If God is in control, why does COVID-19 continue to claim lives?

Death tolls rise, hearts break, and we all struggle to make sense of all this suffering. Bank accounts and groceries dwindle, but anxiety levels continue to rise. As a Christian, I’ve tried to offer hope by reminding people that God is in control, that he is good, and that he loves us. But if God is in control, why does COVID-19 continue to claim lives? Why would a benevolent and sovereign God allow suffering at all?

Have you had those same thoughts? You’re not alone. Questions about the ability, character, and existence of God have been asked since the beginning of time.

If God is in control, why does COVID-19 continue to claim lives?

Honestly, I don’t know the answer to any of those questions.

What I do know is that despite the awful circumstances we find ourselves in today, God is still on the throne. I also know that even though suffering stinks, it is good for us.

It’s in the fiery trials of affliction and adversity that we cry out to God to rescue us. And in our brokenness that we’re humble enough to look to the Lord for help. Comfort and ease aren’t conducive to an intimate knowledge of and relationship with the Almighty. But suffering is.

We can’t have our best life now

Paradise was abdicated when Adam and Eve rebelled against God’s command to refrain from eating of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. (Gen.2:17, Gen. 3) This resulted in shame, sorrow, and suffering.  Death and destruction became the new normal. And we’re still reaping the consequences of their choice to this day.

A pain-free and perfect existence on this earth isn’t possible in this broken world.  But through faith in the gospel, we can gain entrance into paradise in heaven for all of eternity.

Romans 6:23~ For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Is it wrong to ask why?

God doesn’t fault us for questioning our circumstances. Even Jesus, in his humanness, cried out “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” as he was dying in agony on the cross. (Mark 15:34)   I’m sure the disciples were asking why God was allowing His Beloved Son to be mutilated and murdered for crimes he didn’t commit.

But if God would’ve saved Jesus from the cross then we would be a people utterly without hope. There would be no light at the end of the tunnel. Nothing to look forward to after death. And most importantly, reconciliation with God would be impossible. That’s because Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except by him. (John 14:6)  Hell would be our eternal destiny if God would’ve stopped the crucifixion from taking place.

If you’ve read the book of Job, then you know the kind of trauma that God allowed him to endure.  Job lost his children, servants, livestock, reputation, ministry, and his health. But he maintained his integrity and his faith. And Job came out of that season of suffering stronger, with a better comprehension of the sovereignty and sufficiency of God.

Job 42:2, 5-6~ I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.  v.5-6 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

Perspective in the Pandemic

None of us is omniscient, knowing all things, but God is.  He sees the invisible and understands the incomprehensible. God is omnipotent and omnipresent, and inherently good.  He is simultaneously merciful and just, loving and righteous, holy, and accessible.

The God of the universe will not be put in a mold of our own making.  We can’t bring him down to our level or expect him to react to this fallen world in the same way we do.  He is infinitely unique from his human creation.

Romans 11:33~ O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

Maybe God is preparing the world for the future Tribulation when the Antichrist will reign and the wrath of God will be poured out on the ungodly. The earthquakes, wars, famine, and this pandemic are just a shadow of things to come in the days preceding the Second Coming of Christ. (Read Revelation.)

Zephaniah 1:14-15~ The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.  That day is a day of wrath, a day of trouble and distress, a day of wasteness and desolation, a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness.

Ripe for Revival

God may be allowing these circumstances to continue so unbelievers will repent and turn to Him for help and hope.

Maybe believers needed to be wakened from their slumber to redeem the time and preach the gospel while there’s still time and freedom to do so.  (1Thess. 5:5-8)

Instead of focusing on what God isn’t doing, maybe we should turn our attention to what he is doing. He’s connecting people in this crisis and creating within us a gratefulness for what we have taken for granted. He’s getting the gospel all over the globe as churches are forced to hold services online. And so much more!

Suffering makes us stronger

If we never had circumstances beyond our control, times when we felt helpless or hopeless, would we see our need for God? Would we appreciate sunny days without having experienced stormy ones?

I don’t presume to know why God is allowing COVID-19 to continue to claim lives.  But I do know that in my experience I have come through suffering with a stronger faith, a better understanding of God, and a deeper appreciation for Christ.

Trials have given me a more passionate relationship with my Lord and Savior.  And I wouldn’t trade that for a pain-free, “best-life” now, or for anything in this world.

What about you?

Do you know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior?  Have you heard the good news of the gospel? That you have the opportunity to be forgiven of your sin and spend eternity with God?

Did you realize that you can become a new creature, with a new life, a new heart, and a new purpose when you place your faith in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?

If not, you can change that right now.  Just accept that you are a sinner separated from the One True God, repent, and ask for His forgiveness. Believe that Jesus took all of your sins to the cross, died for you, and rose again from the dead.  Confess with your mouth and believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is Lord, and you will be saved.

Will you trust that God is in control?

If God is in control then why does COVID-19 continue to claim lives? I can’t answer that, and I think a better question to ask is can you trust in a God you can’t see and don’t understand? 

I did, and it was the best decision I’ve ever made in my life. Jesus gave me calm in the chaos, peace in the pandemic, the hope of heaven, and strength in suffering.

Because I know that my Redeemer lives, and this life is not all there is.

I’ve experienced his goodness, I believe his word, and I know that he is faithful. My hope and prayer is that COVID-19 ushers in a revival like none other, and that those without hope in this world will turn to Jesus to find it.

Romans 8:38-39~ For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

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Pray With Confidence

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5 Things to Thank God for When You Don’t Feel Thankful

3 Short Prayers for Spiritual Stability

2 Things to Remember to Find Peace in Chaos

19 Bible Verses that Reveal the Will of God

15 Bible Verses About Rest When You’re Feeling Overwhelmed

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