Denise Foerch, PPMCC Spiritual Director
As I think about the fear and loss our Colorado Springs Community has been feeling and experiencing this last week, I wonder what I could say in this article that would bring life and hope. The first thing that comes to mind is a question my Spiritual Director often asks me when I’m telling her about something in my life I’m struggling with – “So where do you see God in all of this?” Sometimes that question is irritating when I’m upset, frustrated or angry. “How am I supposed to see God in this?” is a frequent question I ask myself. Not always with a positive tone. However, I have always eventually found it a very helpful and encouraging question.
It’s a question that we each have to answer individually, because the answer is not a one-size-fits-all answer. Our answer comes as we live within the struggle, pain, and loss. Once we choose to begin looking for God in our circumstances, the answer begins to unfold.
A good place to start is to be honest about what you are feeling. It helps to be directing your honesty toward God. Be real—say it like it feels. You will not shock God with anything you say. Remember God’s love is pure. If you need a reminder of what God’s love is like look at I Corinthians 13:4-8—
“God’s love is patient, kind, not jealous, does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly. God’s love does not seek it’s own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. God’s love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. God’s love never fails.”
This is the Love that is listening to you when you vent your feelings to God. This is part of seeking the answer to our question, ‘Where do I see God in all of this’? It is crucial and often takes the longest to get through. Be patient with yourself. Treat yourself with gentleness and kindness. Give your heart time to move through this time of honest vulnerability with God. It’s choosing to walk (not run) through these feelings that eventually brings the beginning of life and understanding. Life and hope come from being able to see God in all of life. And yet, it’s in the darkest places that our souls need to see God. Your answer will be different from mine. It will look different and feel different, because God’s love is unique for each individual.
What will not be different is that we will each find our answer by choosing to look for God in the storms that come our way regardless of what shape or form they may take.