But, There Is God - Larger Window

This is an excerpt from Larger Window by Devern Fromke

Hannah Whitehall Smith writes. . .

THERE WAS A TIME in my Christian life when I was passing through a great deal of questioning and perplexity. I felt that no Christian had ever had such peculiar difficulties as mine. There happened to be staying near me for a few weeks a lady who was considered to be a deeply spiritual Christian. I summoned up my courage one afternoon and went to see her. I poured out my troubles to her, expecting that she would take a deep interest in me and would do all she could to help me.

She listened patiently enough and did not interrupt me. But when I had finished my story and paused, expecting sympathy, she simply said, “Yes, all you say may be true, but then, in spite of it all, there is God.”
“But,” I continued, “surely you did not understand how very serious and perplexing my difficulties are.”
“Oh yes, I did,” replied my friend, “but then, as I tell you, there is God.”

I could not induce her to make any other answer. It seemed to me most disappointing and unsatisfactory. I felt that my peculiar and difficult experiences could not be met by anything so simple as the statement, “Yes, but there is God.” I knew God was there, of course, but I felt I needed something more than just God. I came to the conclusion that my friend, for all her great reputation as a spiritual teacher, was at any rate not able to handle my problems.

My need was so great, however, that I did not give up with my first attempt. I went to her again and again, always with the hope that she would sometime begin to understand the importance of my difficulties and would give me adequate help. It was of no use. I was never able to draw forth any other answer. Always, to everything. would come the simple reply, “Yes, I know; but there is always God.”

At last, by power of her continual repetition, I became convinced that my friend truly believed that the mere fact of the existence of God, as the Creator and Redeemer of mankind, and of me as a member of the race, was an all-sufficient answer to every possible need. She said it so often and seemed so sure that I began to wonder whether God might be enough, even for my overwhelming and peculiar need. From wondering I came gradually to believing that, since He is my Creator and Redeemer, He must be enough. A conviction burst upon me that He truly was enough. My eyes were opened to the absolute and utter all-sufficiency of God.

My troubles disappeared, and I wondered how I could ever have been such an idiot as to be troubled by them, when all the while there was God. The Almighty and All-seeing God, the God who had created me, was on my side and eager to care for me and help me.  Yes, I had found out that God was enough, and my soul was at rest. (HWS)

FATHER, I remember when Job needed counsel, a friend came with this advice: “Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. Receive, I pray thee, the law from His mouth, and lay up His words in thine heart.” (Job 20:21-22)