SO MANY QUESTIONS

“Mommy, I don’t like this medicine. How much longer do I need to take it?”

“Will I grow out of this condition?”

“Why do I have multiple health issues?”

As children mature, so do their questions. Having several school-aged children with chronic health concerns, sometimes I don’t have the answers.

Regularly, I grapple with my limitations. It’s not just that I don’t know how my children’s health issues will play out or why God allows them. There are also physical limitations: my brain can only process so much information and remember so many details, and my body can only stay awake for so many hours and handle so much physical stress.

By God’s design, I’m only human and so are you (I thoroughly appreciate the title of Kelly Kapic’s book: You’re Only Human: How Your Limits Reflect God’s Design and Why That’s Good News). Though our limitations might tempt us to discouragement or frustration, there’s an alternative. A humble recognition of our limitations can lead us to the Lord, who is unlimited. 

OUR LIMITATIONS LEAD US TO GOD

We can easily view our limitations as a dead end, but God intends for them to draw us to Himself. As the author of Hebrews writes: Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Our very limitations invite us to cry out to Jesus:

We don't have all the answers, but You are all-knowing and wise.
We need You, Lord.

We can’t heal sick bodies, but You are merciful and mighty.
We need You, Lord.

We feel out of control, but You are sovereign.
We need You, Lord.

We grow impatient, but You are patient.
We need You, Lord.

We are faithless, but You are faithful.
We need You, Lord.

We sin, but You forgive.
We need You, Lord.

Whether we or our children need help, the Lord welcomes us to go to Him and find comfort in His character. 

STUDYING GOD'S CHARACTER

Studying God’s character has been so good for my soul while I’ve been writing Every Hour I Need You: 30 Meditations for Moms on the Character of God. Here are a few truths I have learned:

1. God reveals his character in Scripture. We don’t have to guess what God is like. For example, God declares this about himself: The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty… (Exodus 34:6-7).
2. There is no one like God. God is in a category all by himself: 

There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, / nor are there any works like yours. (Psalm 86:8)
“To whom then will you compare me, that I should be like him?” says the Holy One. (Isaiah 40:25) and
Who is a God like you,… (Micah 7:18)

3. Jesus is the image of the invisible God. Though we can’t see God, [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation (Colossians 1:15) …For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. (19)

We start the lifelong journey of knowing God at the foot of the cross, gazing at our beautiful, pierced Savior who poured out his blood for the forgiveness of the sins of all those who call on him in faith and trust in him for salvation (Romans 10:9). At the cross, God displays abundant mercy, grace, patience, wisdom, love, generosity, justice—and more.

THE COMFORT OF GOD'S CHARACTER

How does studying God’s character offer comfort when we or the people we love struggle with chronic illness? Our pain (though real and difficult) is not our greatest problem. Our sin is the problem, and for all who follow Jesus, that was dealt with on the cross. Because of this good news, our physical suffering isn’t the end of the story. Instead, we look forward to a future day with God and without pain (Revelation 21:3-4). 

In the meantime, knowing that God sees, knows, and cares about us encourages our hearts (Psalm 139). No matter how difficult our circumstances, the Lord loves us, He is faithful, and we can trust Him (Lamentations 3:22-23). We might not know “Why?” or “How long?” but we can know the Lord, and knowing Him makes all the difference.

PRAYER

Father, we come to You in our time of need, asking for Your mercy and grace. We are limited, but You are not. We can’t heal bodies or save souls, but You can. There is none like You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

• How does God’s character comfort you?
• What difference might studying God’s character make in your heart and home?
• For further reflection, meditate on the Attributes of God. Discover an essential list (with Biblical references) of 200 names of God that can help you get to know God better.