by Charleen Burghardt
Great News! I am getting close to publishing my book. It is in copyediting now. The title is “Where Hope Rises: 60 Devotions for Walking Through Grief with God.“
Here is my recent post: WHY?
Why does a loved one die of cancer? Why do children suffer?
Life holds many unanswered questions.
Our society continues progressing in medical science and technology, yet sickness and hunger still fill our world.
We question why.
As we pose those inquiries, we say, “Why is life so unfair?” We all carry the weight of lost dreams and hopes. Many of us mourn loved ones taken too soon by disease or misfortune.
Why is life so unfair?
Why does this world seem unjust?
Often, the “why” question seems to circulate in our minds. Sometimes, we keep the questions to ourselves; other times, we complain and scream as toddlers.
“Why?”
We express anger toward God, saying, “Why, God?” Conversely, we vent our frustration at others or circumstances. We can also blame ourselves by turning the query inward, wondering if we are good enough or worthy.
Why, God?
Inquiries are typical, especially when bad things happen. The question “why” has both existential and theological dimensions. Existential questions arise when we explore our existence, purpose, and what it means. Theological questions surface as we challenge or seek to understand God’s purposes. Do we hold the freedom to bring our most challenging questions before God?
Do we hold the freedom to bring our most challenging questions before God?
In the book When Bad Things Happen to Good People, Rabbi Kushner wrestles with the problem of justice. He tries to understand undeserved tragedies and where God is when suffering happens. Is God all-powerful? Why doesn’t he stop the bad things? Is God loving? Rabbi Kushner emphasizes the role of human free will and the imperfect nature of the world, which contributes to the problem of misery. Then, he redirects the reader’s focus by offering practical advice on how to cope with loss and find meaning in suffering. If we believe God doesn’t send bad things our way, we may more easily let go of our anger at God. When we let go of anger, we become more open to calling on God for support, compassion, and comfort.
When Bad Things Happen
When we look at Scripture, both the Old Testament and the New Testament, we find godly people, including Jesus, seeking reassurance through theological questions.
We are not alone in our questions.
Biblical examples of asking “why?”
Job
The biblical character Job questioned himself and God when he lost all his livestock and all his children in tragic events. Then, his body became covered with terrible boils, and he said in an ash heap, scraping his boils. Three well-meaning friends tried to find answers to Job’s affliction. They wondered whether Job sinned, but Job maintained his innocence. In the end, no clear answer came. The Book of Job leaves us with many unknowns. Yet, Job found peace in recognizing the limits of human understanding and trusting the mystery of God’s ways, even amid suffering and trials.
Habakkuk
Another example of theological questions is found in the Book of Habakkuk. The book deals with the “why” questions of evil and God’s justice. The prophet asks why God allowed evil to prevail. This time, God answers Habakkuk. Eventually, God will bring justice. The seer learns to trust God’s wisdom and states, “But the righteous one will live by his faith.“
Jesus
Even Jesus expressed questions on the cross. He uttered, “Why,” when he cried, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Mt 27:46. Jesus quoted Psalm 22, a Messianic psalm expressing anguish and despair. Our Savior suffered on the cross and identified with those who experience suffering.
Apostle Paul
Finally, the Apostle Paul had unresolved queries. While he didn’t openly question God’s authority, he conveyed frustration with unanswered prayers when he asked to remove a thorn in the flesh. He pleaded three times for the Lord to take it away. God spoke to him, saying, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” In addition, he experienced persecution from the Jews and Gentiles. He endured many complexities in ministry, was falsely accused, imprisoned, and faced obstacles to his mission. Unknowns abound for Paul.
We are in good company when we ask, “Why?”
Distress, suffering, and adversity are part of life. Trials and tragedies occur. We live in a broken and flawed world with physical bodies susceptible to illness. Natural disasters happen. Evil exists in our fallen world.
At the writing of this article, my son is facing the need for a liver transplant. Fear fills my family’s hearts, and “what if” questions fill our minds. He suffered and is faithful with multiple doctor appointments. Answers don’t seem to come. We hold complex faith dilemmas in this unwanted detour for my oldest son.
Unwanted detours
I recently read “Divine Disruption: Holding on to Faith When Life Breaks Your Heart“ by Dr. Tony Evans, Chrystal Evans Hurst, Priscilla Shirer, Anthony Evans, and Jonathan Evans. Much of the book centers on their reflections on Tony’s wife, Lois, dying. Dr. Evans and each of his four children grapple with what happened when they prayed and prayed for her healing from cancer. Ultimately, they voice unanswered questions and say they trust God when they don’t understand. “Faith is depending on God when you are living in the unknown,” Jonathan Evans.
In conclusion, it’s normal and okay to ask “why.” Maybe God will answer you as he did Paul.
We can also hold on to this verse: Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely” (1 Corinthians 13:12 NLT).
Faith depends on the Almighty and his wisdom in the middle of the unknown. There will be mysteries. In his book Walking with God through Pain and Suffering, Timothy Keller says, “Much suffering is mysterious and unjust.”
We can hold on to God in the mystery. Trust that God walks with us in our anguish. He is compassionate and offers comfort.
Grace Offers Hope,
Good morning Charleen. Thank you for the sympathy card you sent to me. I will pray for your son that the liver transplant will be successful and that he will be restored to incredible health. I’m also praying for your family. God is in control. Love you and God bless you. Diane