The Big Question: Why?
Many people have faced circumstances in their lives that are extremely difficult and painful. When the tough times in life come, the question that often follows is “why?” Why do I have to go through this? Why didn’t God stop this? Why is this part of life so hard?
The “why” question is not an easy one to answer. But, in case you have never noticed, having an answer to the “why” question will not take away the pain. Even if you know the reason for an event in your life, the pain and emptiness are still there.
Some have concluded that since so many bad things in life happen that God must not be able to stop them. Rabbi Harold Kushner came to that conclusion in his 1981 book entitled When Bad Things Happen to Good People. Kushner wrote this book following the death of his son from an untreatable genetic illness. Kushner decided that God must be unable to stop the bad things from happening or He would.
Though I sympathize with Kushner’s journey and the trauma of losing a child, his conclusions are wrong. God is all-powerful and sovereign. He can do anything.
Rather than questioning God’s power, I think it is wiser to question our perspective. God sees things that we don’t see. He views things from a different vantage point than we do. He knows everything that is happening and will happen because of the struggle that we face. Even through the bad things in life, God will bring about good.
God also makes the most of the opportunities afforded by the difficulties we encounter. He can reveal Himself in new ways by doing great things in the storms we face. Those great things might include giving us the strength to press on, bringing others into a faith relationship with Him, or providing everything we need at just the right time. We will grow to know God in ways we would never have known Him if it were not for the tough times. Difficulties allow us to see God in different ways as He reveals Himself.
God also gives us the opportunity to be a witness for Him through the bad events. When we respond in faith and when we testify to God’s faithfulness in our struggles, those around us can be drawn to the God who is able to see us through the storms of our life. Our tough times give us a platform to proclaim the glory of God seen through His love, His provision, and His strength. Let’s use the trials to point others to Jesus.
We will all face difficult days. We can question and complain. Or, we can embrace the God who promises to never leave us and find in Him all we need to make it through. Some get caught up on the question “why?” Instead, let’s ask the question “what now, God?” And, let’s trust Him to see us through whatever comes.