It’s the question three-year-olds ask over and over: “Why?” But as adults we do it, too. When something is taken from you, don’t you find yourself asking God why? And what starts out as, “Why did this happen?” and, “Why did you allow this?” can gradually slide to, “Why did you take this from me, God?”

As tired as we grow of our three-year-old’s why questions, I don’t believe God grows weary with ours. His love and patience are beyond our understanding, and he longs to offer us the comfort our why questions seek to find.

Yesterday, we lost one of our family pets in a tragic accident. I felt responsible, and my heart was devastated. As much as I know God is good and He loves me, I did start my list of why questions:

• Why didn’t I hear him? Maybe I could have rescued him.
• God, why did I make this mistake?
• God, why did You allow this to happen?
• Why? Why? Why?

In the middle of the night, my eyes opened to a dark and quiet room. All I could hear was the furnace running and my dog snoring close by… and God’s words speaking to my heart.

“The thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy, but I have come that you might have life.”

I thought about that and knew that for a moment I’d forgotten this is what the thief does: steals, kills, destroys. The thief goes by many names in the Bible, but he is always our enemy. Here was God reminding me to recognize the enemy and to remember Jesus has come to bring LIFE. That might not change these momentary circumstances, but it is a comfort to remember who is standing with me, holding me, lifting me up when I feel lost.

He went on to say, “This battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the spiritual forces of this present darkness. So put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the enemy.”

Today when you face difficulties of many kinds, remember to recognize the thief. And no matter what the enemy takes from you and I, God brings LIFE. He is a light that darkness cannot overcome.

Related bible verses: John 10:10, Ephesians 6:11-12, James 1:2, John 1:5

Photo notes: The photo is of our two kittens, Rolo (left) and Sprockett (right), who we adopted from PAWS in Peoria a few months ago. They have been a delight to us through this Advent season, playing and wrestling all over the house and then curling up next to us with a healthy, audible purr. Their favorite way to sleep was curled up together. We lost Rolo, on the left, in an accident on January 30, 2019. He is deeply missed by us all. – Kira