Why God?

You likely have many questions surrounding your loved one’s death. God loves you and He wants you to bring your questions to Him.

Many times, we feel like the LORD is not someone we can talk to, someone we can seek answers from, and someone very far away. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Scripture tells us that “God is our very present help in times of trouble” (Psalms 46:1).

When tragedy hits, HE should be the first One we go to for direction, help and answers! Why?

Because God wants us to share our feelings and be open and honest with Him.

Being honest with God about your feelings is a deeper expression of your faith in Him. God can handle our questions, our pain, our hurt, our anger, and He wants us to seek Him. But we also need to remember He is sovereign and He doesn't always answer our questions the way we expect Him to. We need to learn to trust in Him no matter if He gives us the answer or not.

In the midst of His suffering on the cross, even Jesus asked why . . .

“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”—Mark 15:34

We see that even Jesus asked God why and GOD chose not to answer Him. But Jesus also said, “May it not be My will, but Yours be done.”

Sometimes HE allows things that hurt to produce things HE loves! Asking why is not wrong. HE wants us to ask, seek, and look for HIS sovereignty.

“Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you shall find, knock and the door will be open for you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it and the door shall be opened”—Matthew 7:7-8

Wrong assumptions about God can intensify our pain.

When I have wrong assumptions about God and His plans such as, “Good people shouldn't suffer” or “My plan is God’s plan,” we can often experience greater pain and frustration as we wait for God to do things the way we want them done. And this sometimes leads to us closing ourselves off to the path of healing that God has for us.

Jesus said; “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

God wants to be our source of strength.

God is sovereign, God is good, and He understands our pain. We can be assured that whether God answers or not, He knows what is best for us. In Isaiah 40:31, it says, “But those who wait on the Lord Shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.” In Matthew 5:4, we're told, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” And in Psalm 46:1-2, we find that “God is our refuge and our strength, a very present help in time of trouble.”

Pause/Pray

Get alone and pray everyday. It will help you understand that even if God doesn't give you all the answers you seek in the way you want them, He will walk with you through your journey from mourning to joy, and beyond.

Practice

Read your Bible. God, through His Word, will speak comfort, encouragement, love and strength to you in this incredibly difficult time.

• In what ways have you shared your feelings with God? Is it through your prayer time, writing your thoughts in a devotional, or sharing with friends? What way has brought you the most comfort?
• Be mindful that He sometimes chooses not to give us the answers we're asking for. Answers always direct our thoughts to the past and that can’t heal our hearts. However, putting our faith and trust in HIM always point us to the future, which will heal our hearts.