Editor’s
journey
Questions
for God
SPRINGFIELD, MO. —
Life doesn’t always turn out the way we think it should.
A business deal goes bad. The car breaks down. A relationship
turns ugly. A well-paying job is lost. A physical condition produces
pain. We lose a loved one.
Certainly life has
its share of disappointments. Often it’s during times of
difficulty that we ask God questions:
•
Why did this happen?
•
Why me?
•
What did I do to deserve this?
•
God, are You angry with me?
•
What good can possibly come from this?
•
Why do the wicked prosper?
•
Will You punish those who hurt me?
•
How long will I suffer?
•
Am I under a spiritual attack?
•
What can I do to end this ordeal?
•
How should I pray?
•
God, are You still there?
Some believers feel
ashamed when they pose these kinds of questions to God. They assume
it demonstrates a lack of faith. But God is not offended by our
questions. In fact, He welcomes the conversation, because our
questions often reflect our level of reliance on Him rather than
our unbelief.
Jesus implied a question
prior to the Crucifixion: “Father, if You are willing, take
this cup from Me.” And, on the cross, He asked, “My
God, why have You forsaken Me?”
God knows our hearts.
He understands how our minds work. And He knows, ultimately, that
our trust rests in the promise of Romans 8:28: “In all things
God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called
according to his purpose” (NIV).
We shouldn’t
feel guilty for asking questions of our loving, merciful God.
It’s when we resort to mind games, denial, disobedience
and silence that we distance ourselves from Him.
God wants and waits
to hear our voices — in the good times and the bad —
because He loves us.
— Hal Donaldson
E-mail your comments
to pe@ag.org.
