If you ever found yourself asking God “why,” you’re not alone. Maybe it sounds like, “Lord, why aren’t things going my way? Why are you letting me go through this struggle?” or another form of why me; maybe you’re asking, “why not?” instead. Everyone has asked God these questions. Still, asking these questions may leave you wondering if it’s okay to ask God, “why?”
The Bible Has Plenty of Questions
Numerous people in the Bible asked God questions. Moses questioned God about what name he should call Him in Exodus 3:13. In Luke 1:34, Mary wondered how a virgin could carry the Son of God. Jesus asked His Father if He would remove the cup of His wrath in Luke 22:42. God didn’t rebuke any of these people for asking questions. We also know that Jesus never sinned, so asking God questions isn’t wrong. There has to be a place for us to bring our questions to the Lord.
Still, there’s something slightly different about asking God why? In Job 3:11 and 20, Job questioned why he didn’t die when he was born. He also wanted to know why light is given to those in misery? Jeremiah wondered why the way of the wicked prospers and why the treacherous thrive in Jeremiah 12:1. In Psalm 22:1, David asked God why he had forsaken him and why He was so far from saving him from the words of his groaning. These examples let us know that there are times when it’s okay to ask God why. Scripture guides us, giving us words to echo when we bring our godly cry before the Lord.
Psalm 62:8 invites us to pour out our hearts before Him; this includes any questions we have. The issue is that in Jeremiah 17:9, our hearts are described as deceitful above all things and desperately sick. This means that just because we’re allowed to bring our questions to God doesn’t mean that we always do so in a godly manner.
The Reasons Behind Our Questions
When we’re going through hard times, it can bring on a host of questions. For example, if your child is diagnosed with a condition, it can bring a wave of grief throughout your home. You don’t know why God allowed your child to have this condition. More than that, you’re unsure of what the future holds or how to pray your way out of it.
Tribulations can make us question God’s purposes, character, and ways. However, what if those questions never get answered, especially over a long time? Even worse, what if we don’t like God’s answers? Do we fight or run away from Him? Or do we follow the example of Isaiah 55:8-9 and humble ourselves, trusting that His ways are higher than ours?
In these times is when our authentic hearts are revealed. Have we been brought our questions to God with meekness, ready to accept His will, or have we been making demands that we want Him to give into? Have we come to the Lord sincerely, or have we judged Him prematurely? If our hearts deceive us, is there any alternative?
God’s Help is Necessary
We need God’s help to live with our unanswered questions. We should trust Him even if He doesn’t answer our prayers or questions the way we want, even when our circumstances don’t change and we don’t see God working for our good. As hard as it is to admit, we can’t do everything alone.
When the Holy Spirit condemns us of sinful thought patterns or behaviors toward God, the only response is to repent. By repenting, we can turn away from the sins that entrapped us, confessing them to the Lord and asking for His forgiveness. In 1 John 1:9, the apostle John ensures that “If we confess our sins, God is faithful and will forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
When temptation rears its ugly head, the apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 10:13 that God is faithful and He won’t let us be tempted past your ability, and He will make a way of escape that you may be able to endure it.
A Supernatural Prayer
In our suffering, it’s natural to question God and ask Him to take away our pain. The Holy Spirit’s work enables us to give our grief to God and pray instead, “Even if our trials don’t change, use them to change us, to help us, love, know, and trust more. God, reveal Your true character to us and help us cling to Your promises. Please help us honor you in our afflictions.”
When we pray this way, we’ll see that God’s grace is sufficient. 2 Corinthians 12:9 shares that His power is made perfect in our weakness. We won’t find our hope in having all of our questions answered. Still, our hope comes in trusting and knowing the God whose ways are past our understanding.
Some of our questions, including why may never be answered. There’s a lot we don’t understand and may never comprehend. Still, we should consider the message of Deuteronomy 29:29, which says, “The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever.” There may be some secrets regarding our confusion that only belong to the Lord; a lot has been shown to us. God’s ultimate plan for redemption through Christ is the biggest thing that’s been shown to us.
After suffering numerous losses of property and wealth and losing his ten children, Job proclaimed that he knew his Redeemer lives and would stand on the earth. Even after his skin is destroyed, he will still see God, who he will see for himself. There’s nothing wrong with asking God questions, and it’s okay to ask God why. However, the problem comes when we feel God doesn’t answer our questions the way we want, or we have to wait for our answers. While waiting for Him to answer our question, we should give thanks for His mercy and favor.
