“No—’cause I don’t trust Him.”
Those words from actor and comedian Billy Crystal about his views on God have gained serious traction this week.
Crystal has been hurting a lot lately. He lost his family home during the 2025 Pacific Palisades wildfire, and then in December, the actor’s dear friend, movie director Rob Reiner, was murdered in his home, along with his wife, Michele.
In an interview with “CBS Sunday Morning” that aired last weekend, reporter Tracy Smith asked Crystal about what he’s gone through. Though thankful to have come through suffering with many parts of his life still intact, he added, “But it doesn’t take away the hurt. It doesn’t take away the loss.”
It’s in suffering and tragedies that many people turn to God, so Smith asked, “Have you been talking to God?”
Crystal answered, “No—’cause I don’t trust Him. Too many bad things have happened. The earth is in bad shape. This is a weird, scary time. So, no, not any more.”
It’s surely not an uncommon answer for those who go through suffering. But we Christians have an answer, and it is in these times that we double-down on our relationship with and trust in God.
On Facebook on Friday, Franklin Graham addressed Crystal’s—and humanity’s—hurt.
“Everyone has bad things happen in life, and everyone experiences loss and disappointment. But I trust God,” Franklin wrote. “He has done everything to keep me out of Hell, by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to save me—and to save Billy Crystal.”
“He is trustworthy and true,” he added. “He loves us.”
What Would Billy Tell Billy About Suffering?
The notion of suffering isn’t new to the Christian. And it’s a topic Billy Graham addressed frequently.
Mr. Graham often pointed out: God has a plan in our suffering; our suffering can be used to help others; and Jesus knew suffering greater than we will ever realize.
THE PLAN: In his classic daily devotional, Day by Day with Billy Graham, Mr. Graham addressed the topic of suffering and reminded readers that God has a plan for suffering:
“Our life has its beginning in suffering. Life’s span is marked by pain and tragedy, and our lives terminate with the enemy called death. The person who expects to escape the pangs of suffering and disappointment simply has no knowledge of the Bible, of history, or of life. The master musician knows that suffering precedes glory and acclaim. He knows the hours, days, and months of grueling practice and self-sacrifice that precede the one hour of perfect rendition when his mastership is applauded. The student knows that years of study, privation, and self-renunciation precede the triumphant day of graduation and honors. Yes, there are clouds of suffering for each one of us, but God says, “I come to you in the thick dark cloud of suffering.” By faith you can see His blessed face in the storm. God has His plan and purpose in all suffering.”
What could possibly be the plan? God wants to make His children into what we were created to be. Mr. Graham dealt with this when he answered the question of “Why does God allow people to suffer so much in this world?” years ago. In his answer, he noted, “God uses suffering and trials to discipline us.”
“God has a divine plan for shaping our lives,” Mr. Graham continued. “That plan often includes suffering in one way or another. It deepens our spirit; it strengthens our resolve to keep our eyes on Him and the path that He has put before us.”
HELPING OTHERS: The believer sees another benefit when it comes to suffering: Not only can it make us more like Him, but also we can use it to help hurting people.
A few quotes from Billy Graham (emphasis added):
- “Suffering in life can uncover untold depths of character and unknown strength for service. People who go through life unscathed by sorrow and untouched by pain tend to be shallow in their perspectives on life. Suffering, on the other hand, tends to plow up the surface of our lives to uncover the depths that provide greater strength of purpose and accomplishment. Only deeply plowed earth can yield bountiful harvests.”
- “A suffering person does not need a lecture—he needs a listener.”
- “Suffering can give us opportunities to witness. The world is a gigantic hospital; nowhere is there a greater chance to see the peace and joy of the Lord than when the journey through the valley is the darkest.”
- “We must never minimize the suffering of another. Scripture’s mandate to us is, ‘Weep with them that weep.’” (Romans 12:15, KJV)
SUFFERING SAVIOR: One thing the world doesn’t understand, as exemplified by Crystal’s lament and loss of faith, is that God’s not immune to suffering and hurt.
When we rebel, it breaks His heart. When we reject His love, He suffers. When we hurt, He hurts. Not only do we see God the Father hurting, we see God the Son suffered. He suffered for us mightily on the cross—physically, mentally and, most of all, spiritually. Billy Graham was sure to let people understand that suffering isn’t unique to mankind. In fact, he said it was the “suffering hands of Jesus” that we will be “most impressed with when we see Him in Heaven.”
Why? Well, glad you asked:
“When we get to Heaven, we’re going to find that His hands suffered when they drove those nails in and then when they picked Him up and hung Him between Heaven and earth and the terrible jolt that tore His hands. And the wound was so great that Thomas could put his own hands in those holes.”
And Jesus will wear those scars for eternity. […]
The most sinful place in the history of the world is the Cross. Jesus became the most sinful man that ever lived. You know why? The Scripture says He became sin for us. He had never known sin. All of a sudden, He not only had the sins of the people of that generation, but He had the sins of all mankind—every person who ever lived, He took their sins on Him. He became guilty of every single sin. …
His suffering was ten thousand times worse than that of the average man who would be crucified. He was suffering spiritually when he cried, “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?” […]
I also see something else on the Cross: I see the love of God. I can’t describe it—there’s no way to describe God’s love. It’s too deep. It’s too high. It’s too broad. It’s too great.
So, why did God do this? Why did He suffer? Mr. Graham wrote: “He did it for one reason: because He loves us. We don’t deserve it, but He loves us anyway.”
How Should Christians React to Suffering?
So, what should our reaction be to suffering? Mr. Graham offered this:
First, it should be one of worship. We ought to say, “O God, I believe You are the great and mighty God. I don’t understand all the things that are happening in my life, but, O God, I trust in You.”
Second, we should ask God to teach us all He would have us learn about Him, about ourselves, about others, and how we can minister to those who are suffering.
Third, our attitude in suffering should glorify God. People are going to watch us as Christians. They will ask, “How is it that Christ is so in control of his or her life that he or she was able to help others?”
Billy Crystal’s loss of trust in God isn’t unique.
We, as followers of Christ, need to be prepared to give an answer, come alongside those who are hurting and point people to the Savior.
