Don't Know Don't Understand

"I do not see him in the north, for he is hidden. I look to the south, but he is concealed." Job 23:9 NLT

Some things simply cannot be explained because information is missing.

Complex sentences are composed of one independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Like me being dependent on my parents until I reached legal status, the dependent clause is dependent on the independent clause. An independent clause has all the elements that allow it to stand alone: subject, verb, and complete thought. Dependent clauses are missing one or more of the necessary elements.

"When I was a young child" is an example of a dependent clause. The subject and verb are present, but important information is missing. If someone made that statement to me, I would expect more details. What happened when you were a young child? Since I don't know what happened, the clause is senseless and fails to communicate.

Job was lacking information as well. He had faithfully served God but now experienced the loss of practically everything he had-and with no explanation. God seemed far away. Job's questions received no answers. God had given him a dependent clause only but had not finished the statement.

Many things in life don't make sense. A child killed in an accident because a parent was driving drunk. Natural disasters that steal the lives and property of innocent people. People living homeless because no one will offer them a job. Cancer. Other incurable diseases. Family members not caring for their elderly loved ones. Terrorist activity. A spouse lost to depression or Alzheimer's.

Sin's curse is the simple answer, but it doesn't always provide comfort. Knowing sin is behind the cancer that killed their small child doesn't take away the grief the parents face. Believing God is love and is sovereign is a better path to follow.

Many things in life are unexplainable. Some take comfort in thinking God will answer all our questions when we get to heaven-but He may not. Peace and abundant living comes from accepting that God is in control and knows what He's doing, that He acts consistently out of love, and that His plan is always best.

Don't let the unexplainable things of life throw you for a loop. God has them under His control. He will give you the strength to endure and overcome, even when you don't understand.

Prayer: Father, when life happens in ways we can't explain or understand, help us believe that You are in control and that Your plan is best.

Martin Wiles mandmwiles@gmail.com