 All
of must deal with unanswered "why’s" in life.
 | "Why did this have to happen now?" |
| "Why did it have to happen to me
and my family?" |
| "Why does injustice seem to go
unchecked?" |
| "Why do those trying to do right suffer?" |
Tough questions. They gnaw at us inwardly; they pick at your faith in
God’s goodness and power. "Why, why, why? If I just knew the
answer, I could face life much better." We work and study and
pray; still no clear answer comes.
The patriarch Job had unanswered "why’s" added to his
almost incomprehensible burdens. We know why he suffered (Job
1:6-11; 2:1-6),
but he did not understand why when it was happening. His friends’
answers to "why" did not touch the reality of his situation.
Even when God mercifully spoke to him and restored him (Job
38-42), no clear answer to why it had happened was given. In fact,
there is a strong note in God’s answer to Job suggesting that man is
incapable of handling some of the heavy "why’s" of the
universe. |
There will always be unanswered "why’s" around
while frail humanity lasts. So what do we do with those
unanswered "why’s" that weaken and worry us?
1) Turn them over to the Lord. He alone may know the answer.
His eye sees the end of a thing from the beginning; His wisdom makes
simple the most complex and seemingly contradictory matters of life. His
love and mercy assure us that we can live rich lives for Him in spite of
the "why’s" if we will but turn them over to Him. "Casting
all your cares upon Him...." (I
Pet. 5:7).
2) Turn them in to "how’s."
Instead of forever dwelling on "why’s" that seem beyond
answering, ask another question – "How?".
| "How can God use me and what has happened to glorify His
name?" |
| "How can I find strength to bear what has
happened?" |
| "How will this affect me in terms of eternity?" |
"How’s" can be tough to answer, but they often yield
more fruit for the effort than certain nagging "why’s". |
|
Maybe on the shore of eternity all unanswered "why’s"
will be forever banished;
but until then, we must learn to deal with them.
-- John Gardner,
October 2000 --
|
GNFY is published under the oversight of the
Alkire Rd Church of Christ elders, 2779 Alkire Road, Grove City, Ohio, 43123.
Please feel
free to reproduce as is. No changes may be made without permission.
|
Editor:
Mark Bass, Minister, mebass1957@aol.com,
(614) 875-1028
|
Youth
Leader: John Justus, (614) 274-9563
|
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