Some say I should never ask, “Why God?” But, when I’m being authentic with God and myself, this question frequently runs through my mind. Why did my friend betray me? Why does it have to hurt so badly? Why did you allow this to happen, God?
Not that I ever got an answer but I did ask. A few times I even demanded a reply: Are you mad at me? Am I being punished? Still, no answer.
Job never got an answer either. He never understood why he was suffering. In reading about him, I know Job was being tested, but he never knew that and yet he trusted God.
It’s hard to trust when I don’t know the reason why. But God still wants my trust. So I must answer these questions if I want to bring myself to that trusting place: Can I let go of my desire to reason things out? Am I willing to live without an answer and with the anxiety that uncertainty brings? Do I really believe God has my best in mind?
When I decide God is trustworthy in spite of how my life looks, my focus shifts from Why? to I will trust God, regardless. With that change in focus I gain the courage to live where I am instead of where I wish I was.
There are still times when I wonder what God’s purpose is for allowing certain challenges in life. On those days, I once again purpose to trust him, in spite of not knowing why he allows those hurts and ongoing difficulties.
Reflection for Gaining More: Are you willing to trust God with the unexpected twists and turns of life-even when you don’t know the reason why?
