Has tragedy and heartbreak led you to beg the question, “why?”
I closed my Bible as the tears that puddled beneath the surface finally burst free. I was growing bitter and resentful toward God. Only months earlier, our infant daughter was tragically killed in an auto accident that left me reeling with pain, questioning my faith, and groping for answers.
I wanted to know why. Why did she have to die? Why did God allow this? Why didn’t He come to our rescue? Why her? Why us? Why now?
Why?
That one little word unraveled me. I spent far too much time pondering these unanswered questions and, like a thief in the night, they managed to steal my peace and my joy. I wonder if you can relate?
The Bible offers several examples of hurting people who were also plagued by ‘why’ questions.
- Moses asks, “Why have you dealt ill with your servant?” (Numbers 11:11)
- David pleads, “Oh Lord why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I’m in trouble?” (Psalm 10:1)
- Job cries, “Why have you made me your mark, oh God?” (Job 7:20)
- Habakkuk asks of the Lord, “Why do you make me see iniquity and why do you idly look at wrong?” (Habakkuk 1:3)
- The disciples questioned, “Why was this man born blind?” (John 9:2, NLT)
I wasn’t alone in my wrestling. Trying to make sense of a good God in the face of tragedy and suffering is a common theme woven throughout Scripture. The sobering reality I had to accept is that suffering is simply a part of life. No one is exempt, and we don’t usually know the why behind the suffering this side of heaven.
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)
In spite of my lack of understanding, was I willing to surrender my heart to the Lord?
Some might argue my circumstances didn’t call for a surrendered heart. The hard truth was that my daughter died. Whether I chose to surrender my brokenness to God or not, nothing would bring her back. Yet deep down, I knew if I wanted to heal, surrender was necessary..
Join me on the JoyfulLifeMagazine blog to continue reading my personal story of tragedy and surrender.
Click —> Learning to Trust God with Our Why <— to read more.
For further encouragement, you might also be interested to read:
What if It’s Not About Me: Discover God’s Purpose for Brokenness
If Only You Had Been Here: Trusting God’s Love in the Presence of Suffering
God is With You: The one Truth You Need to Know to Conquer Fear
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