Given by Rev. Bijan Mirtolooi

TODAY'S SCRIPTURE | Habakkuk 1

Habakkuk 1 describes a man asking God hard, uncomfortable questions, and being unsettled by the answers God gives. We need to start here—with hard questions—because experiences of suffering always raise hard questions. We need to encourage honesty in wrestling with a God whose ways are often confusing and frustrating. If we don’t help people know that it’s safe, even encouraged, to bring their hard questions to God, they’ll be more prone to deconstruct their faith when they experience suffering (in their own lives or the lives of those around them). What’s more, as Habakkuk brings his hard questions to God, he finds God to be so patient, gracious, and tender. By asking hard questions we experience a particular kind of intimacy with God, the kind of intimacy that mirrors Christ in Gethsemane: “Take this cup away from; nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.”