I heard a pastor say, "It is easier to tell someone else to trust God than it is to do it yourself." In one of my recent posts, I wrote about faith. Maybe that's why I hesitated for so long to show the other side of that. There are always two sides to every coin. There is faith and then there is uncertainty. There is known and there is unknown. In this life, we are always plagued by uncertainty, which causes us to question.
"Why God?" is a constant, repetitive question I have asked many times in my life, especially within the last month. I'm sure the rest of us have asked the same question. When we don't understand things that are happening around us, it is a natural response for us to question it and to seek an answer. We want to know the WHY behind what is going on. It's not uncommon for us to ask questions. Well-known men and women of God asked questions. David asks "Why?" many times throughout the book of Psalm. In Psalm 10:1, David writes Why standest thou afar off, O Lord? Why hidest thou thyself in times of trouble? In Psalm 42:5, David asks Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? In Psalm 22:1, David writes My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Job also questioned when he asked Why do ye persecute me as God..? (Job 19:22).
There are various answers when we ask "Why God?" and it's not always an answer we are hoping for:
1. God answers as a parental figure (as our Father) and His response is this: "Because I said so." There is a finality and authority in this phrase that should stop us in our tracks. We have to take God at His word and believe in His truth.
2. God answers in a still small voice: "It doesn't matter why. Just remember I'm still in control." We can either allow that voice to bring peace or anxious thoughts.
3. God gives us no answer at all. Our minds are left to wonder. We begin to doubt God and His goodness simply because He didn't answer our question.
Whichever answer we receive to this question, we still want to understand. But there are times when we just can't. We have limited knowledge and understanding. God is the only one who is omniscient-all knowing. If He doesn't want to tell us why, He doesn't have to. Sometimes that makes us angry. Sometimes we cry when life doesn't make sense. We want to understand the purpose and the reason behind it all. God always has a plan, even if we don't understand it and haven't seen it yet.
Go ahead...Ask God your questions. He isn't afraid of them. He can take it. Be honest about your fears, doubts, anxiety, insecurities. Bring it to Him.
Why are so many people getting sick right now?
Why are we all at risk?
Why do people have to lose jobs or suffer financially?
Why do seniors not get to graduate (if that is the case)?
Why do students and teachers not get the chance to finish the school year?
Why do we have to be afraid when we go outside our homes?
Why is this happening?
Why do we feel so alone?
WHY GOD?
I can't say I have heard an answer to any of these questions but I am constantly reminded, despite my many questions, who God is. The most difficult part about this is: I don't know WHY. Most of us want to understand the reason behind everything that happens in life. We seek answers from our peers, the news, the Internet/social media, and come up empty. That's because we won't find answers (the truth) in any of those places. We need God. Stop searching in the wrong places. It's ok to cry out to God in this time-in anger, fear, frustration, hopelessness, brokenness. Just don't allow yourself to forget who God is. Don't forget what He's done for you. Don't forget to trust Him when you don't understand. Don't forget that no matter how much the world changes around us, God does NOT change. We can ask Him why things are happening, but we must realize He might not give an answer. Maybe not now. Maybe never. We have to learn to be ok with that because God has proven Himself faithful over and over again. God hears our every cry, but He doesn't have to respond to our every question. Although that can hurt, we cannot allow doubt to drive us. If our constant questioning reveals a lack of faith, then we need to stop and call it what it is. Doubt. Fear. Unbelief. Let's change our thought pattern. Ask God your questions but recognize, in faith, that He is still in control, even if He doesn't answer like you want Him to.