Searching for answers
Last week, after narrowly escaping serious injury from a falling tree limb, I pondered God’s grace, our mortality, and who controls our destiny. As a Christian, I believe God loves and cares for His children, but as an inquisitive human, I posed some challenging questions for us to think about:
- Do you believe God plans every moment of our lives?
- When tragedies happen, such as war, mass shootings, automobile accidents, and terminal diseases, has God planned those in advance?
- Why do some people escape an accident (not being hit by a tree) and others are victims of fatal accidents?
- Why are some people cured of a terrible disease and others die?
- Where is the hope when prayers for safety and healing aren’t answered?
- Has God already planned the exact date of our departure from Earth?
I invited those who were willing to share their thoughts about these hard questions. Many blessed me with wise and thoughtful responses.
Some expressed the view that these same questions have likely been asked by humans since Creation. God gifted us with a brain to reason, learn, and problem solve. We continuously gather new information and often question things we don’t understand.
No one chastised me for my lack of faith.
I appreciate those of you who joined me in confessing you also have pondered these same hard questions. Although, previously (not from this blog), I’ve heard some folks say that questioning God shows a weakness of faith and a disrespect for God. What do you think?
My view? I think it depends on the question. If we are questioning God’s sovereignty, His majesty, power, and glory–then that’s a problem. However, if we’re just seeking understanding, comfort, and peace, while still recognizing He is our Almighty Father, our questions do not show disrespect. However, our manner of asking could be disrespectful. We should always approach God with honor, respect, and love.
I understand that some things are not meant for us to know.
Examples?
The future…
If we knew the future, it might break our hearts, lead to depression, or prevent us from living an abundant life here on Earth.
The reasons…
Although we are created in the image of God–having some traits of our Holy Father–we aren’t God.
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
The mind of God is so far above us, we can’t know or comprehend all that He is. We are a child of His, much like the difference in knowledge and understanding of our very young children under the care of loving parents. Parents are called to love, care for, teach, and discipline their children and they blossom under our care. It’s much the same as we grow in our heavenly Father’s guidance. Just as we make decisions for our young children, God makes decisions for us.
Those who responded agreed on the most important aspects–our God is the Creator, our Father, and He is in control. While we may not understand why events occur as they do, our God has the Plan. While occurrences don’t always seem the best to our feeble human brains, God, the Master Creator and Planner knows best.
J.D. Wininger, my wise friend, shared this response:
I had to pause and thank God that He chose to spare you this falling limb. We know we can’t be spared all pain and trial, because this is how God chooses to grow us in our faith. We can be assured though that He is in control of every situation that He allows in our lives. Nothing happens in our lives that God has not allowed, and for His purpose (Romans 8:28). God’s blessings my friend; so glad you’re safe and secure in Christ.”
J.D. Wininger
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)
One more thing…
I quoted the Prophet Jeremiah in my previous blog, to voice my belief that God does have a plan for our lives and He wants what is best for us.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
However, I received a response on another social media site saying that “Jeremiah 29:11 wasn’t meant for us, but only addressed the Israelites in that specific time period.” In this person’s defense, God was speaking to the Israelites in reference to bringing them out of captivity. But aren’t we all held captive by something and in need God’s rescue? Aren’t God’s words applicable to His people throughout all generations and situations? Didn’t our Father rescue us by sending a Savior?
Jesus shares with us the assurance of Who is in control of our destiny:
Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
John 5:24
How do we answer our Lord?
Do we believe as Paul does?
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)
Sometimes it is difficult to ask questions we don’t always get an answer to.The things we don’t understand we should just trust God with. Someday we will know even as we are known. Until then we should fulfill our calling in faith and leave what we don’t know in His hands. This will keep us out of the anxiety of trying to figure everything out. Thanks for sharing, Katherine.
I think it is also difficult to realize that some of the questions we ask are not important in the big plan that is God’s. It isn’t that we don’t matter to God or that He doesn’t grieve along with us when we are in despair–what matters is exactly what you express–trust. If we believe He is God, then we trust Him in all things. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Barbara.
I was just having this conversation with a group of ladies this evening, Katherine. I’ve wrestled with these penetrating questions many times. I agree with the distinction you made between questioning God’s character versus questioning for understanding as we acknowledge that God is always good. Thank you for these thoughts today.
I wrestle with these questions, too, Annie. I’m glad I’m not alone. You study and write so well–perhaps you might tackle this challenging topic in the future? Thank you for joining in the discussion.
I’m thankful I serve God and (as stated in a comment) trust Him with my life and future. Thank you for making us think!
Thank you for pondering the questions I shared. There aren’t easy answers, but there is the obvious one. May our Father continue to bless you, LuAnn, and your ministry.
Katherine, I’m thankful you were spared. I don’t understand these things. I’m reminded of Job. When he had questions, God didn’t answer his questions. He showed him Himself. That was enough. If our questions lead us to a better understanding of God, they’ve done their job.
Debbie, thank you for pointing out Job’s faithfulness, even as Job voiced his lament to God. That’s such a good example. I love your answer to Job’s questions, God “showed him Himself.” God does that for us, too! Most especially when He sent Jesus to save us. Wishing you joy and blessings.
Thank you for these thoughtful couple of posts, Katherine. Thankful God kept you from harm! In a very dark time of my life, I came to a point beyond the questions and was just so very thankful He hadn’t left me, He loved me, and somehow He would untangle my heart mess. He did, thankfully, and I’m more confident now in His very purposeful hand behind the difficult things of this life. I appreciate the good reminders this discussion has given us ~
Wendy, I think my journey has been similar to yours. In a very dark time in my life, God showed me He was with me in the darkness and led me toward the light. He doesn’t promise us life will be easy (in fact Jesus reminded us following Him will be hard), but He is with us–through the darkness of the valley as He goes with us to the glory of the Light.
Wow! “Is questioning God a sign of the weakness of my faith?” If it is, then I need to be on spiritual life support my friend. I think that questioning of God, inquiring in His temple (Psalm 27:4), is a big part of what I call leaning into God. It is by asking questions that we discover and learn. As for your kind comment of being “wise”, I think myself more “wise guy” than “wise man”, but thank you for your kindness my friend. 🙂
My friend, you are talented enough to be a “wise guy” and a “wise man.” We farmers and ranchers have the ability to multi-task! Thank you for letting me know that you also question God to learn more. Our Father gifted us with a brain and the ability to think, reason, and strive to learn more. While we’ll never comprehend God’s mind, He means for us to use ours, to learn more about Him, to share our knowledge with others, and to serve Him in all things.
I think an entire block of people would crawl back under a blanket, cry out in pain of anziety, “Why Me?” For there are many, perhaps not as forward thinking as you or I, and would find a cause for a three day depression within this topic. Don’t know the why of it but as an observation. It is for these people I pray, who have a tragic call and flounder more than a bit. For Jesus knows their names too, and cares so greatly for them. If you are one of them, reading this, please know that Jesus has a soft side and will rescue you from the mirey clay and amen. Ol’ papa.
Jesus loves us beyond our ability to understand. Thank you for reminding us, Terry. He loves those that don’t know Him yet. It’s our task to spread that love to others as we share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Thank you for your faith and witness, “Ol’ Papa.”
Many things about life are hard to understand, and I’ve grown to accept that I’m not supposed to be able to understand them. This was hard for me because I’m analytical and like to figure things out. A Scripture I turn to again and again (paraphrased) is Proverbs 3:5 – Lean not on your own understanding, but trust in the Lord with all your heart.
I’m analytical, too, Candyce, and that trait makes it hard for us to accept things without knowing the why and how behind it. Proverbs 3:5-6 are go to verses for me, too. Thank you for sharing. Hope your week is filled with sunshine, joy, and blessings.
These are tough things to try to understand. I’m pretty sure part of the magnitude of God is proven by the fact that we cannot understand it all. Isaiah 55:8-9 is my go-to verse when His ways are difficult to comprehend. Thanks Katherine for reminding us how great He is.
I agree, Sylvia. God is too big for us to understand, although we keep trying! Isaiah 55:8-9 makes it clear, but I still struggle with it sometimes. Blessings!
I believe questioning God ultimately draws us closer. It means we are seeking.
I agree, Jennifer. Thank you for saying it so clearly. I’m always grateful when you share your wisdom.
So many times over my life, I have asked God the hard questions. I think now, I still ask but have learned that I just need to trust Him. God has me in the palm of His hand and that is enough for me, most days. Thanks for sharing Katherine.
I like this in your comment about trusting God, “God has me in the palm of His hand and that is enough for me, most days.” I think most of us are with you on that. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and being open about your feelings. Wishing you a joyful and blessed weekend!
I appreciated that you voiced the questions we all sometimes have, and I totally agree that when we ask these in faith, God understands and listens. If we look at the Psalms and Job we see that Job, David, and the other psalmists often asked tough questions and voiced their doubts. In those times, of doubt, God has helped me learn to trust that He’s my loving Father and does know best, but I still sometimes ask questions,and He doesn’t love me any less for those.
Thank you, Kathy. You say it so well! I especially appreciate this part of your message, “God has helped me learn to trust that He’s my loving Father and does know best, but I still sometimes ask question, and He doesn’t love me any less for those.” Yours is a message of trust, reassurance, and hope.
You have posed some powerful questions that I also cannot answer. Often when I take similar questions to the Father, the only response I get is “Trust Me.” It seems my finite mind cannot grasp all of the greatness of God, so I am just supposed to trust Him.
When I’m in the dark valley, I sometimes struggle with trusting God with my fear and doubt. Yet, I know that is when I most need Him. That is when it’s most important for me to submit and believe He is with me (as I know that He is). I’m like you, my feeble mind can’t grasp how great our God is.
I agree that God meant the Jeremiah passage to be for Israel, but I also agree with you that He has it there for us to see His faithfulness.
If we are His, He has a purpose for us and we will end up in good either here or there. Wonderful message. I love the interactive reporting you do here.
God bless, Katherine.
Thank you for sharing in the conversation, Nancy, and for your encouragement. May God bless you and your ministry.