During this COVID-19 season of our life, we hear phrases like; social distancing, self-isolation, flattening the curve. But what is especially interesting is that in unprecedented times, secular leaders, and even the mainstream media, will, on occasion, turn to the church and its leaders for perspective, for answers.
People are longing for spiritual perspective, for some answers, if possible—God’s answers— to the “why” questions concerning this pandemic. Christianity offers no easy answers to these “why” questions. It’s not supposed to. Christianity does offer what I believe to be the very best explanations for the problem of suffering—while also leaving plenty of room for mystery— but authentic biblical faith always resists the kind of simplistic answers that allow us to push our confusion and negative emotions aside too readily, too conveniently.
So instead of addressing the why question, we refer to the rich biblical tradition of lament. Lament is what happens when people ask, “Why?” and don’t get an answer. Our souls need permission to continue to express our faith while we, at the very same time, wrestle honestly with our doubts and fears, with our pain and grief.
