The Wrong Question

Have you ever found yourself asking God the wrong question? Maybe it’s the irritated “Why?” when you’re running late and a school bus turns out in front of you. Or maybe you’ve wondered “Why can’t I…” in response to some blessing or ability bestowed on someone else. The truth is, when our hearts are burdened or saddened or irritated, we tend to ask God the wrong questions.  The “Why”s of life are rarely answered, and instead of bringing us closer to God, who has all the answers, a heart of “why?” drives us away from Him in unbelief.

Job asked God “why” many times throughout his trial, but when God spoke to him, He didn’t answer the “why”—He answered the true question. Instead of asking why, perhaps Job should have asked, “Who?” Who is God, and how can I see Him, even in this dark time? God hadn’t changed: He was still the same God who created and sustained all things, and that truth is what brought Job to the place of faith, even before God restored him.

The psalmists also asked their own “why” questions, many of which center around the feeling that God has forsaken or is far away from them. But often, they voiced this question alongside statements of faith that God would not abandon them, that God would bring justice and comfort in His time.

In our times of trouble, distress, or simply frustration with the irritants of life, we need to remember to ask the right questions. Instead of asking “Why?” we can instead choose to ask in faith: “What is God doing in this situation?” or, “How does God want me to respond?”

Satan often tries to trip us up with thoughts of, “If God is good, then why…” But that’s also the wrong question. A response of faith will instead ask, “Since God is good, what does He have for me in this situation?” And the same applies to any aspect of God’s character we might lose track of in the midst of a trial.

Trials grow us. James 1:2-3 gives us a good summary of what trials are intended to accomplish in our lives:

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”

The trying of our faith works patience, which, when it is mature, makes us complete in Christ, prepared to obey God’s will victoriously, even through trials and temptations.

The saved in Christ have the certainty of knowing that Romans 8:28 is true: God will work all things together for good. Therefore, the “why” or “if”s we are tempted to utter when things go wrong are not only unprofitable for us, but are actually attacks on the very character of God. Unlike the psalmists, we have the entire Bible to draw from when fighting the lies Satan uses to provoke the wrong question. But like the psalmists, we serve the same, unchanging, unchangeable God who helped them in their distresses, and will also help us if we choose to respond in faith.

The question “Why would God…?” is another common question that comes to mind when things go wrong. When we are wrestling with circumstances that seem to run contrary to the nature of God, we can ask instead, “What about God hasn’t changed?” Of course, the answer to this is that nothing has changed, because God is immutable—He cannot change. But sometimes we need to go beyond the theological principle and get to the details of exactly Who our unchangeable God is. List out the things you know about God. Name them, remind yourself of them, and let yourself marvel at the perfect, unchanging character of your God.

“Of old hast Thou laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of Thy hands. They shall perish, but Thou shalt endure: yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall be changed: But Thou art the same, and Thy years shall have no end.” Psalm 102:25-27

We are called to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5) and part of taking those thoughts captive is choosing to ask the right questions. Philippians 4:8 tells us what God does want us thinking about:

“Finally brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

Dear Reader, how is it with you today? Are you asking the right questions about life and its complexities? Thinking on that which is true will mean rejecting questions rooted in Satan’s lies. Choose instead the faith-filled question that looks to God and trusts that He is still the same God today that He was when life felt easier.

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” Hebrews 13:8