As I stepped into refugee relief ministry, I found myself overcome by emotion and compassion for those who were suffering. I also found myself overwhelmed with anger that the Lord had not rescued these people. 

“Lord, the scope of injustice is consuming. Not just at the hands of these terrorists, but also the governments of the nations involved, the leaders, and the laypeople.” 

What could I do when a whole tsunami of evil threatened the region? The entire situation was horrendous: from the slave labor making life vests that don’t float, to the governments that would not change anything in their nation so that the people could be safe, to the people closing their doors, to the people fleeing for their lives and perishing on the journey. 

I wondered why the Lord did not swoop in and rescue all the people from themselves and from one another. Why would the Lord not change things and intervene? 

I cried out to the Lord for help – even to help my own heart. I was reminded of the prayers of Habakkuk. Like me, he also cried out for the Lord to intervene. In Habakkuk’s situation, the Lord answered – perhaps not in ways that Habakkuk expected. As I read the dialogue in the book of Habakkuk between him and the Lord, my heart was strengthened. I found myself surrendering to His ways and His plans. I found myself confessing that my ways are not higher than the Lord’s, nor are my thoughts higher than His (Isaiah 55:8-9). I felt His peace in my heart, and heard a gentle whisper saying, “Trust me.” 

I found myself able to entrust the people who suffered and the systems to the Lord – to the King of Kings and the righteous judge – the one who sees all things, bears all things, and who is near to the brokenhearted. I was able to find comfort in Him for my own sorrows and lead others to the Man of Sorrows. I was able to step into the chaos and the suffering with humility and given the grace to weep with those who wept and the courage to watch and pray for justice.