I think one of the most common questions asked by both those who believe and those who don’t is, “Why me?” It is likely most, if not all of us, have asked that at one time or another in our life.
“Taking it on the chin” is not easy. Suffering is never easy. It gets worse as the suffering lingers. It gets worse when we see suffering as a punishment or as “God is getting even with me for something bad I have done.” The bottom drops out of our lives and we begin to wallow in self-pity, or worse, languish in despair. We begin to see no end to our pain, no end to the dead end road we are on, no end to the endless circle our life seems to be taking.
Do you mind if I take us in a different direction for a moment? Perhaps instead of asking, “Why me?” we should start asking, “What now?” I heard Joni, a quad since her teen years, express it that way. Instead of languishing in pity, maybe a more productive question would be, “Now that this has happened to me, how should I react?” Maybe a better response would be to ask ourselves how we should react to this trial, this suffering, this test I am going through?
Here’s an example I recently read: In 1953, a fledgling business called Rocket Chemical Company and its staff of three set out to create a line of rust-prevention solvents and de-greasers for use in the aerospace industry. The original secret for WD-40-which stands for Water Displacement 40th attempt-is still in use today. Its most recent net worth was 1.3 billion.
Let’s ask an obvious question: what if they had stopped at #39 and gave up in defeat? What is Joshua and the children of Israel had stopped at Day 6 or even Day 7 walk-around #6? They would have missed #7 and the opportunity to watch the walls of Jericho fall.
We are told in Isaiah 40 that those who wait/hope in the Lord will renew their strength. Don’t give up. Don’t quit. Don’t wallow in pity. Use this as an opportunity to grow.
I think if we all look through the coarse of our lives, we can identify many times where setbacks, failures, and/or suffering has impacted us. Some may be in the midst of something right now. The pressure of these times make us stronger. These are the times we can choose to learn from and grow or we can simply exist. It would be a shame if the opportunity to grow was ignored and the circumstances wasted. Diamonds are formed under great pressure. When we face the pressure of life, know that God’s original plan didn’t include suffering. It didn’t include pain. It didn’t include sorrow or death. But the broken world in which we live is the reality. God takes what the enemy has intended for evil and is producing the most beautiful diamonds that we can imagine. Don’t give up and Don’t give in… Just give it to our loving Father who wants only the best for us and knows that best will be produced in the end.
You said a mouthful here Ryan. But all of it very true. None of us will or can escape issues coming up but we can learn to take them to the Father and rely on His help in handling them.
Amen!
You’re right, Bill. ‘What’ questions can lead us down some really helpful paths. ‘Why’ questions seem to take us nowhere except round and round …
I have certainly found that out myself Linda. I tend to think the Why” question will continue keeping us in the dark whereas the “What” question can lead us to finding answers and dealing with the issue. Thanks for weighing in.
Amen, Bill! So much better to ask what now? then to wonder why something has happened. God always gives us challenges to overcome with His help.
Blessings!
Thanks martha. I do believe that trying to ask the “Why?” question can often become an effort in futility.
There are no easy trials, sometimes really bad things happen to really good people. To ask God, what can I learn from this, how can I grow, how will this shape me for my kingdom life in eternity, these are not easy questions to hear the answers to during any trial. However, we need to focus on God loves me so much, He watches over every detail of my life, He must have something really important to teach me, cause He never enjoys watching me suffer for no reason. Draw closer to God, and let Him know, Father I am going to really lean on You, put all my faith in You, and try to the best of my ability to focus on the lesson and not let the circumstances block me from hearing Your voice.
You are right Gail. There are no easy trials. But taking your approach will help in “raising the bar” so to speak in learning vs moaning. May we all focus on the lessons in front of us.
One thing I know, life would be really boring if it weren’t for “why me?” moments. In fact, I think I have a “why me?” moment at least once every month. Although the question still kinds of lingers after that.
“The question still lingers after that.” That’s why “Why me?” is not the question to ask. It often goes unsatisfied.
Oh, wow!I had no idea that the 40 in WD-40 stood for the 40th attempt! That is so inspiring!
I thought so as well Cheryl. Goes to show one should never give up.