Baseball fans sitting in the stands, even way up in the nosebleed sections, are not shy about pointing out what they believe to be bad calls by the ump and suggesting deficiencies in his vision. Football fans will howl when they think a penalty flag on the home team is unjustified, especially when they can watch the replay on the big screen. Voters in our country also are not bashful about pointing out shortcomings in their elected officials.

Thus it’s probably not surprising that people feel entitled also to criticize the way God is managing the universe. Even faithful believers sometimes groan in their struggles and wish God would do things in different ways. Our problem: we can’t see what God sees; we haven’t been all the places God has been; we have existed for only a tiny snapshot in earth’s history and often lack the big, I mean really big, picture. God is patient with our complaints, but he would like a little respect: “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. . . . On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4,6,7).

All the things that God does in human history, and all the things he allows to happen, are woven together in a strategic plan that works out for the benefit of the believers. When you are confused or disappointed in your spiritual life, cut God some slack, okay?