As children of God, we know that God is always with us. However, those that do not know Christ may ask us, "where is your God now?' as we go through the same trials of life that they do. Some may even know the story of Job in the Bible and try to twist it to mean God does leave us or that He doesn't stand by us, or that He does forsake us. We, as children of God, know otherwise. I have recently posed the question to fellow Christians, "if the lost go through the same trials as we do and come out on the other side, what is the difference between them and us?" Of course, the main difference is, we have Christ and eternal life where they do not. The response I received was something along the lines of "they don't have the peace within while going through the trial."
I still remember that dark time when I was so discouraged that I tried to give Christ up. I wasn't mature in Christ then, and God knew that. If anyone understands the meaning of John 10:28, I do.
"and I give eternal life to them, and they will never perish; and no one will snatch them out of My hand."
As hard as I tried to leave 'God's Hand,' He would not permit it. This verse means that as hard as 'we' may attempt to leave God ourselves, it is impossible once we have surrendered to Him. That was the most torturous time in my life as my entire body and soul fought to hang on to God. I guess this doubt was my wrestling with God like Jacob did with the Angel of the Lord (Jesus Christ incarnate), but God prevailed in my case. Thank God He did. He used the situation as a lesson for me to learn and accept what Christ means to me. God already knew my heart and knew how much I loved Him, but I struggled with my faith at the time. As torturous as that time was, it was also a time when God became very real.
When I feel myself going into a dark place, I remember this time and how it was proof to me that God has me. That bout with doubt is also a reminder of the pain and anguish I experienced mentally, physically, and spiritually. I find it hard to believe that there's a future trial on this earth that will cause that much pain, but if there is, I now have confidence God and I will overcome it together.
In answer to the question, "where is God now"? God is where He always is…everywhere.
Our circumstances do not change where or who He is. Trials for a Christian do not mean God has abandoned us. We have to walk this earth as the non-Christians do, but we have the power to overcome each challenge with peace, love, and joy. However, we must surrender to the Holy Spirit within us and allow Him to bless us through the trial instead of choosing to block Him and His love for us.
Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22)