Why?

Posted on by Amie Posted in EncouragementTagged , ,

I like reason. I like to know everything behind an idea, everything behind a request, and everything behind a rule. Backstories are my specialties, and as a child, my favorite word was a simple question. Why?

The problem for me with the word why started in church. According to my teachers as a child, you aren’t supposed to ask God why. You aren’t supposed to ask why God made giraffes giraffes, or why he decided to make the sun be daytime. You aren’t supposed to ask him why he put you in your family, or why he didn’t send someone besides his only son to die. You aren’t supposed to ask why, even when a family member dies, or someone hurts you so badly you doubt you’ll ever be the same again.

I couldn’t understand why I wasn’t allowed to ask why.

And in fact, I still don’t.

As Christians, for some reason we seem to have been conditioned for easy believism. As Americans, we’re taught to take things exactly as they are. It’s all for a test, so as long as you can spout out whatever the teacher was teaching you, you have no reason to understand the why behind the fact.

But we aren’t supposed to just settle for what’s handed to us.

 The Bible says, “Prove all things, hold fast to which is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) We are supposed to ask WHY. Why do we believe the Bible? Why do we believe in God? Why does our faith make us act differently than the world around us? WHY?

One of my favorite books in the Bible is Job. I know, I know, a lot of people find it really depressing, but I personally don’t. Why? Because here is one book in the Bible where we see a conversation between God and a man who is suffering. And what does Job do?

He asks why?

And God answers him. Now, God doesn’t answer him with an easy answer, or even with an answer that you and I would want. God answers him, and God asks Job to trust. Because God is the God who hung the moon in the sky and created the great depth of ocean, and all of the things in-between. And maybe when you ask why, that will be your answer. 

I also love the minor prophets for the same reason. Here are small books that are often overlooked by the church today. Books filled with truth, filled with conversations God has with men like you and me. And these prophets as God why. In some of the books, they argue with God, they run from God, and yet. 

God doesn’t strike them dead. He doesn’t turn his back on them. He isn’t enraged that his chosen men are asking him why. 

Instead, he answers them. 

We should ask why. The Christian religion should be full of why’s. We should search for the answers, question the answers, and search some more. We should never settle for a “because.” Unless we know it’s something that just is. Like gravity.

What are some why’s that you are wondering about right now?

~~Amie~~

23 thoughts on “Why?”

  1. Reply
    Heaven says:

    I love this, Amie. I’m the same way, as well; disliking not knowing the reason for something. I wish I could understand everything that occurs in my life, but sometimes, the only answer is that it was apart of God’s plans. From August of 2020 to the end of that year, I had been wondering why I did not qualify for the National Bible Bee competition. I spent countless hours everyday studying the material, and yet, my rank was 157. I was so upset with God, but later, realized that during the trial, God was teaching me to trust Him and not focus so much on the things of this world; even if it is something good such as the NBB. But nonetheless, there is always something to learn, especially when we ask “why.” ❤

    Liked by 2 people

  2. Reply
    Hattush says:

    Thank you for this, Amie. I’ve been told by well meaning Christians that “why” isn’t ok. I wasn’t supposed to question the pain and if I did, I wasn’t a Christian but someone who was doomed to hell and I’d better change quick. It is so encouraging to read something like this.

    Liked by 2 people

  8. Reply
    Jana T says:

    I love this post!! Great job articulating this, Amie. I’ve been blessed with teachers who mostly don’t mind “why,” but I’ve also done a lot of studying on my own, which can sometimes be more productive.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. Reply
    lizziegrace says:

    I love this! This is so true and a lot of Christians need this truth. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I tend to ask why a lot too, though i have never been told not to. In fact, more recently i started asking why then when i was younger. And yet I haven’t had to talk to anybody because when I read my Bible God always has an answer waiting for me. Isn’t He amazing that way?
    Thanks again for sharing! ❤️

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Reply
    dawnfanshawe says:

    I agree with you. God made us with a degree of intelligence, curiosity and creativity – He made us in His image. And He’s not afraid of our questions, because He desires to show us His goodness and the wonders of all He is and all He made. He will answer our questions – some now (if we can grasp the truth) and more the greater our capacity becomes. When a child asks a question, we give an answer that will help them understand… as the child grows, we can expand the answer according to the capacity of its mind. I believe it is the same for us. Confined to time and space and a limited vision, we have many questions that in eternity we will understand the answers for.

    Liked by 1 person

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