Why?
If you're a parent, you've surely been asked the why question. "Mom, may I go to the concert (ball game, carnival,....you fill in the blank)?" "No". "Why?" A legitimate question? Probably not. More than likely it is just an opener for debate, and you know it. That's why the answer back is often, "Because I said so!" Oh, do I remember the aggravation I felt when my mother said that.
So, this begs the question, "Is it ok to ask God why?" Has tragedy ever hit you? More than likely, that was the first thing that popped out of your mouth. Are you requiring an answer from God? Yes, I think so. Is he offended at that initial response? I think not.
What about the day to day question of why? Do we avoid asking God because it seems rebellious? I believe we do. But maybe we need to rethink that. After all, if we can't ask God why, who can we ask? Does he always give us an answer? No. Especially not at first. The answering of those big, agonizing whys may take years.
When are whys important? How about, "Why is my marriage failing?" I'll bet that is a question God would be happy to answer. The question is, are we ready to hear His response? Because I can tell you this, he's not going to say things such as, "Because your husband is selfish!" Do you know why? Because your husband may very well be selfish, but telling you that isn't helpful. Instead, He'll point out your selfishness, because there surely is some. It may only be ten percent of the problem because your husband is full blown selfish whereas you're only a little bit. But if you're going to ask the question, God's going to take advantage of it. Maybe that's why we don't ask the why questions.
The point is, our why questions need to be sincere; not a demanding rebellious why. If we are asking God why because we are open to having the spotlight put on our own sin and shortcomings and allowing God to take us to higher ground, we are not asking amiss. In fact, it may be the best question we could ask.
So, this begs the question, "Is it ok to ask God why?" Has tragedy ever hit you? More than likely, that was the first thing that popped out of your mouth. Are you requiring an answer from God? Yes, I think so. Is he offended at that initial response? I think not.
What about the day to day question of why? Do we avoid asking God because it seems rebellious? I believe we do. But maybe we need to rethink that. After all, if we can't ask God why, who can we ask? Does he always give us an answer? No. Especially not at first. The answering of those big, agonizing whys may take years.
When are whys important? How about, "Why is my marriage failing?" I'll bet that is a question God would be happy to answer. The question is, are we ready to hear His response? Because I can tell you this, he's not going to say things such as, "Because your husband is selfish!" Do you know why? Because your husband may very well be selfish, but telling you that isn't helpful. Instead, He'll point out your selfishness, because there surely is some. It may only be ten percent of the problem because your husband is full blown selfish whereas you're only a little bit. But if you're going to ask the question, God's going to take advantage of it. Maybe that's why we don't ask the why questions.
The point is, our why questions need to be sincere; not a demanding rebellious why. If we are asking God why because we are open to having the spotlight put on our own sin and shortcomings and allowing God to take us to higher ground, we are not asking amiss. In fact, it may be the best question we could ask.
James 1:5-8
New Living Translation (NLT)
5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. 6 But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.
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