A repost from April 16, 2018
“He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17 (ESV)
It’s a question we all ask throughout our lives. Our why moves from genuine curiosity, to questioning authority, and finally becomes a need to understand pain or the serious issues of life.
Early on we exhaust those around us with the endless curiosity of a child. I remember when my sons arrived at the peak of their whys. On the days I needed to get my thoughts together for the tasks ahead, I would get them to play the “let’s see who can be the quietest” game. It didn’t take long for them to catch on, at which point they happily volunteered to lose.
The teen years when my sons challenged my authority with their whys were hard. Once I was checking over my son’s phone and saw that he had labeled my cell number as Warden and our home number as Jail. I changed my cell to I’ll Always Love You and the house number to Where You’re Always Welcome. I wanted him to see those messages whenever those numbers rang his phone.
I tried my best to welcome all the whys my sons could muster. I went to great lengths to give a reasonable, clear understanding (based on their ages) of their why, only closing down the discussion when it became obvious their whys had moved from genuine to argumentative.
As they’ve grown to adulthood and their whys concern the more serious aspects of life, I’m well aware that I fall short of their need for answers. Their evolving whys need adequate answers that combine instruction, wisdom, and comfort.
They need a love that embraces brokenness, grace that forgives the past, mercy that encourages for the future, and truth that keeps them steadfast no matter the question.
There will be intimate, deep, soul-searching questions on how to make sense of life.
I am completely okay with not having all the answers, because I’ve been pointing them to the One who has been providing all those things for me.
God welcomes our why. You can bring your why to Him in curiosity, anger, pain, or confusion. While He will not argue with you, He never tires of hearing your voice.
It is His heart to comfort, instruct, equip, and heal. He’s gently received mankind’s whys on all matters of life since the beginning of time. He can surely receive your why as well.
In all that time He’s never tired of our drawing close to search His heart for answers to life’s most challenging questions. Keep your why authentic, and open your heart to receive His response.
Now LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!
These questions are in no way a substitute for healthcare professionals or any level of professional counseling. I’m an advocate for taking care of oneself mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. These questions reflect my heart, NOT my profession.
This questionnaire is an opportunity to journal your thoughts and feelings. It can serve as a launching pad on which to evaluate your heart condition as you understand it. My hope is that you will take what you discover and hold it up to the Light to evaluate it against who God says you are.
- Do you have a why still pressing on your heart that God has not answered? What is your why?
- Knowing that you are precious and chosen by God, would you be willing to consider a few examples of why God has not answered? God cannot be put into a box, but here are a few examples of times I didn’t get my why answered. I asked out of pride, selfish gain, lack of sincerity/genuineness, or I simply wanted to argue.
- Reading these examples I shared, do you gravitate to one that might reveal your heart condition in relation to your unanswered why?
- If you’ve identified a possible reason you may not have received your answer (i.e., pride), what was the reason behind the motive of your heart?
- What can you do to approach God’s wisdom with a different heart condition on this matter (i.e., sincerity, humility, and even the simplicity of a child) and ask Him again?
Because God is unique to every individual and He appeals to us in our uniqueness, there is no hard and fast reason why God may not answer. But because God gave His one and only Son to die on the cross and make a way for us to know Him, you can bet that if He has withheld your answer, it is meant for only good.
Use God’s word to take control over traumas in your life. Whenever you feel terrorized by your thoughts, take them captive by replacing them with the truth of God’s promises found in His word.
Print, then cut and carry this Scripture with you and/or post it in places where you will see it often. Ground yourself in God’s truths not Satan’s attacks. Encourage your heart and mind every time you are reminded of His great love for YOU!
Here is what God’s word says about His unfailing, relentless, unending love for you:
“Have you never heard? Have you never understood? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth. He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding.” Isaiah 40:28
Read God’s word and remind yourself: God’s power and abilities are far beyond my human understanding—but I can know Him! Through His Son, Jesus, I can have an intimate personal relationship with Him. I can experience His power and protection in my everyday life.
Now LIVE LOVED and THRIVE!
