“Why?”

It’s one of the first questions we learn to ask—and maybe the one we never stop asking. I was around a small toddler a few years back, and no matter what was happening, their little voice kept repeating the same question: “Why?” Every instruction, every action, was met with wonder and protest. “Don’t do that.” “Why?” “It’s time to clean up.” “Why?”

After a while, I found myself struggling to answer every single time and was quickly becoming frustrated. That’s when I felt God whisper, “My child, that’s you.” It stopped me in my tracks.

This is what the LORD says— the Holy One of Israel and your Creator: "Do you question what I do for my children? Do you give me orders about the work of my hands? I am the one who made the earth and created people to live on it. With my hands I stretched out the heavens. All the stars are at my command..." (Isaiah 45:11-12 NLT).

Have you ever found yourself in the middle of a difficult season asking, “God, why?” I know I have—many times. I’ve convinced myself that I know what’s best, what will work, and what path I should take. I’ve told myself I’m following God’s will, all while trying to take control of the wheel myself.

In college, I was in a relationship I knew deep down God didn’t want me in. But as always, I thought I knew better. I fought God on it, convincing myself that it must be His will. Thank God He didn’t leave me to my own understanding. I won’t go into the details, but He delivered me out of that relationship before it was too late. For months afterward, I still asked, “God, why? Why would You take this away from me?”

Now, looking back, it’s so clear: His hand of protection and mercy was all over that decision. Had I stayed, I would have missed out on the life He had planned for me.

It’s easy to question what we don’t understand. When we can’t see the full picture, we often forget just how great and mighty our God truly is. But He is a good, good Father. And if that’s true—why would He ever harm us?

I love what it says just a few verses later in Isaiah 45:

Truly, O God of Israel, our Savior, you work in mysterious ways. (Isaiah 45:15) 

God sees you, friend. He knows you, and He knows what you are walking through. I want to encourage you to look back on your life and think about times you have faced that felt hopeless and left you asking, “Why?” Now I want you to remind your spirit how God brought you out of that circumstance and used it for His good. When we are in the midst of a trial, it’s so easy for us to begin to question God’s actions or even where He is. In those moments, remind yourself of the good deeds God has done in your life. 

There’s never been a day where God wasn’t good, and friend, there never will be. Walk in that truth today. 

Turn us again to yourself, O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies. Make your face shine down upon us. Only then will we be saved.  (Psalm 80:19) 

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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.