Thursday thoughts: What I know when I can't understand By JILL JOHNSON Wednesday, July 9, 2025 This has been a hard week for me. I am sure it has been a hard week for many people for different reasons. The tragedy in Texas has been on my heart and mind. As a parent and a grandparent, I cannot even begin to comprehend the enormity of what the people who have lost loved ones must be feeling. Honestly, it's times like these that cause me to think about so many painful things and wonder. I know someone whose daughter died about three weeks ago, and last night she lost her husband to cancer. I don't understand. I know someone who is dealing with very painful and serious circumstances concerning their child whom they dearly love. I don't understand. I see people every day whose children are born with disabilities or are living with diseases for which there are no cures. I don't understand. I know parents fostering children who have been in horrific situations that caused them to be removed from their birth parents. I don't understand. I can get myself and my mind consumed with these situations because I feel helpless and confused. One of the definitions of "understand" is to interpret or view something in a particular way or to perceive the intended meaning. The problem with understanding is that we can all have different views, perceptions, or interpretations, and they can change based on our emotional state. The truth is none of us can understand any of the above situations, and there could be so many more that could be added to that list. We just don't understand. Because we can't understand, we have to focus on what we know. The definition of "know" is to be cognizant or aware of the truth and facts. I have to remind myself of the truth and facts that God has placed on my heart and in my mind. That is the only thing I can do - rely on what I know. My human understanding is limited, so I have to consume myself with the truth I know. Here are some things I know about God. First, God loves us so much that He gave up His only Son and offers us the gift of eternal life. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." I KNOW God loves me and you more than we can ever understand! Another thing I know is that God is compassionate, gracious, and merciful. In Exodus 34:6, God proclaims, "The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness." One of my favorite verses is Lamentations 3:22-23, which reads, "Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. His mercies are new every morning." We will all at some point in our lives face suffering and hard times. God's love will hold us up and not allow us to be consumed, even when we can't hold ourselves up. God's compassion is constant, and He gives us new hope, mercy, and a fresh start to each day. I KNOW God will provide us with mercy, grace, and hope even when we don't understand the heartache. Lastly, I KNOW God is faithful. He is trustworthy. He never changes, and He keeps His promises. Regardless of the circumstances, He is faithful. When my faith is faltering, God will still be there. He will not leave me alone. When our circumstances don't make sense, God is the only One we can rely and call upon. He will be there. Hebrews 10:23 says to hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for HE who promised IS faithful. When our faith is weak, His faithfulness will never change. I KNOW God is faithful even when I can't understand the situation and circumstances. I will never be able to make sense of or understand why some tragedies happen. I will, however, focus on the truth that God loves me, is merciful, grants grace, gives hope, and will always be faithful. Those are the things I KNOW. When I don't understand, I still believe. I believe what I KNOW about God is far more important than what I don't understand. I am holding onto Psalms 34:18: "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed." I KNOW I can trust God.  ___ Jill Johnson finds spiritual applications in her everyday experiences as a wife, mother, grandmother, and Georgian. Jill is retired from the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and is available to speak to your church's women's gatherings. Reach her at jjohnson@gabaptist.org. --- PULLQUOTES --- Quote: I will never be able to make sense of or understand why some tragedies happen. I will, however, focus on the truth that God loves me, is merciful, grants grace, gives hope, and will always be faithful. --- PHOTOS --- File: 20230105-130542-Jill Johnson thumbnail.jpg Caption: Jill Johnson