Thoughts from the Rearview Mirror: Has there been a time in your life when you thought that God was far away, but looked back and realized He was there the whole time?
SC students answer this question via text messaging at chapel on February 8, 2012, in response to Amanda Beadle’s message. These are their responses.
1. Last May, my grandma was hospitalized and my really good friend committed suicide all within a week. That was the farthest from God that I have ever felt. I thought “Why would he do this to me?” Looking back, I realize that God has a plan. You may not understand why right away but God has a reason for everything.
2. When I lost my dear friend, Ellen, is when I felt God had left me, but really he was there the whole time.
3. My first few years here at SC were not easy. Friends abandoned me. I felt alienated and alone. But God was in my acquaintances and in chapel and in small groups holding me up, though I didn’t see it then.
4. I was in a very similar situation, in what I believe was the hardest time in my life. I was angry and asking why, but when I moved myself out of the way, I realized that it was only a small test for a huge testimony. Beadle actually said to me “When you are faithless, God still is faithful.” And today was certainly confirmation.
5. Losing my great grandmother is when I felt really far from God.
6. My junior year of high school, I didn’t see God anywhere. I was severely depressed. But looking back I realize that he was with me, I just was overcome with grief for myself.
7. When I was in college, I was making bad choices.
8. I wasn’t supposed to come to SC. I was enrolled in a different college in
9. There was a time when I thought that God forgot about me when I couldn’t get into any school. Until, in the long run, God blessed me and brought me to SC.
10. I am having a hard time currently in my life, but I feel like God is trying to turn it around. I am trying to be willful of his work on my life.
11. When I was mugged.
12. This last summer, my family sold our family farm, the only place I had ever lived and the place that I grew up. My dad was out of a job and my mom made little money. It was hard to get by and somehow I was still able to go to this yearly church camp. I didn’t want to go, I was mad, but went and immediately felt at ease once I got there.
13. My junior year of high school, my closest friends abandoned me and took so much from me. Though that experience was terrible, God was the only person who could have ever helped me through being called poison and being told me that I wasn’t worth their time and that I wasn’t worth keeping alive. ..
14. A lot of things were bothering me and I am one to keep things to myself and try to handle them on my own. But one Sunday, I got pulled to the front of the church and the congregation let me know that I was not alone. The congregation prayed for me.
15. After the summer, I did not want to come back to SC. I was struggling with decisions about my future and relationships, but God showed me that there was a reason for me to come back and he has been working ever since.
16. When I didn’t like where I was…God was there teaching me to love others and to become vulnerable to His moving in my life.
17. After my grandma died (1/2/12), I started going to church again and coming to chapel. My grandma was my rock, so after she died, I felt like I lost my rock, but God was there for me. He told me to keep going just like my grandma told me to keep going. Thank you.
18. When I became a Christian, I was ashamed of all the horrible things I had done. I thought that God hated me and wanted nothing to do with me. I look back now and know he was there the whole time, waiting patiently for me to give my whole heart to him. He always gave me signs of his presence, but only now do I realize they were from him.
19. There was once a time that I thought God forgot about me when I lost my brother, had a baby and was raped all in the span on 8 months. But soon I realized he carried me, holding my heart in his hands and helped me to remain strong through the entire struggle.
20. When I was 11 I was told that I wouldn’t make it to my high school graduation because I would die of a brain tumor. My parents wondered how God could need me home so early. My dad had prayed for God to take him instead. Not only did I graduate from high school, I am able to send this text today.
21. When I moved from my town in
22. Tearing up my knee and not being able to play sports – the Lord revealed a whole new side of life to me that I would never have seen.
23. When my father passed away in October, I was in a dark place. For weeks I just wasn’t myself, but now I realize I have so many friends that God sent me. I thought I was alone, but my friends and God were always by my side.
24. A close friend decided life was no longer worth living anymore and took his own. I turned from God and pushed him away. I was selfish and didn’t want his comfort, but I didn’t realize that in my own selfishness and stubbornness, I blamed my empty feeling on God leaving me. Now I look back and realize that He was carrying me until I was well enough to walk on my own by His side again.
25. The moment my family and friends were against me. I felt alone. No one was there to talk to. I even had suicidal thoughts but God told me to hold on because everything was going to be okay. That’s what I have done and I am alive today! J
26. When my sister was diagnosed with cancer. We grew closer because of it.
27. Last semester, I kept running into trouble and I thought it was just all out hell and I didn’t know what to do. I thought everyone was against me. Then, that’s when God put all the right people around me to take it away.
28. Nothing is worse than being bullied and not having anyone to support you or see the trouble. Then, when your family stands up for you, everyone else looks the other way because of who the bully is. I went through a hard place and had many struggles. I was so angry with the Lord. Why would he let such horrible things happen to me? It took four years for me to see God’s answer. That he was there allowing me to grow and to use it to help children struggling with similar issues. We might not understand our struggles, but at some point in time, God comes through.
29. When I was nine, I was hit in the head with a softball and it caved in my skull. The doctor gave my parents the choice to wait it out or have immediate brain surgery. A week later, a lady went up to my mom and told her that they were in the same predicament a few years back with their daughter and she died because they waited it out. The whole time I thought that God hated me, but really He is the reason I am still here today.
30. I am at a point in my life right now where I think that God is far away. Nothing seems to make sense and I just want to pray for guidance.
31. I became angry with God when he allowed my parents to get divorced, but when I look back now, I realize he did it for a reason. He allowed me to have families.
32. Great chapel. Thank you.
