Friday, November 27, 2009

When People Ask Hard Questions

Camy here, talking about something a little more serious than normal (for me). At youth group the other night, one of the girls asked what to say when a friend or someone asks a really hard question, like if they’re going to hell because they don’t believe in Jesus, or why bad things happen, or something like that.

In youth group, we’re doing a year-long study on evangelism and God’s mission and God’s will, and we’d just covered something that I told to the girls—God’s Spirit is in us to help us.

The Bible talks about how the Holy Spirit gives us the words to say in difficult situations. And sometimes the Spirit doesn’t want us to say anything. And that’s okay.

It’s not up to us to make someone believe—it’s up to God and the Holy Spirit to convict a person. We are not responsible for anyone’s salvation, so don’t freak out thinking you’ve made someone turn away from God forever and they’re going to die in their sins because of you. That’s just not true. God has His hand over every person.

And sometimes, a conversation is not for that person, but for our benefit instead. Sometimes, there’s something God is trying to teach us.

There’s also a point you have to reach where you’re not going to understand everything. And it’s okay. We’re not meant to understand everything. We’re not meant to understand everything God does or allows—that’s what makes Him God and us human. Sometimes, His motivations are just too far out there for us to see or comprehend.

Maybe it’s because I’m getting older, but I have reached a point where I just love believing in God. I love being a Christian. Jesus rocks! And so what if I can’t explain exactly why I believe in Christ, why God exists, why I believe in the infallibility of the Bible. I just do. And I like believing. And no one can take that away from me, not with any arguments. I like being a Christian. Other people just have to deal with it.

So when you’re put in a hard situation, pray to God to give you the words to say. And be willing to say whatever He asks of you. And be aware that sometimes, He doesn’t want you to say anything.

And most important, trust in God. He’s got complete control of a situation no matter how it looks, no matter how completely incomprehensible and non-understandable it is.

Camy Tang writes romance with a kick of wasabi. Out now is her humorous contemporary romance novel, Single Sashimi, and her romantic suspense, Deadly Intent. She also runs the Story Sensei critique service. In her spare time, she is a staff worker for her church youth group, and she leads one of the worship teams for Sunday service. On her blog, she gives away Christian novels and ponders frivolous things. Sign up for her newsletter YahooGroup for giveways!

6 comments:

Diane Marie Shaw said...

Camy, this is so beautifully written. When we remember what you have stated it takes the fear out of getting into difficult conversations. The Holy Spirit is ever our helper.
Have a wonderful Christmas season. Diane
needmorewordscs.blogspot.com

Fliterary said...

Great post, Camy. I like several of your points, especially that no one can take away what we believe and know about God. The neat thing is, with all our varying backgrounds we can show what God has done in our lives. Bad things happen but God redeems, heals, and restores. I'm with you -- Jesus rocks!

Camy Tang said...

Diane--thanks for your sweet words! Have a great Christmas season to you, too!

Lisa--I love your point about our varying backgrounds! Thanks!

Camy

emii said...

That was an awesome post... and when the time comes, I'll be listening for God's voice... or trying. I still don't know how to hear it.. or maybe I do, subconsiously?

Luv,Emii

Camy Tang said...

Emii, this is what I tell my high schoolers--you know how when you read the Bible and sometimes a verse will just hit you? Or the words seem to jump out of the page at you and convict you? That's the Holy Spirit speaking to you. So when you're interacting with people, be listening for a nudge like that in your spirit.

And don't worry--if God really wants to tell you something, there's nothing you could ever do to prevent Him from speaking to you!
:)

Camy

emii said...

Thanks, Cami:)