Have you ever been frustrated with God? When things go wrong, or when life gets too heavy to handle, I think it’s human nature to ask God for answers. But how many of us are bold enough to question God?
Questioning God
When things go wrong, or when life gets too heavy to handle, I think it’s human nature to ask God for answers. But how many of us are bold enough to question God?
God, why did this happen to me?
God, why are you letting them go through this?
There are times that we may have questions about our faith or about our circumstances, but we’re afraid to ask. Why do you think that is?
Maybe when we were young we were told not to ask certain questions, or make certain observations about the Bible or our faith. There are some faith communities where questions aren’t permitted because “It’s not our place to ask why.” I’ve found that this usually means there’s a fear that the questions will be a threat to the powers in charge—but that’s a different issue.
Questions are a natural part of life, and the Bible is filled with people asking and even demanding answers from God. And amazingly, God doesn’t seem to mind.
Habakkuk Questions God
The prophet Habakkuk demanded God answer his questions about the oncoming destruction of Israel in his day:
I will climb up to my watchtower and stand at my guardpost. There I will wait to see what the Lord says and how he will answer my complaint (2:1 NLT).
Do you hear the audacity in Habakkuk’s statement? I’m just going to stand here until you answer me God. What do you feel when you imagine yourself talking to God with such boldness?
Habakkuk’s boldness paid off, because God answered his question, explaining in detail the oncoming destruction of Habakkuk’s homeland because his people had blatantly disrespected God (see Habakkuk 2).
Questions in the Psalms
If that isn’t enough evidence for you, there’s no shortage of questions in the Psalms, and no shortage of anger at God either.
My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief (Psalm 22:1-2 NLT).
This one is so powerful that Jesus even cried out the first sentence while hanging from the cross. Every Jewish person present who heard him would have known exactly what he was saying and where it came from.
Speaking of Jesus, the Disciples certainly didn’t mind asking him questions, to the point that on occasion Jesus replied “are you being willfully stupid?” He was probably being sarcastic, but his Disciples still asked for clarity about Jesus’ teaching when they needed it.
More of Who He Is
Asking questions is how we grow. It’s when we think we have all the answers that we’re in trouble. I don’t think God gets angry when we ask the hard questions, because it gives him an opportunity to show us more of who He is.
If you ask the question, just be ready for the answer.
What questions have you been holding back?
