Why?

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

There are six interrogative words commonly used in discourse between people: who, what, when, where, why, and how. Of these six, one is used more frequently than the others in times of personal anguish: why. It is human nature to want to know why things happen the way they do. And for Christians, why means, “Why did God allow it?”

The disciples of Jesus surely asked “Why?” questions more than once in their relationship with Jesus. But at no time did they wonder why more seriously than when their lives were in peril on the Sea of Galilee. A huge storm had come up while they and Jesus were crossing the water. While they feared for their lives, Jesus napped calmly in the back of the boat. They wondered, Why doesn’t Jesus do something? When Jesus finally calmed the storm, He had a “Why?” question for them: why did they let their faith be overcome by fear (Mark 4:40)?

If you’ve been asking God “Why?” questions lately and receiving no answers, stay focused by faith on Jesus. He will still the storm at the right time.

It’s okay to ask God why. It’s even better to wait for the answer in faith instead of fear.