The Whys of Life

Sometimes life generates more questions than answers. 

Why did a parent die young?  Why was a young child hurt in a bizarre accident?  Why did a disease hit when life was getting especially busy and fun?  Why did one friend find her perfectly priced house quickly, yet another friend still waits for her home to sell?   Why was a less qualified candidate offered a dream job?  Why did a pay raise come exactly when it was needed the most?  Why didn't funds come through when they were vital to the budget? 

When the desires of our hearts seem beyond our reach and are not fulfilled, we ask questions, but no answers come.

When we think we are making the right decisions, and we think we are moving in the right direction, but the hoped-for results don't materialize, we ask questions, but no answers come.

When love is not reciprocated, we ask questions, but no answers come.

When we suddenly realize we have been blessed beyond our wildest imaginations, we ask questions, but no answers come.

When some marriages blossom and become a blessing to others, we ask questions, but no answers come.

When some children make good choices, walk faithfully with the Lord, and experience the fullness of life, yet others fail miserably in the same family, we ask questions; but no answers come.

Well-meaning friends and family try to help us make sense of life's whys.  Without hesitation they offer advice and conclusions.  However, when we try to make sense of countless whys, no answers come.  Internal and external discussions are discouraging and futile.

Instead of wasting precious time fretting over, even belaboring, the unanswerable, wouldn't our cherished moments be best spent elsewhere? 

Perhaps, our meditations and our time would be best spent with the One who has all of the answers.  Focusing on just being in God's presence brings peace and encouragement, even if He never divulges the answers to life's whys. 

Learning to trust God for who He is and for what He has already accomplished, rather than focusing on the troubling and baffling, is categorically the only way to live.  He is God, and we are not. 

 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways,"
declares the Lord.

"As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV).

 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; Proverbs 3:5 NIV

Trusting in God with ALL our hearts means:

- believing He knows what is best for us, even when we do not understand the

   whys

- believing He loves us more than anyone

- believing that when He allows bad things to happen to us, our families, or  

   our friends that even though we do not understand, He is still worthy of our
   confidence

- believing He is the same powerful, wise, unchanging God that Abraham, 

  Moses, and John knew  

- believing He deserves our wholehearted affection and attention every

   moment of every day
 

Trusting in God does not mean:

 - having faith in Him only in the good times

- having confidence in Him only when we understand the whys

- doubting that He loves us unconditionally, always

- disobeying Him or turning away from Him when life is not treating us

  exactly how we expect or want

- rebelling when we do not understand God's ways or His path

Handling life's whys is ALL about trusting in THE ONE who is worthy. 

Handling life's whys is all about trusting WHO the Lord is.

We can ask Him our questions because He can handle all of them, but we ask knowing He may choose not to enlighten us. . . and that is okay.   His thoughts, reasons, and actions are beyond are human comprehension, but we can know beyond a shadow of a doubt, that He will never leave us or forsake us.  HE is the answer to all of the questions that seem to have no answer. 

 Dear Heavenly Father,

Learning to trust You, Lord, especially when the whys outnumber the answers, is terribly difficult.  Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to encourage us and teach us how to live confidently.  You assure us that You always have our best interests at heart and that Your plan is always the best one to pursue.  Thank You for your instructions; thank You for your enabling, and most of all thank You for being trustworthy and faithful.  As we grow closer to You and as we know You more intimately, perhaps, the desire to have answers for life's whys will diminish.  I am certain You reveal all that we need to know on this earth.  I am convinced that You will bless us with more answers when we see You face-to-face.  Meanwhile, please help us face all circumstances and all moments with peace, determination, and fortitude.  Such boldness and fearlessness only comes in You and through You.  Thank You for continuing to mature us.  Amen.