Asking "Why?"

[irishman]

Asking "Why"?

Whenever tragedy strikes, we almost always as “Why?” It may be out of self pity or remorse, or whatever, but the first thing we ask ourselves is “Why me?” Friends, “Why” has no answer; there is no satisfactory answer to the question, none that explains the reason for such malady at the time. We are better off not to ask. Asking “Why?” merely adds to the frustration of the moment, it poses another prOBlem for us at a time when we do not need any more prOBlems; it causes us to dwell on the borders of bitterness.

Tragedy strikes in every life; every man or woman will have a “run in” with tragedy sometime, and prOBably several times, in their lives. It is better to prepare ourselves by realizing that there is no answer to “why”, and we need not dwell on the question. We will have enough to deal with, and to think about just getting through the prOBlem we face. One man used to say “Y is a crooked letter that cannot be straightened”
Meaning, I suppose, that if you straightened up the letter “Y” it would no longer be a “Y”. In other words, “Why” usually cannot fix the prOBlem, at least not in most cases. It may give you a starting point in avoiding another disaster, but in most cases of the heart, it only adds to the misery. Why even ask “Why”? And “Why me?” seems awfully arrogant! Why not you? Why not me? I deserve whatever it is, I am sure, but “Why did this happen to me” seems to say, “I am different than others; I can understand this happening to some, but me? I am above that!” When tragedy strikes, run to the loving arms of Jesus, and abide there for a time, and He will see you through.

[Anon]

I've been thinking about this lately....not fully the "why" aspect...but...

Some Christians teach that God orchestrates every little thing in our lives. And then definitely the question "why" would be a very deep one.

But I've been thinking...I think many times life just runs its course....and God is there to help see us through the rough times, but He didn't necessarily "cause" or even "allow" those bad times (although of course he can and does intervene). Rough times happen to everyone...sometimes its a result of bad choices and other times its just the way the cookie crumbles. If we realize that its just "life" just like everyone else has to live through "life" we can go to God and ask Him to see us through.

Sometimes I think the teachings that God micromanages everything in life is what causes some of the bitterness...you know, a kid dies, and people think "God killed my child" and yeah that's tough. But if they could just know that "Sin killed my child...germs killed my child...sickness killed my child, just like its killed millions of children before mine...but God will help me get through this, and He knows..." At times God chooses to intervene and heal but many times I think he just allows us to suffer through "life" at times, and tells us that he will help us be strong through it.

What do you think? I realize there is a supernatural battle behind the scenes but I do not know that its behind every germ, every cancer cell, or every wrong turn at the car wheel...???

[Brother Rick]

I think bad things happen because we're on a sin cursed earth. We can at least rest in the promise that God will work things out for good one way or another (Rom. 8:28).

My pastor always says that when bad things happen we shouldn't ask "why", but rather we should ask "what". What can I learn from this? What does God want me to do in the midst of this?

We are to be thankful IN all things. It doesn't say we're to be thankful FOR all things. I'm not thankful for my father passing away, a lot of dreams that I had as a boy died with him, but I can find a way to be thankful for other things in the midst of a trial.

[Anon]

Yeah...

Some of the hardest questions are "Why did God do this to me but spare the other person?" (For instance, two sick kids...OR for instance, I lost my mom 14 years ago and "everyone else" still has their mom to go to as a friend and confidant) but the more I think about it, the more that isn't the right question. Things happen to everyone at one point or another.

[John81]

Scripture seems to be pretty clear that all things are in God's hands and nothing can, will or does happen unless God causes or allows it for His own perfect reasons.

Nothing is tiny or "too small" for God. In fact, God is so Almighty that His control extends to everything. God has a name for every star and knows the exact number of hairs upon our heads. A sparrow cannot fall without God.

In the life of believers we are told God works all things together for good. So whatever a believer is dealing with whether good, bad or seemingly neutral, it's a part of God's overall plan for good.

After Jesus told Peter of his future Peter asked Him about John and Jesus told Peter that was none of his concern. Rather Peter's concern was to be following Jesus and not wondering about another person. This should be ours as well. No matter what we are to follow Christ and put Him first.

The Lord gives and takes away for our good.

Really the "why" is answered, it's for good according to God's plan. Now, what would the Lord have us to learn through this and how may the Lord use us.

[Brother Rick]

Yeah...

Some of the hardest questions are "Why did God do this to me but spare the other person?" (For instance, two sick kids...OR for instance, I lost my mom 14 years ago and "everyone else" still has their mom to go to as a friend and confidant) but the more I think about it, the more that isn't the right question. Things happen to everyone at one point or another.

I hear ya.