In times of crisis or disaster, we question why a loving God would allow such suffering. We question why God doesn’t seem to answer our prayers of desperation, why He seems to be so indifferent. Our struggle to maintain our faith falters.

We just don’t understand, and that is the key.

While it might seem inappropriate to answer such emotionally charged questions with logic, it is our logic that will help us cope.

We don’t understand.

When we apply our logic filter to our attempt at understanding, we realize that we are, in fact, incapable of comprehending God’s blueprints for our existence, nor His plans for the entire universe.

We don’t understand how gravity works, or how electrons orbit the nucleus of an atom. We don’t understand how the universe was formed or how those black holes develop. We cannot fully appreciate how light from a distant star can take millions of years to arrive here. We cannot understand how minute strands of DNA can determine the unique makeup of a living organism. We cannot explain how the few cells of a fertilized human egg can branch out into arms, legs and internal organs.

If we step back from our narrow human viewpoint and observe the spectrum of elements of our existence, we will recognize that there is much we don’t understand.

If we are confounded by the basics of physics, chemical reactions, and biology, how can we expect to understand the infinitely complex workings of our existence?

Once we confront our limitations, we might begin to appreciate that God may have a plan for humanity, and that part of that plan may involve some individual pain for part of the human population, but that the ultimate gain involves the entire human species.

As we progress through this recent crisis, we seem to be experiencing a resurgence of caring. We are seeing nations reaching out to other nations. We are seeing international cooperation. We are seeing selfless sacrifice. We are seeing quarantined individuals finding imaginative ways to offer support for their neighbors.

We are seeing humanity rediscovering the need and the benefits of helping each other.

So, maybe God’s master plan to benefit humanity is in play.

But, what about those unanswered prayers? What about the pain and suffering?

Perhaps this is where faith comes to our rescue. Perhaps this is where our faith builds on trust – trust that God has a plan, and that plan will ultimately lead us to an existence of peace and joy, where the pain of our earthly experience pales in comparison to the glorious existence beyond death’s door.

Perhaps our prayers need to be for strength and peace of mind.

Perhaps those prayers are answered when we learn to truly believe and trust.