with what we need to get through. We often miss Him not because He has left us but because we lose sight. Our focus becomes our circumstances rather than our Father who comforts us and strengthens us. When we lose sight of Him we lose ourselves in the struggle and the storms consume us.
Jesus tells us we will have trouble in this fallen world. He also tells us He will give us peace. He says He will never leave nor forsake us.
Where is God when bad things happen? He is right where He promised He would always be, right here with us.

A Prayer for Restoration

Where is my faith? Where is my peace? Where is my joy? And where is my hope? All i really want, all i truly need can only be found in You. Apart from You i have no faith, no peace, no joy and i have no hope.

Why am i so fearful? Troubled? Downcast? Why do i feel so anxious?

Instead of running to You i find myself running from You.

I ask myself why i do this when i know that anything i put before You will only rob me of my joy and steal my peace. You want to restore these things to me and revive in me a calm heart and quiet spirit.

Still i find myself running...running away from You.

All i have to do is call Your name and You are there but the distractions are too much for me to bear. I wasn't meant to bear them alone but i keep trying...and it is a losing battle and i know it.

Finally i find myself, weary from the struggle. So tired of doing on my own-only to fail again.

Lord, i am calling on You now. My voice is weak but i know You hear me just the same.

Please lift me from this pit i have dug for myself and put my feet back on solid ground.

I need You, Lord. The battle is Yours and i am Yours too.