Biblical Answer

Understanding the Question

When you ask "Why did God abandon me now?" you are likely struggling with a faulty theology of suffering. This theology is based on a misunderstanding of God's character and plan. You may be thinking that God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life, but that He should therefore heal you immediately. This assumption is rooted in a simplistic and humanistic view of God's nature and actions. In reality, God's ways are not always easy to understand, and His purposes are not always aligned with our desires.

Reframing the Question

To gain a deeper understanding of God's actions in your life, it may be helpful to reframe your question. Instead of asking "Why did God abandon me?" you might ask "Why did God allow me to experience this suffering?" or "What is God's purpose in this situation?" This reframed question can help you to focus on God's sovereignty and goodness, rather than your own feelings of abandonment. It can also help you to see that God's actions are not motivated by a desire to punish or abandon you, but rather by a desire to shape you into the image of Christ.

Finding Hope in God's Sovereignty

Ultimately, the question of why God abandoned you is not as important as the fact that He has not abandoned you. In fact, He has a particular interest in those who have been sinned against, neglected, or abandoned. He has a purpose in your life, and you are His ambassador. Just as Jesus bore the sins of humanity in His own body, God is bearing your sins and struggles in His presence. Even in the midst of spiritual abandonment, you can cry out to God and find comfort in His presence. As the psalmist wrote, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" But Jesus, who has experienced this same feeling of abandonment, understands your grief and enters into it with you. He is not distant or uninterested in your struggles. Rather, He is actively working to shape you into the image of Christ, even in the midst of suffering.