The littlest boy in our family is now 3 years old! He seems wise beyond his age in many ways. But as a three-year-old, he has reached the “Why” stage and Mommy and Daddy are being challenged. He asked his momma—How does the grass grow? He asked his Daddy—What is on the semi-truck? Good question for Daddy! He wondered the same since the cargo load was hidden under a large tarp! They played a guessing game of what might be under the tarp as they traveled on the road along with the truck.
This time of intense curiosity shows a developing brain and a desire to try to make sense of his world. He can now speak in sentences and his questions seem to coincide with learning to speak in sentences. The why’s show that he is exploring and learning about his environment and is trying to understand the cause-and-effect relationships around him, understand his surroundings and how things work. These questions will help him grasp the relationship between actions and their consequences. Asking “why” helps him build a bigger vocabulary and practice using his new language to seek information.
For Mom and Dad, the questions can seem endless as the little one wants the reason for nearly everything, like “Why is the sky blue?”, “Why do we eat?”, “Why do we need to sleep?”, even “Why is the dog barking?” “Why do we get sick?” Sometimes the child asks why for everything even after they were given an explanation. Such as—We are going to the store. Why?? Because we need milk. Why? Because we ran out. Why?? Because you drank it all! Why? Because you love milk! Why?….. You get the idea. Sometimes Mom and Dad find it hard to deal with all the questions and not grind their teeth after the 12th Why.
I must confess that I have been accused of acting like a 3-year-old! I have a bad habit that I need to change. I ask too many questions about “why” and it gets frustrating to the receiver. I must remember that often it isn’t something I need to know. For a fact, I can ruin a good conversation by asking too many questions. But my next question, can I ask too many questions to God? Does He get tired of me asking Why? I can remember my mother frequently telling many stories about me always saying,” Why Daddy?” Perhaps I need to ask God to forgive me for asking too many questions of Him.
Life presents us with many questions we want answers to. Some are questions for God as only He has the answers. But we must wait for the answers until we see Him face to face! Why are there natural disasters? Why is it soooo hot? Why are we having floods this year when it was too dry last year? Why didn’t my bones in my knees and hip not last “forever?” The bones in wild creatures seem to do better than mine! Why do snowflakes form in points of 3’s and 6’s but stars seem to look like they have 5 points? Why do I want to save so much “stuff?” Why are digital instructions so hard to understand when digital is supposed to make my life easier? Why do so many beautiful places have to have private property signs in front of them so that they aren’t accessible to be visited? I’m pretty grumpy about this when I can’t get close! Why is my husband always looking for his tape measure, his clamps, a wrench, his paper cutter? Why can’t I find my comb? Why are there so many things on my computer that I must not need, since I never use them?
A recent study found that the beauty we see in a peacock’s tail did not seem to make an impact on peahens/females on who they chose to mate with. They mated with “poor quality” males as much as those with bright flashy feathers. Mr. Darwin said bright colorful plumage was always believed to play a huge part in selecting a mate—especially with the peacock. This study threw everything scientists thought they knew out the window. The actual observations of science contradicted what was predicted, But then we naturally would have a question! What would be the purpose of a peacock’s tail? Perhaps it is there for man and His Creator to enjoy. The tail is breathtakingly beautiful. The Bible says God deliberately put beauty in this world. When we see beauty, we should be reminded of the beauty maker—God Himself.
There are many reasons for asking WHY? When faced with difficult circumstances where someone seems to be suffering, it’s natural to ask “Why?” However, instead of dwelling on the immediate pain, we can focus on understanding God’s purpose in trials.James 1:3-4 reminds us that the testing of our faith develops perseverance and then produces endurance, leading to spiritual maturity and completeness. Bible verses show that God uses trials to reveal our faith, refine us like a furnace, and help us bear more spiritual fruit. Even prophet Habakkuk questioned why God allowed evil to persist. Habakkuk’s three questions: Does God care? ( Habakkuk 1:1-11) Is God fair? ( Habakkuk 1:12 – 2:20) Is God there? ( Habakkuk 3:1-19)
We can hopefully find comfort in knowing that God is working all things for the good of those who love Him, even if the “why” isn’t immediately clear to me or Habakkuk.
Instead of solely focusing on the “why” of suffering, we can actively seek God’s purpose for our lives. Genesis 2:15 shows that God has a purpose for us, even in the beginning, such as caring for creation. We can find our “why” in loving God and loving others.
Ultimately, we can trust that God’s plan is always better than our own.
When we pursue things for selfish desires, we are more likely to be disappointed.
When we have a “kingdom why” behind our actions, our hearts are more likely to remain pure and focused on God. We can find comfort in knowing that God is with us, even in uncertainty. Psalm 34:1-3 reminds me to praise God in all circumstances, even when I don’t understand why things are happening. It is natural and biblical to ask “why.” Our Bible Friends such as Moses, David, Job, the disciples, and Jesus Himself asked God questions about pain, injustice, and abandonment. Such honest inquiries can lead me to a deeper understanding and to rely on God, rather than lessen my faith.
It is the intention behind the “why” that matters. A “why” that comes from doubt and hostility towards God’s character differs from humble questioning that seeks to under- stand His will. When “why” turns into a challenge to God’s goodness or sovereignty, there is a risk for many of us of slipping into unbelief and distrust that He has our best interest in His heart.
I need to shift from “why” to “how” instead of remaining in despair. Instead, “How might God use this situation for His glory?” or “How can I grow closer to Him through this trial?” Asking these questions invites God’s perspective and allows Him to reveal His purposes for me. A good suggestion might be making a list of “how” questions to guide you through struggles. God’s ways are not the same as mine as a mere human, and His thoughts are higher by far than mine. He does not promise to explain every circumstance, but He does promise to be present, and to work all things together for good, and to bring about His perfect will. Trusting God amid the unknown is a mark of my faith, even when it is not understandable from my human perspective. It is okay to bring questions to God the next time the question “why” arises. Then, seek and pray for His wisdom and ask how He might be using the circumstances to shape my character, strengthen faith, and bring Him glory. Trust is refined, dependence on God deepens, and His presence is experienced in powerful and unexpected ways during seasons of unanswered questions.
If you think about it, Bible people asked Why, even Jesus! We can always learn from the Bible and our Bible Friends—who frequently questioned God, and the outcomes illustrate the complexities of faith, doubt, and divine interaction. The stories help us understand how God responds to honest questions, even those from hardship and confusion.
Abraham questioned God’s judgment and righteousness regarding the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and pleaded with God to spare the cities with the presence of righteous people. Abraham’s intercession revealed his deep care for others, even for those who didn’t follow God. Although the cities were destroyed, God rescued Lot and his daughters, showing mercy and faithfulness to Abraham’s prayers,
Moses questioned God multiple times, especially his ability to lead the Israelites and God’s plan with all the challenges Moses could think of. God responded to Moses’ doubts with reassurance, empowerment, and guidance. When Moses questioned God’s decision to destroy the Israelites, God relented and chose mercy,
Job endured immense suffering and repeatedly questioned God’s justice and reasons for his hardship. God responded to Job by highlighting the vastness of creation and Job’s limited understanding, prompting Job to humble himself and acknowledge God’s sovereignty. Job’s experience shows that faith doesn’t demand all the answers, but it trusts in God’s wisdom, even with unexplainable circumstances.
David questioned God frequently, particularly when facing sorrow, seeking under- standing, or needing guidance. David’s songs and prayers reveal his raw and honest questioning but ultimately lead him to renewed trust in God’s faithfulness and love. God consistently guided David, protected him, and brought him through the various challenges.
Habakkuk questioned God’s tolerance of injustice and violence in the world, lamenting about the suffering of the righteous. God responded by revealing a plan to use the Babylonians as part of judgment, reminding him of sovereignty and ultimate justice, even in situations that appear contradictory to our understanding.
Thomas doubted the resurrection of Jesus and requested to see Jesus’ wounds before believing. Jesus appeared to Thomas, allowed him to see and touch His wounds, and gently encouraged him to believe. Thomas’s doubt led to his deeper faith. One verse says that “these were more noble than those in Thessalonica for they searched the scriptures to see if these were so.” Just as Thomas was unsure, the Bereans wanted to be sure what they were hearing was true. They wanted to make sure they were correct.
Even Jesus asked God, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” while suffering on the cross. This question, from Psalm 22, shows us the profound spiritual and emotional agony Jesus experienced as He bore the sins of the world and experienced separation from the Father. This moment highlights the depth of God’s love, and the sacrifice Jesus made for our/my redemption.
These stories show me that questioning God is not from being sinful, but part of our human experience and journey of faith. It can lead me to a deeper understanding of God’s character, a stronger reliance on His wisdom, and a closer relationship with Him.
By choosing to shift from “why” to “how,” we can have a more resilient and faith-filled approach to life’s challenges. This allows us to move beyond questioning and embrace God’s purpose, even during the unknown. I read a story of Jim.
Jim had been battling a motor neuron disease. The neurons in his muscles were breaking down, and his muscles were wasting away. He’d lost his fine-motor skills and was losing his ability to control his limbs. He could no longer button his shirt or tie his shoes, and using chopsticks was impossible. Jim struggled with his situation and asked, why is God allowing this to happen? Why me?
He and many others have brought their questions to God. In Psalm 13, David cried out, “How long Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?”
We too can take our confusion and questions to God. He understands when we cry out “How long?” and “Why?” His ultimate answer is given to us in Jesus and His triumph over sin and death. As we look at the cross and the empty tomb, we gain confidence to trust in God’s “unfailing love” and rejoice in His salvation. Even in the darkest nights, we can “sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to [us]”. Through my faith in Christ, He’s forgiven my sins, adopted me as His child, and is accomplishing a for “forever” good purpose in my life.
When we face a difficult, painful situation, our first response is often—God, why? We want specific answers about why He allowed it and how we can fix it. Deep down, we may even feel our suffering is unfair. That’s me! But instead of dwelling on my immediate problems, I need to step back and consider the bigger picture.
Why does God test my faith? The Bible gives several answers to this question. In Abraham’s life, we can see how God’s testing reveals the faithfulness of our faith (Genesis 22:15–18). Job and Isaiah describe trials as a refining furnace, removing impurities from our lives (Job 23:10; Isaiah 48:10–11). And Jesus said that God prunes areas of our lives to help us bear even more spiritual fruit (John 15:2).
We can trust that our pain always has a purpose. Without trials, how would we ever develop endurance? How would our faith grow to maturity? Difficulties teach us to rely on God’s sufficiency and to glorify Him in the process. As Peter writes, “So that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).
Trials not only refine our faith but also validate our salvation. The world is watching how we navigate hardships. When others see us enduring the same challenges they face but with a steadfast trust in God, our testimony points them to Christ. That’s why, every trial, no matter its origin, should glorify Him. My response to difficulty has the power to impact others for eternity. I need to keep this always in my mind.
God never wastes pain. If He allows a suffering “why” into your life, He is working with it to refine your faith, draw you closer to Him, and deepen your dependence on His strength. It’s natural to ask God, why? But an even better question is, what? What is God seeking to accomplish in this trial? What fruit might grow from this season of testing? Be assured that your pain has a divine purpose. Trust that God is shaping you into someone who is mature, complete, and lacking in nothing—all for His glory. Is it okay to ask God why? Why did God test Abraham’s faith? Why does God test our faith?
Philip was The Honest Seeker.
Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. John 1:45. Philip was a thinker. He knew the Scriptures and longed for the Messiah. So, when Jesus called, Philip didn’t hesitate—he followed, but not blindly—though He kept searching, asking questions, and sharing what he had found with others.
Philip shows me that faith and logic are not enemies, God invites our honest questions, and He meets us there—not with shame, but revelation. Even when Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father,” Jesus patiently revealed the deeper truth: “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father.” If you ever wrestle with faith and understanding, take heart in Philips’s journey. Faithfulness isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about continuing to follow the one who is the answer.
Dear God, Thank You for welcoming my questions and my doubts. Help me be like Philip—curious, honest, and faithful. When I don’t understand, remind me to walk with You anyway. Reveal more of Yourself as I follow. Thank You for letting me know You more! Just me tonight, God!
God, thank you for letting me ask why!
And He always answers my WHYS!!!! When it is best for me!