One of the big things I struggle with every time I’m going through trials is the question, ‘Why?’
I’m sure I’m not alone in this, for it is innately human to want to understand things, and somehow, it makes what we’re going through easier when we understand the ‘why’ piece.
Take for example the recent changes that came about in the rehab hospital where I work. These were announced well in advance, and right from the first introduction of the upcoming changes, the ‘why’ piece was explained. As I sat back later and contemplated what the hospital wanted to do, I realized it was going to be a huge undertaking that would likely not settle into place for many months. That would mean major stress for everyone employed by the hospital, to say nothing of the stress on our patients. But I recognized the reasoning behind the changes, I realized that in the end, the advantages would be far-reaching, and when the dust finally settles, both patients and staff will greatly benefit. With this basic understanding in place, I volunteered to be on the planning committee (after all, if you can’t fight change, you might as well help lead it!), and as we have moved through the initial transition, I have tried to be a positive voice in the midst of the stress.
Yes, knowing ‘why’ definitely helps us through.
Unfortunately, when it comes to the trials that we face, we usually aren’t privy to the ‘why’ piece. I’ve often thought, with the onset of each new trial, that if only I knew why, it would be so much easier to accomplish.
God has taught me two vitally important lessons about knowing ‘why’, and I would like to share these with you.
So many times I’ve sat down in my prayer closet in the face of one major trial or another and said, “Why, God?” Now I will admit that it is difficult to hear God’s voice in these situations, because the reality of our circumstances is so big in our minds that we can’t seem to focus on anything else. In fact, it’s pretty easy in these situations to think God has abandoned us. Yet when we really put our hearts to listening, we find that He is, indeed, there.
One day, as I again cried out, “God, if I only knew why this was happening, it would be so much easier to navigate”, I heard His voice loud and clear: “Do you really need to know ‘why’? Don’t you trust Me enough to know that I know why, and I see and direct the ‘big picture’? Isn’t that enough?”
Herein lies the first lesson we can learn from asking the ‘why’ question: It IS enough that God knows why. He is directing everything that happens to us, He has it all under control, and we can trust Him to know ‘why’.
The next time you are faced with circumstances and trials that are way beyond you; the next time you are tempted to ask ‘why’, remember that you when God knows ‘why’, we truly don’t need to know!
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Prov 3:5-6)
Won’t it be fun to get to Heaven and see the picture from God’s perspective?
There is yet another secret to understanding the ‘why’ question. Join us next time for “Understanding the ‘Why’, Part 2”.
In His love,
Lyn
Lynona Gordon Chaffart, Speech-Language Pathologist, mother of two, Author — “Aboard God’s Train — A Journey With God Through the Valley of Cancer”, Author and Moderator for The Nugget, a tri-weekly internet newsletter, and Scriptural Nuggets, a website devoted to Christian devotionals and inspirational poems, with Answers2Prayer Ministries. Follow Lyn on Twitter @lynchaffart.
(To access the entire “Understanding the Why” mini-series, please click here.)