My Sister’s Birthday

Hebrews 11:39 God was pleased with all of them because of their faith. But not one of them received God’s great promise.

So let me ask you … how do you react when God apparently refuses to answer your prayers – not trivial ones, important ones? How do you respond? Does it test your faith? It certainly does mine.

Today is my sister’s birthday. Her name is Cornelia, although I’ve always called her Cori. She turns sixty-four today.

She studied music, was awarded a Bachelor of Music, and then went to Italy to study the piano. She was well on her way to becoming a concert pianist when, in her mid-twenties, schizophrenia struck.

It’s a terrible disease. She hasn’t worked since and lives in a care facility. The worst part is that she knows that she’s sick. It hurts, it frustrates … she’s attempted suicide multiple times.

I love my sister, I help her as I can, I pray for her, but nothing ever gets any better. And that really tests my faith. “The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective” we’re told in the Bible. Well, not, apparently, when I’m praying for my sister.

“God, why?” From bright, talented, intelligent young woman, budding concert pianist, to this! Why?

I’ve come to the point of realising that in this life at least, He isn’t going to tell me. So now, what do I do with my faith?  How do I handle this dilemma which is way more than mere theology for me? It hurts. Answer: I have to trust in God’s Word. I have to. There’s no other choice.

Speaking of people who’d suffered terribly but never received an answer to the why question, God tells us this:

Hebrews 11:39 God was pleased with all of them because of their faith. But not one of them received God’s great promise.

When it doesn’t make sense, just keep on trusting God. You have to.

That’s His Word. Fresh … for you … today.

‹ Previous Next ›


Blessed by this devotion?

Share it with a friend!


Dig Deeper


Respond


Cara Braum

Enjoyed this. Thank You

Enjoyed this. Thank You