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Asking "What" Instead of "Why"


Life is not easy and it is not void of struggle, challenges, pain, sorrow, loss, grief, and suffering. I am sure I can come up with more words than that, but this article would soon blossom to two to three pages in length.

I am sure we are familiar with the trials and frustrations of Job in the Old Testament. Some of us might even be familiar with the words of Habakuk in 1:2, “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?”

When things don’t go well or something tragic or unfortunate befalls us, we are faced with the struggles of crying out to God, “why me?” “Why, God, did you let this happen?” Many times, we too, grow frustrated and angry at God, for how He chooses to work within our situations and circumstances.

We sure do end up asking God a lot of “why” questions. I believe “why” could be the wrong word to be using. Asking “why” seems to imply a lack of faith, ungratefulness, and, somehow, that we think God owes us an explanation, an answer or reason as to what befalls us. After all, don’t we remember Romans 8:28, that “…we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God….”

Instead of asking “why” shouldn’t we, instead, being using the word, “what?” That is, ask God questions using the word “what”….for example:

  1. God, what do you want me to learn from this situation?
  2. God, what changes are you asking me to make in my life because of this?
  3. God, what are you teaching me about You in this?
  4. God, what are you teaching me about me in this issue?
  5. God, what do you need me to repent of…change…redirect in my life? 
There can be more “what” questions, but I think you get the idea. Yes, there is a time to grieve, be upset, and mourn loss, disappointments, and other events in life, but they should not be the catalyst for blaming God or accusing Him of being unloving, mean and vengeful.

I am not saying we can’t ask “why” questions. I am saying that it is more beneficial to our spiritual growth and the maturing of our faith to spend our time seeking after what God is teaching, showing and revealing to us amongst such events in our lives. If we are willing, God will show us something new about Himself, ourselves, and the situation.

Yes, we may have to make tough decisions to make restitution, find another job, quit or break habits and give up certain aspects of our lifestyle. If we are willing to respond obediently to what God is revealing to us, He is faithful and will open new and refreshing ways in our life that are fulfilling, healing, restorative, and healthy for our mind, body and spirit. When your disposition changes, you begin to change…and that change affects those around you for the good as well. Start asking those “what” questions!!

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