Barbra Gentry-Pugh

Hello God, Can We Talk?

November 9, 2025

“Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord. Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV)

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)

“Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16 (NKJV)

Have you ever said to God, “Hello God, can we talk?” Now, before you say I’m out of line Scripturally in questioning God, allow me to clarify. I’m not suggesting we can question His authority or wisdom, but I believe we can talk to Him! We can bring our questions from a humble heart when life simply does not appear to make sense, when hope seems hidden, when pain feels relentless, and when our hearts long for answers that seem delayed in coming.

“My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with me.” And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.” Psalms 27:8 (NLT)

Yes, there are times when life simply does not make sense and refuses to line up with what we know to be true about God. We believe He is good, loving, just, kind, and faithful, yet what we see around us often feels like the opposite. Tragedy strikes the innocent. The wicked seem to prosper. The cries of the hungry go unanswered while the proud grow richer. It’s in these moments that our faith and our feelings seem to collide.

When life doesn’t make sense, our natural response is to ask, “Why, Lord?” Why does hatred prevail over harmony? Why do children suffer while those with power turn a blind eye? Why do we see hearts growing colder in a world that needs warmth the most? These are not faithless questions; they are human cries from souls longing to understand divine purpose in human pain.

The prophets of God wrestled with these questions. Habakkuk looked at the violence and injustice of his day and asked, “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” Habakkuk 1:2. Job sat in ashes, grieving his losses, and wondered, Why! David poured out His anguish in the Psalms, crying, “Why are You so far from saving me?” in Psalm 22:1, and God seemed silent. Yet in every case, their questioning led not to rebellion, but to revelation.

God didn’t rebuke them for asking; He met them in their questions. He invites us to bring our confusion, our heartbreak, and even our disappointment into His presence. When we talk honestly with God, He begins to quiet the storm inside, even if the storm around us still rages.

When life doesn’t make sense, faith reminds us that God’s ways are higher than ours in Isaiah 55:8-9, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (NLT)

His silence does not mean absence; His delay does not mean denial. Sometimes God allows the pieces of life to seem scattered so that we will seek His face more than His hand, not just for answers, but for intimacy.

In our moments of confusion, we can either retreat in frustration or lean in with faith. The choice determines whether we grow bitter or become better. The heart that says, “Hello God, can we talk?” is not accusing, it is surrendering. It is saying, “I don’t understand, but I trust You. I can’t see what You’re doing, but I know You are still working.” So, when life doesn’t make sense, keep talking to God, because even in the chaos, He still listens. Even in the silence, He still speaks. And even when the world feels out of control, He is still on the throne.

In our face daily, our nation is in turmoil, and the noise of division drowns out the whispers of compassion. Families are fractured, some not talking to each other, not just by physical distance, but by political, racial, and social divides. Children are going to bed hungry while greed builds monuments of self-interest. Violence has become common news, and empathy has become uncommon grace.

We see people losing jobs, homes, and loved ones, not just to death, but to despair. Fear and anxiety have often replaced faith and trust. The rising cost of living burdens those already weighed down by grief and uncertainty. Heartlessness among some leaders and elected officials reveals a deeper illness in our land, and yes, it is spiritual!

And so, with heavy hearts, we whisper, “Hello God, can we talk?” “Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24 (NIV)

HEALING FROM WITHIN. When we look at the chaos around us, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But healing begins when we remember who God is: unchanging, unshakable, always near and in control. The same God who spoke peace to the storm can calm the storms in our hearts and in our nation.

No matter what we see in the world today, God is still sovereign, holy, good, righteous, loving, faithful, kind, just, and His Word is true. He is still our refuge in uncertainty, our strength in weakness, and our hope in despair. As we talk with Him, trust Him, and walk with Him, He heals us from within and empowers us to become instruments of His healing in a broken world.

YOUR HEART CHECK. So, when life doesn’t make sense, will you keep talking to God? Because even in the chaos, He still listens. Even in the silence, He still speaks. And even when the world feels out of control, He is still on the throne.

Remember, God can handle your questions, your doubts, and He welcomes your concerns! Do you have questions about Jesus, about who He is or what He expects of you? Admit them to yourself and to God and begin looking for answers. Only as you face your doubts honestly can you begin to resolve them.

YOUR HEART CHALLENGE: When was the last time you had a heart-to-heart talk with God, not just to ask for something, but to share your heart honestly? Have you told Him about the ache you feel when you see injustice, or the burden you carry for our nation? Again, God can handle your doubts, your tears, and even your anger.

Instead of letting anger divide us, let’s allow love to guide us. Instead of letting fear rule us, let’s let faith renew us. He would rather hear our honest cry than our silent despair.

This week, I challenge you to take time to pray for our nation for healing, unity, and compassion. Ask God to restore empathy in our homes, churches, and communities. The heart of God is still open, and His ear is still attentive to the cries of His people.

A RESTORED HEART: A restored heart is a heart that is guarded, grateful, and surrendered. A heart that lets the Holy Spirit reveal any toxins that need to be released and allows the peace of Christ to restore your heartbeat of faith. The only way to experience a restored heart and mind is to infuse it with the truth of God’s Word through renewed minds regularly.

PRAYER:    Father God, thank You for Your authoritative, inerrant, and inspired Word that gives us clear instructions on how we as Believers in the risen Christ are to respond to chaos, pain, and suffering! Father, our hearts are heavy as we look around and see the condition of our nation. We ask for Your mercy on our land. Heal the wounds we have caused through pride, greed, and indifference. Restore compassion where hearts have grown cold. Teach us to listen, to love, and to lead with humility. Thank You that You welcome our questions and confronting our doubts. Help us to trust that You are still in control, even when we cannot see it, in the precious, powerful, and preeminent name of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.