We've all had moments where we find ourselves asking God, “Why is this happening to me?”
Maybe it was frustrations at work, a bad diagnosis, family drama, or an unexpected bill.
We all know the pain and confusion that comes when those moments hit.
This month, my family has been going through one of those times. As I've attempted to navigate the situation, I've had my fair share of questions.
God, why is this happening to me?
And that's exactly where I caught myself. I realized early on that a question like this wasn't going to get me anywhere.
The answer wasn't going to take the pain away. It wasn't going to change that the chaos was still taking over my life.
This question was valid, but, friend, it's the wrong kind to be asking.
While the enemy wants circumstances like this to be a major hit to my trust in God, only I have the power to let it. Not on my watch, devil!
So, what questions should we be asking? This requires a heart posture of humility.
It's a hard dose of reality to realize that when we ask this question, we're questioning the omnisciency of the God of the Universe - the One has all wisdom and knows our past and future like nobody's business. If we approach these questions with a pride thinking that we know best, no answer will satisfy us.
But when we humbly come to God asking these questions, I've found that I'm left with greater peace, trust, and joy despite the circumstance.
1. God, why did you let this happen?
It's a spin on the initial question but it comes with a greater perspective. Only God knows what could've happened - what other options there were - and only He has to authority to let certain things happen to us.
While we might not get an answer on this one, this perspective is vital.
Whatever it was, God allowed this happen because He wants to use it for something good. It's against God's nature to have plans to harm, discourage, or abandon us (Jer. 29:11). Good is the only type of plan He can make!
Dear friend, don't let this situation take away your joy. I know it's hard, but refocus your mind on who God is - not how big the situation seems.
2. God, where can I grow?
I can't change what happened - no one can. But, in each challenging circumstance, we have a uniquely divine opportunity to use it to our advantage - to grow in capacities that we'd otherwise never know we could be stretched in.
If we aren't continually growing as Christians, we aren't simply staying in one place - we eventually backslide. We can't afford to stop growing!
Use this circumstance as an opportunity to become a better version of yourself.
Can you grow in a spiritual fruit or discipline? Ask the Holy Spirit to highlight areas that you can become stronger in. Diamonds are only formed with pressure - come out of this unfortunate situation shinning!
3. God, how can I know you better?
These moments are pivotal for our faith - they'll either break or build it.
The secret sauce of navigating a difficult season isn't simply surviving; it's clinging to God as our only hope.
It is only when we come running as a child that we can truly experience the character of the Father.
As we run to the Father in moments of distress, discouragement, fear, and those brutally honest “I have nowhere left to turn” times, we will experience greater depths of who He is to and for us.
Friend, I encourage you to dive head first into the endless ocean of His love for you. His mercy and grace are a hug that brings peace like nothing else can.
Cling to His Word. Make the extra effort to spend intentional time in His presence. Get down on your knees and pray like never before.
Ask, seek, and knock to know Him more until He answers (spoiler: He always does!).
Friend, these moments can be the very thing that grows you in ways you couldn't imagine! Don't get so fixated on the why that you forget perspective.
When I get to the end of the season that I'm in, I don't want to look back with regret because I let the enemy gain ground.
“When I get to the end of the season that I'm in, I don't want to look back with regret because I let the enemy gain ground.”
I want to look back at what he tried to do, laugh, and say, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good,” (Gen. 50:20).
What about you?