Betrayed by God: Navigating Faith's Toughest Test

When Faith Feels Shattered: Coping with Feeling Betrayed by God

Do you feel betrayed by God in your chronic illness, chronic pain, mental illness, or disability? Perhaps it was the lost of a job, death of a loved one or a dream that caused you to experience God as far away. Experiencing this sense of betrayal can deeply challenge your faith. When you've passionately prayed for healing, restoration, or relief, believing in God's intervention as His beloved child, and yet found disappointment as weeks turned into months, it can leave a bitter taste in your mouth. Dreams unfulfilled, pain unresolved, and relationships strained can lead to a profound sense of betrayal, intensifying the challenges posed by chronic conditions.

If you're grappling with the sensation of being let down by God in the midst of your chronic struggles, remember that you are not alone. There is hope and healing available when you choose to trust God, even in the face of these difficult circumstances. In this article, we will delve into the complex emotions of feeling betrayed by God in the context of chronic illness, chronic pain, mental health challenges, or disabilities. We will offer guidance on navigating this challenging journey, discussing the importance of embracing your emotions, seeking support, and rebuilding faith in the midst of adversity.

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Common Question For Those Who Feel God Has Betrayed Them

When people feel betrayed or let down by God, they often ask questions like:

Father, why have you betrayed me?
Do you really care what happens to me?
Why didn't you stop this?
If you're good, why does life hurt so much?
Does my pain matter to you?
Why won't you just take this away?

There are no simple answers to these tough questions. When you ask them, though, know that you're not the only one. At some point in their lives, many people have felt like God had let them down in the midst of great suffering.

Why Is God Silent When We Feel Betrayed?

In response to the painful questions that can threaten to tear us apart, it often seems as if God is silent. This can feel like an insult to injury, an abandonment in the face of our deepest grief.

Why, oh why, is God silent?

David, the prayer warrior and man after God's own heart, wrestled with similar questions during his lifetime. In Psalm 13:1-2, while hiding out in a cave, David penned these words:

"How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?"

It is normal to wonder where God is during a tragedy. It doesn't mean our faith is weak or that God has left us alone.

Consider a child who falls on the playground in front of his father. The first thing he does is lift his eyes to see if his father noticed. He needs to know his father sees his pain and that it causes him to act.

In these moments, the father runs to comfort his beloved child. He scoops the boy up and holds him close.

The loving father doesn't offer an explanation for the child's pain—knowing that his boy is still too small to grasp it. He doesn't offer a prescription for the child's pain—knowing that wise words won't stem the bleeding.

Instead, he offers something far more tender and reassuring. Something only a father could give. He offers the gift of his presence and in doing so, he murmurs the same words again and again, "Daddy's here. Daddy's here."

God is the same. He may not always answer our prayers in the way we want, but he is always present with us in our pain. He may not offer us an explanation for our suffering, but he offers us the gift of his love and comfort.

When we feel betrayed by God, it is important to remember that we are not alone. God is with us, even in our darkest moments. He may not always be silent, but he is always listening.

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Why Did God Allow This?

It's one thing to believe that God loves us deeply and passionately. It's a belief that can strengthen and inspire us in the midst of discouragement and minor setbacks.

Yet, it's another thing to believe that God is all-powerful. It's a truth that many Christians wrestle with. Sure, it's comforting at first. God is in control—we want to put that on bumper stickers and cross-stitch it on decorative pillows.

But what about when there's another mass school shooting? Only it isn't at some other high school. It's at your child's.

What about when there's a factory explosion? Only it isn't overseas. It's where your spouse works. What about when there's a horrible car accident? Only it isn't someone else's family that doesn't come home. It's yours.

Suddenly that beautiful belief that God is powerful hurts. Because He didn't intervene. He didn't stop this. He stood by and let it happen.

The One who formed the Universe didn't keep that car from careening into yours. The One who calls the stars by name let your child be born mute and deaf. The One who breathes life into each human being didn't stop your son from ending his life.

These are difficult questions, and there are no easy answers. But it's important to remember that you are not alone in asking them. Many people have struggled with the question of why God allows suffering.

Here are a few things to consider:

God is still good, even when bad things happen. The Bible tells us that God is "good all the time" (Psalm 25:8). This doesn't mean that He causes bad things to happen, but it does mean that He is able to use them for good (Romans 8:28).
God gives us free will. God created us in His image, and part of that image is the ability to choose. This means that we have the freedom to make good choices and bad choices. When we make bad choices, it often leads to suffering.
God is working behind the scenes. Even though we may not always understand why God allows suffering, we can trust that He is working all things together for our good and His glory (Romans 8:28).

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Would the Answer Change the Pain?

God, as sovereign and kind as He is, could surely answer all of your questions. He could part the heavens in this moment, come down and explain everything if He chose to. And certainly, there are those who have gone through trauma and can testify that God revealed His purpose to them during their trials.

But even if God gave you a complete explanation, the truth is: the answers wouldn't change your pain. You see, understanding something intellectually doesn't alter your emotions. It doesn't heal your heart. It doesn't put the broken pieces of your life back together again.

Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, fully understood why He was about to face a horrific death. He grasped that this was God's perfect plan of redemption and He knew that His death would accomplish the saving of millions of lives.

And yet, the part of Jesus that was human, wrestled with this heartbreak. Hear how His cries echo our own in Mark 14:36, "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me." (NIV)

In Luke 22:44, the writer points out that Jesus isn't just suffering mentally and emotionally in the garden.

His pain is so intense, it's affecting Him physically, "And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." (NIV)

This passage is a powerful reminder that even Jesus, the Son of God, experienced deep pain and suffering. He didn't understand all of the reasons why He had to suffer, but he trusted God's plan.

If you are feeling like God has betrayed you, it is important to remember that you are not alone. Jesus understands your pain. He is with you in your suffering.

And even though God may not give you all the answers you want, you can trust that He is working all things together for your good and His glory (Romans 8:28).

What To Do When You Feel God Has Betrayed You?

When you feel like God has betrayed you, it can be one of the most difficult experiences of your life. It can shake your faith to the core and leave you feeling lost and alone. But it's important to remember that you are not alone in this. Many people have felt betrayed by God at some point in their lives.

Here are some things you can do to cope with feeling betrayed by God:

Allow yourself to feel your emotions. It's okay to be angry, hurt, confused, and even sad. God gave you each emotion for a reason. Don't try to bottle up your emotions or pretend that you're okay when you're not.
Talk to someone you trust. This could be a friend, family member, therapist, or pastor. It can be helpful to talk to someone who understands what you're going through and can offer support.
Read the Bible. God's Word is full of stories of people who felt betrayed by God. But it's also full of stories of God's faithfulness and love. Reading the Bible can help you to see that God is still with you, even when you feel like He's abandoned you.
Pray. Prayer is a way to communicate with God and share your feelings with Him. Even if you don't feel like it, try to pray anyway. Even if you don't know what to say, just tell God how you're feeling.
Give yourself time. Healing from feeling betrayed by God takes time and patience. Don't expect to feel better overnight. Be gentle with yourself and allow yourself to grieve the loss of your trust in God.
Keep an eternal perspective. It's also important to remember that this life is just a temporary journey. Our time on earth is short compared to eternity. When we keep an eternal perspective, we can start to see our current trials and tribulations in a different light. We can realize that our suffering is not meaningless and that God is still working His good purposes in our lives, even when we can't see it.

It's also important to remember that God loves you and wants what's best for you. He is not indifferent to your suffering. Even when it feels like He's silent, He is still with you.

If you are struggling to cope with feeling betrayed by God, please reach out for help. Talk to a trusted friend, family member, therapist, or pastor. There are also many online resources and support groups available.

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Final Thoughts on Feeling Betrayed by God

Remember that healing within the Christian life from feeling betrayed by God is a gradual process that takes time. Be patient with yourself and make room for personal growth and understanding. It's completely acceptable to have questions and doubts; they are an inherent part of the Christian experience. Most importantly, extend kindness to yourself and keep in mind that you are not alone in your Christian journey.

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About the Author:

Corine Williams, Ph.D. is Clinical Psychologist that is currently seeing clients in the States of Maryland, New Jersey, and New York. You can find out more about her practice by visiting www.therapyforchristians.com/corinewilliams. In addition to providing individual therapy, Dr. Williams is also passionate about writing books and designing merchandise that educate, uplift, and normalize mental health subject in the Christian community. You can find out more about her at www.booksbycorine.com or by visiting her amazon profile here: https://www.amazon.com/Corine-Hyman/e/B00AWZ5FL2

Help us increase mental health awareness in the Christian community by donating through our paypal link here: www.paypal.com/therapyforchristians, joining our mailing list by clicking below, or join our provider list here: Provider listing

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