I remember as a teen hearing a preacher preach that we should never ask God “why?” I wish I could say that I clearly remember the text and context of the message he preached, but I don’t. One thing I can say is that I remember his drilling that central point home in my mind. As I look back on my life, I remember telling myself over and over again, Don’t ask God why. However, I found that to be very difficult to practice. Instead, I tried to ask God, “what?” instead of “why?” “God, what are you trying to teach me in this trial I am facing?”
I asked God “what?” when my parents filed for bankruptcy and we lost the rollerskating rink that we owned. I asked God “what?” when my family moved from Illinois to middle Tennessee. I asked God “what?” when close friends of mine got into serious trouble and had to be kicked out of school. Again, when I learned my parents were getting a divorce, I asked God “what?”
However, I have learned that it is really not a sin to ask God why. It is only a sin when we fight against God’s plan and God’s working in our lives. You see, God is our Heavenly Father. Nobody loves us more than God Almighty! God wants nothing but the best for us in our lives. Sometimes the trials we face may seem to be insurmountable, but God is using those trials to make us into the person that God intends for us to become!
Over the years, I have learned some answers to the tough trials in my life; but I will be honest with you, there are still some unanswered questions in my mind. I am not sure if I will ever know the answers to some of them this side of Heaven, but I do know that God’s way is perfect, and He wants me to “come forth as gold.” It is my job to let the trials in my life draw me closer to Him every day and to trust Him more and more along the way! Whatever trial you are facing right now, turn to God and trust Him. The trial won’t magically go away, but you will feel reassured when you remember that He is working things out for the best in your life!