“God… Why did you let the person I loved so dearly take their life?”

“Why cancer?  Why now when I am still so young?”

“Why doesn’t my Dad or Mom care about me anymore?”

 “Why one financial crisis after another one?  Why can’t I ever get ahead?”

“Why did they leave me?  Why did they just walk away after all we’ve been through?”

“Why can’t you just touch their heart so they see the hurt they are causing?”

“Why did you let them die when you knew how much I needed them now?”

“Why…Why do you allow such suffering in this world?” 

“Why can’t you just put a stop to all of this?”

I’m fairly certain that each of us has come to a point in our lives when we asked a “Why?” question – trying to understand the meaning behind something that makes no sense or has no logical explanation.

These “whys” can leave us feeling vulnerable.  When we don’t understand why, it can create a high level of fear and anxiety – especially when we realize how limited we really are in controlling and correctly discerning the events that transpire in our lives.

In my own life, “why” questions have played a major role in the closeness and intimacy of my relationship with God.  If God really loved me, why would He allow this to take place?  He promised me an abundant life, so why all this despair and disappointment?

The “whys” made me question His existence, His motives, and His character.  Why would I serve or follow a God who didn’t care about what happened to me? 

One night, as I focused on all the “why” questions in my life, I heard something deep inside me – a tiny, small whisper that said, “It’s not about why. It’s all about what.”

What do you believe?

Do you believe in your own power of reasoning or in the unfathomable, divine discernment of an all-powerful God?  Do you believe your personal interpretation of the events of your life are more accurate than those of an Omniscient and Omnipotent God?

What do you believe?

Do you believe that fate drives your life or that it is under the control and loving care of God?  Do you believe evil, flawed people have greater control over what happens in your life or do you believe that God has the final say?

What do you believe?

Do you believe sickness and disease are random acts that come upon us – that God is surprised or unaware of their presence?  Or do you believe that God has the ultimate say when it comes to the life He has given us – when we are born and when we leave this earth?

What do you believe?

Do you believe you are in sole control of creating your own wealth and prosperity, your own health and well-being, or do you believe God is the Source of all things?  Do you believe in Him as the Provider and Sustainer of all you have or do believe it is all up to you and your own ability?

What is it that you believe?

Do you believe you are here for a broader, greater purpose or do you believe life is about fate, random luck, and good breaks?  Do you believe life is strictly defined by the 80-90 years here or do you believe it stretches far beyond that?  Is it all about having money, a beautiful mate, fancy clothes and lots of material possessions, or is life about more – both now and beyond death?

What do you believe?

You see, when you stack up all the “why” questions you have about your own life and you place them next to “what” you believe, the power of knowing “why” starts to diminish.  Overwhelming doubt and uncertainty turn into a quiet, peaceful assurance 🙂

When you start to question why, learn to lean more on what it is you believe about this life, about God, and about this world.  You will find that “what” is far more important than “why” in the long run.

God bless!