Thanks for sharing with me about your background; it helps me to

understand. There are no pat answers. Faith is a very fragile thing. I

have not been tested in the same degree you have, so I certainly do not

judge you. However, as I read your letter, tears of compassion began to

form in my eyes. If I, being a frail, sinful man, can feel compassion over

the suffering of a stranger, how much more does your Father in heaven grieve

over this estrangement?

I realize that you are very tired of pat answers. Perhaps my answers are no

better than others you've heard, but, at least test them out to see if there

is something different here:

A philosopher once said, after seeing the pain and suffering of war, "Either

God cares, and has no power, or has power, and does not care." Such

thinking usually does not take into account the reality of Satan.

In this universe we see the activities of two supernatural beings, not

always knowing who is doing what. The Bible clearly explains that God is

stronger, yet Satan is still active. Why?

God's 1st law is the Law of Choice. Each being has the choice to serve Him

or fight Him. Without choice, love does not exist, and God is love.

But, under the 1st Law, Satan could choose to destroy all God's beloved

creatures, so there must be an equally powerful 2nd Law: The Law of Divine

Intervention. Neither law can rule supreme. If God were constantly

intervening, choice would disappear. If choice reigned supreme, so would

chaos.

The 3rd part of this equation is the most amazing. In this delicately

balanced power struggle between a loving God and a chaotic evil, God has

chosen us, insignificant man, to cast the deciding vote.

Satan sees our weaknesses, and attacks us to make us fall, cursing God. God

allows it, to draw our attention to our flaws, that we may, through His

provision, strengthen ourselves and stand up to Satan. It may sound cruel,

but we must realize that God is love, and He's been at this a very long

time. He knows our frame and how much we can stand. God is not finished

with you yet. You are still in the building phase. You will come through

this stronger than when you entered this valley.

I used to get up early Saturday mornings to watch an artist on TV. One of

the children from the audience would come up and scribble on the clean sheet

of the artist. Then the child would tell the artist to make his scribbles

into a certain animal. Every time, the artist created a work of art. Satan

scribbles in our lives. If we hand the chalk to God, He will make the

wounds of Satan bear flowers. He will demonstrate His supreme power over

Satan by blessing us through the evil intents of Satan. Can anything be

more frustrating to Satan than to see his most earnest attempts at evil turn

out to the glory of God? Be patient, God is still working on your wounds.

Trust Him. He loves you very much.