Stop worrying whether God is there for us; start working on whether we are there for God.

When facing difficulties, we may sometimes expect support or intervention from divine sources, especially when the difficulty seems unmanageable. If we don’t get that support, we may start worrying whether God is there for us. This worry may range from doubting God’s existence to questioning whether he hears our prayers, cares for us, or even acts on our behalf.

While such emotions are understandable, fixating on them is generally unhelpful. God is who he is and does what he does. We can’t insist that God act in particular ways. In fact, we have very little power to change even the behavior of those around us, so expecting to influence God’s actions according to our will is unrealistic. We may never articulate our prayers as outright demands, yet an unspoken expectation of divine compliance can subtly impede or even implode our ability to connect with God during times of difficulty.

The Bhagavad-gita offers an inspiring and endearing vision of God’s role amid human adversity. When Arjuna faced the heart-wrenching challenge of waging war against his venerable elders, God, manifested as Krishna, was not sitting far away, sending directives. Instead, Krishna was right there with Arjuna on his chariot, helping him navigate the challenges life had thrown at him. When Arjuna broke down, Krishna didn’t perform miracles to change the physical reality of the war but instead infused Arjuna with wisdom through the Bhagavad-gita. This wisdom helped Arjuna shift his focus from worrying about divine intervention to working on being there for Krishna. This shift is expressed in Arjuna’s concluding words in 18.73: “I will do your will.”

Krishna didn’t give esoteric insights about unknown past-life causes for the war or perform miracles to alter Arjuna’s destiny. Instead, he empowered Arjuna to focus on his duty and trust in a higher plan. Similarly, the Lord is present with us within our body, which serves as a metaphorical chariot, as we face the battles of life. Though Krishna’s indwelling presence may not be immediately perceivable, his timeless words in the Bhagavad-gita are readily accessible. By using its message, we can shift our focus from whether God is available for us to whether we are available for God.

This shift provides us with something constructive and controllable to focus on. Adopting a service attitude allows us to feel connected to a higher reality and a divine plan far bigger than ourselves. This perspective helps us see our difficulties as manageable when we focus on doing our part, trusting that things will work out in due course.

Summary:

  • When going through difficulties, focusing on whether God is there for us can be disempowering because we cannot control divine actions.
  • By studying the Bhagavad-gita, we can follow Arjuna’s example and shift our focus to being there for God, adopting a service attitude that expresses readiness to do his will despite our challenges.
  • Focusing on our availability for God gives us a sense of connectedness with higher realities and a constructive way to navigate difficulties that might otherwise overwhelm us.

Think it over:

  • Have you ever worried whether God is there for you? What emotional states did such a focus lead to?
  • How does the Bhagavad-gita help Arjuna shift his focus during the war, and how can you apply this shift in your relationship with God?
  • List three tangible actions you can take to stay focused on your service to God while dealing with a current difficulty.

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18.73 Arjuna said: My dear Kṛṣṇa, O infallible one, my illusion is now gone. I have regained my memory by Your mercy. I am now firm and free from doubt and am prepared to act according to Your instructions.