Do you ever ask God why? We all have moments when we would like answers, but Fiona explains that this is where trust comes in.
“He said to His disciples, ‘Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?’” (Mark 4:40)
Why?
That’s not a question I usually ask or dwell on, but today I found myself wondering–
Why I never married?
Why I never got to have children?
Why I don’t have many friends?
And I guess that leads to another question: What’s wrong with me?
Those questions seemed to be just part of the things I’ve had to accept about life as I’ve learned to live with pain and the limitations that brings to my life.
I remember people asking at times, did I blame God for what happened in the accidents? I don’t think I ever did, because I’ve always believed God had a plan for my life and if that included pain and those accidents–that He could have prevented–He had a reason for it. And I trusted Him in that.
So why these questions now? Why do I feel the need to ask God why? Aren’t those things that often leave me feeling very alone for human company, also part of God’s plan for my life? Is it so hard to trust God in that too?
I guess I’m not sure I know the answers to many of those questions and maybe I never will. But there is one thing I do know and that is that God loves me and has a plan for my life.
God doesn’t think there’s something wrong with me. There may be things He’d like me to change, but He loves me anyway and when I feel alone, He is always there.
I know I don’t have to have all the answers, if I’m trusting each day to God and His plan, but there are still times when I’d just like to understand.
It has been said, there are 502 references to “why” in the NIV Bible. Some are questions of God or Jesus, many questions Jesus asked His disciples, like the verse above when they were in the boat on the Sea of Galilee. I think that means God doesn’t mind us asking the why questions, but He wants to assure us that He has an answer to all of them–and we just need to keep trusting in that.
Prayer: Father, Thank You that You love me even when I’m asking why things have to be this way. Help me to trust my faith in You, no matter what each day brings. Amen.
About the Author:
Fiona Burrows lives in Melbourne, Australia. She is thankful for the difference God makes in her life, and the lessons He is teaching her, as she lives with chronic back pain. She enjoys finding time for reading, writing, and photography, and to travel when she is able. You can contact her in the Sunroom.
Do you ever ask God why? When have you needed an answer to a “why” question? Does your faith help you trust in God when you don’t feel you have an answer to your question?
We all have times when we ask God why. When you ask God why you are not lacking faith, but seeking understanding and wisdom. But there is also a time to trust. This is a beautiful song by Mandisa “He is With You,” that reminds us there is a time for it all.
Ti’s for the encouragement. I have deft said why but have also realized this pain & illness can be a gift. Go has prepared specific people that will be encouraged because I can be empathetc & show them Gods abundant love as He has shown me. Thank you Fiiona for sharing your gifts with me. God blessyou. Diane
we live on earth not the garden of eden or heaven !!
Hi Fiona,
Nice devotional and one where you share from the realities of where you are “now” ( well, guess you always do that ).
I don’t think that I ask God, “Why” rather than reflect on the areas in my life that are not what I would have planned or desired. There is a difference and it is also okay to ask Him, “Why”.
It is in searching with Him that we can come to some resolve in our emotions about the pains in our life – both the illness pains and the emotional voids that some of us have who have not married or had children and who find ourselves more isolated than we’d want. There are so many areas of our lives where we trust that He has a plan but we just do not yet know where the puzzle ( to us ) pieces fit together.
I like to reflect, at times, on some pieces of understanding that are clearer from seeing them in the perspective of years later when I can look back. It may just be that in time that a few more pieces will become clear – or not.
One book that I like so much is a good fit with your message. It is by Anne Graham Lotz and is titled, “Why? Trusting God When You Don’t Understand”. It is a small volume but one that really helped me – and still does.
Love,
Lynn
REPLY
I hope writing these brings you as much encouragement as reading them does, Fiona.
Love this song video too. Thanks!
Hi Fiona,
It’s Jenny from Perth. Thanks for your devotional. How are you going this week? Do you have extended family in Melbourne who help, provide company etc? Trusting God with the isolation of chronic illness is always the difficult one, but I’m getting quite bold at church telling people about it.
Praying you have a good day,
Love
Jenny
Fiona, thanks for your honesty, vulnerability & encouragement.
I ask the “why” questions sometimes, not so much for myself, as for my middle son. I seem to cope ok, mostly, with me. However, I find it terribly difficult seeing my 23 year old son….debilitated, lonely and very ill for 6 years. He NEVER complains, unlike his mother, despite having lost so very much. I see him being transformed, being turned into gold, with a maturity unmatched by anyone else I know. Yet, here is where the “rubber hits the road”……in trusting God that my son’s Job experience is truly His hand. Here’s where the questions become unending & I have to get to the place of simply being still at Jesus’ feet, trusting, loving & being with Him. I am thankful that He knows better than me, though sometimes I question that! LOL!
Bless you Fiona, as you continue to bless us with your devotional writings through your life. Hugs. Lotsoluv Kerryn
I can totally relate to Kerryn’s comments about having a son who suffers with illness and loneliness, and I can relate to watching the transformation albeit a painful transformation. I find my “whys” seem to surface
when I’m not seeing the goodness of God in my heart and I’m looking for the proof of His love in my situation–which is not always clear. The cross….it’s clear at the cross if I can get focused there. Thanks for the encouraging words and the reminder that we are not alone in this loneliness:)
Amy
just say now i TRUST U GOD…………………/