Anthony Ggut

Mr.Angeloni

Religion 12

February 6 2022

Finding God in Struggles

The connection between God and human suffering is a complex topic that has been

discussed by many individuals, theologians, and scholars. Some people view God as a source

of comfort in difficult times but some view the struggles as a test from God. I personally

believe that God does not cause any suffering but stays by us in whatever situation that is at

hand. I feel that God is present despite the fact that his body is not capable of being

perceived. You can’t just see Him anytime you feel like it, however, you have the opportunity

to find Him in certain situations called privileged moments. A privileged moment is an

instance where you know that God is present, you can have these moments when you let God

in. “Letting God in”, refers to the act of opening oneself up to the presence and influence of

God, it is the pure definition of vulnerability. You are able to be vulnerable only in privileged

moments, these moments can either be blessed moments of joy or terrible moments of

struggling. Although difficult for many, there are individuals who are able to find God in

times of suffering. There were many instances where in my struggles, I was able to locate and

acknowledge God’s presence.

My childhood was nothing out of the ordinary, I was not born into a terrible family

and my life had been moderately fine but it would be silly to say that I had the perfect life.

Suffering is an unchangeable part of life that all humans are going to experience, it is

inevitable to happen for everyone at certain points in their lives. I had my fair share of

difficulties, mostly family related problems. I remember each time when my family was in a

rough spot with each other, I would always be caught in the middle of everything. It was pure
chaos. Finding God in these struggles seemed nearly impossible to achieve, but there were a

few certain moments where I managed to do so. My family fought a lot which I felt horrible

about, there would always be this air of hostility engulfing the surrounding area. The first

time where I actually felt God's presence in these moments happened at a very early age, and

it was a very unique experience.

I was around eleven years old and my family and I lived in Colonia, Yap. We just

moved from the village there because the old house we used to live in was run down. It was a

tough time because my parents weren’t in the best of mood. They would always argue about

things of little importance. It got so bad that one of my parents took me and we stayed the

night in the area where Pine Bar is built today. The bar did not exist at that time but it was a

big space where cars can park. I remember grieving in the passenger seat and could not sleep,

the night went by and I did not even attempt to sleep. Saddened by what happened I stared

out of the window looking at the night sky, I could barely see any stars and the moon was just

at a half moon stage. I thought that nothing could possibly make me smile after that but I

could not have been more wrong. Morning came and the sun slowly appeared then became a

beautiful sunrise. It was the first time where I actually paid attention and admired the heart

warming sunrise. It was like a gift from God Himself. In that moment, I could feel that God

pulled both my cheeks to form a little smile.

Looking back at the experience, I was going through a rough time and felt

overwhelmed about the situation that occured. However, despite the challenges that I faced, I

found solace in looking up at the beautiful sunrise feeling a small sense of peace and comfort.

It is amazing how sometimes it takes something as simple as a sunrise to bring hope and

happiness into our lives. The sunrise that I experienced right after the tormenting night was a

reminder of God’s presence in our lives, He brings light to where you would think that it

cannot exist. After a while, my parents got back together and tried to stay out of situations.
 Experiencing God's presence in difficult times can be a powerful and transformative

moment. In the midst of suffering, it can be hard to find comfort and hope, but through

vulnerability and letting God in, we can experience moments of peace and joy. The sunrise

that I experienced as a child was a privileged moment where I felt God's comfort and love in

the midst of turmoil. These moments can serve as a reminder that despite the struggles we

face, God is always with us, bringing light and hope to even the darkest moments. It is

through these experiences that we can strengthen our faith and develop a deeper

understanding of the connection between God and human suffering.