We May Ask Why
We May Ask Why
If the Lord Jesus cried out on His cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” is it okay for me to ask the question “Why?”
I wondered that for the longest time. My cries of “why God, why?” weren’t voiced out of anger. For the most part it was a human cry, a cry of desperation out of my own agony.
Over the years I’ve discovered it’s no sin to ask the Lord why things happen. God can handle our questions. But here’s the important thing: Can we handle His answers?
Yes, there are answers. So many of us get so caught up in asking “why me?” we may forget about seeking those answers. The fact is, we may not like them. They may be hard to swallow. But we can’t ignore the fact that God can and does give crystal clear answers to our heart’s deepest questions.
So why does God allow the hurt you’re facing today?
You might find part of your answer in the words of Peter:
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:12-13).
You see, part of the answer to the “whys” you are asking might be that God wants you to have a small share in the sort of suffering your Savior went through.
Paul echoes a similar thought:
Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory (Romans 8:17).
Once again God gives us at least a partial answer to our “why” questions. It’s almost as though God is saying to us “Why not?” If Jesus went through so much … so much suffering and heartache to secure for us that which we don’t deserve … if He went through the pain, should we complain if we have to endure a tiny part of what He went through on our behalf?
The Bible makes it clear that suffering is somehow intimately linked with the glory that lies beyond. The 1 Peter 4 and Romans 8 passages remind us we can rejoice over the privilege of participating in the sufferings of Christ so that we will be overjoyed when we share in His glory to come.
Now, that may not be the kind of answer we want or expect to the questions we ask of God. But God’s not the one who has to prove Himself here.
You’ve been more than ready to ask the questions. The real issue is, will you accept His answers?