There is a permeation among Christians that states “don’t tell anyone the secret questions you cry out to God about or else!”  The reason so many aren’t honest about their queries is that most often well-meaning, yet ignorant, people hand them a pat platitude instead of honestly answering the questions.

Today I listened to a segment on a Christian radio show that had my blood pressure at boiling point!

A man called in with questions about unanswered prayer.  He has been a devout Christian for over twenty years.  His mother was really sick and he prayed and prayed for her healing, as did many others, but she still died.  He himself has been fighting an illness for fifteen years, praying and standing on the Word for his own healing, with no healing being manifested.  He was asking the host of the show why doesn’t God answer him; why does God answer some people’s prayers but not others; and why does He promise healing if He doesn’t deliver it.

All questions I think we ALL have asked (if we are honest enough to admit it!)

I was VERY disheartened by the host of the show’s response.  I wanted to scream at him.  The caller left the show feeling worse – even feeling shamed and condemned, I am sure.  Here is the gist of how it went:

Caller:  I just don’t understand why a good God who promises that He heals and that He answers prayer doesn’t do it.

Host:  Well, you just have to learn that even if God doesn’t heal you, you have to trust He is faithful.

Caller:  Faithful?  What does that mean?  Faithful not to keep His word to me?  Faithful to stand by and let His people suffer?  I hate it when people say “Oh, just trust Him!”  What the heck does that mean?  Knowing He can heal but doesn’t does not cause much trust to be build up. 

Host:  I can see you are in a very bad place.  Are you depressed?  

Caller:  You bet I am depressed!  Wouldn’t you be after crying out for over fifteen years to a God who can heal you but chooses not to?

Host:  Have you gotten any help?  Have you seen a counselor?

Caller:  Of course!  I have seen doctors, counselors and pastors.  They all tell me, “Just take one step toward God and He will take a step toward you.”  I do it and He still doesn’t come close or heal me.  The platitudes I receive are endless and useless.

Host:  Well, whenever I have been in that situation, I realised that God was waiting on ME to do something.  You obviously have done some things, but they aren’t the right ones for you.  God is waiting for YOU to take the next step.  Perhaps you should join a support group for people who have the same illness as you.

Caller:  When I read my bible, I don’t see anywhere where Jesus said, “Oh, sorry.  I can’t heal you today.  You have to jump through yet another hoop.”  He didn’t say, “Join a group of others so you can all sit around and commiserate about your pain.”   NO!!!!!!!!!!   He healed them all instantly!  You keep saying He is the same today as He was then – if that is the case, why don’t we see Him working in our lives as we read about He did back then?

Host:  Oh, my brother, you are at the bottom of despair, aren’t you?

By now, I am SCREAMING at the radio, “Dignify the man and answer his question for crying out loud!!!!”

Instead….

Host:  I am going to pray for you.

Yada yada yada.  The typical “I don’t know what to say so I’ll shut you up by praying for you” response.  Oh, it makes my blood boil!  When I went through my traumatic crisis of faith, almost ten years ago now, I made a promise that I would NEVER EVER hand out pat platitudes again!

So, what would YOU have told this caller?

Email me at tina@tinamarino.com with your response.   I will share my response soon.