5 Days Of Navigating Hard Times: A Prairie DevotionalSample

Questioning God

“Why did God let my wife and daughter die?” — Mr. Edwards

Even today, I wouldn’t have a quick or simple answer to Mr. Edwards’s question. When his family died of scarlet fever, he turned his back on God. Charles wanted Mr. Edwards to join the Ingalls family at church, but he just couldn’t get himself to go.

Our questions are important—they help us communicate with God. I no longer fear asking because I know God can handle our questions. He wants us to ask! Questions begin conversations with Him. And that’s what He’s after— a relationship with us.

Loss has a way of emboldening our spirits, doesn’t it? In the Bible, Moses boldly answered God with a question in Exodus 3:11. “Who am I to go to the king and lead your people out of Egypt?” (CEV). And David, while waiting, asked the Lord, “How long will it be?” (Psalm 6:3). Even Jesus asked, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” while hanging on the cross (Matthew 27:46 NIV).

The first time I questioned God was about my Grandma Lou. Cancer had already taken my Grandpa. Grandma and I enjoyed a special connection beyond sharing the name Lou.

Grandma Lou died in a car accident during a spontaneous trip to the mountains with friends. Especially with a major loss, we often question God’s goodness. How can a loving God allow such a terrible event? Why would He let us face such sadness?

Losing my Grandma forced me to surrender to God’s will. I opened my tight grip and started trusting Him to lead the way, even if the road was rough. The lessons I learned prepared me for future challenges.

God is bigger than our questions, bigger than our troubles. He sees every detail and knows that every tragedy has a purpose. We may never understand the reason for our suffering. Our hearts may feel forever broken. But when our souls ache, and we have questions on our lips, we see our need for Jesus. The questioning is what eventually brought Mr. Edwards to his knees and back to God. When we question we can fully engage— with our hearts open— to receive His comfort.

What hard questions have you asked God? How have the tragedies of your life led you closer to Him?