Where is God?

I have a friend who is going through some rough stuff. Things on a life-altering scale that I could not imagine living through. We went out for dinner and chatted for a while and this question came up in the form of a statement, "I just dont see God in this at all."

Its the same question that has come to my mind when I am praying for this individual, "God, where are you?" Why is there not healing when we are asking for it?

As we were talking over dinner something kind of hit me. I thought of the people Jesus is on the side of: the poor, the oppressed, the sick, the mistreated. All throughout the bible scripture proclaims this. You can check out the "justice" bible which highlights the over 2000 verses with the topic of justice ( http://www.povertyandjusticebible.org). My friend definitely falls into this category.

Then I thought, "how many of those people that we read about in the Bible asked that same question, Where is God?"

Israelites in Egypt.
Abraham ready to sacrifice his son on an altar.
The silent centuries before Christ.
The man blind from birth.
The disciples after their teacher is crucified.
Jesus forsaken on the cross.

How many people who God is passionately fighting for feel abandoned by that very God? How much faith is needed to see beyond our present circumstances to a reality where God gets what he wants?

When God put everything under his Son’s control, nothing was left out.
However, at the present time we still don’t see everything under his Son’s control. (Heb 2:8)

I found this verse a few months ago as I was struggling with similar questions, and it was like a breath of fresh air. Thank God this verse is in the bible. Thank you that I don't have to make up excuses about it being all "in God's perfect plan" that terrible injustices happen to people. That sicknesses break families apart. At this time, we still don't see everything under Jesus' control.
And in the meantime I thank God he can use hard things to make good things. He can allow the experiences we go through to be a way that we can connect to and help others through those circumstances. He can give us hope that this is not the way it should be, and this is not the way it will be. He can give us the tools to be people who carry out his justice in this world.

They were brought into Israel.
God provided a different sacrifice.
The Messiah came.
Jesus restored his sight.
Christ conquered death.
The sacrifice was for us.

If you don't know where God is in your situation, it is likely he is passionately fighting for you. Have faith that this time passes.