Daily Prayers for Grieving Hearts: A 21-Day Plan for Comfort on the Road to RecoveryNäide

WHY LORD?

I am able to do all things through Him who strengthens me. PHILIPPIANS 4:13

When anything bad happens, oftentimes, the first question that comes to mind is, “Why?” Sometimes, in God’s grace, He reveals the answer, which we may or may not like, but there is at least some solace from the understanding we gain. What’s really hard, though, is when He doesn’t provide an answer, and our thoughts are left to burn immeasurable energy trying to figure the answer out on our own. Then, sometimes, a tragedy is so immense we don’t want any answer— there isn’t one that would be remotely acceptable. But there is a catch-22 in asking why: When we demand to know the reasons behind what God allows, we are not abiding in a place of trust, and He wants us to trust Him with abandon. Jesus didn’t feel like dying on a cross, but He trusted His Father so completely that He could endure and receive the strength He needed to fulfill God’s plan. And as we fully trust in Him, we can have that same courage through Him, who gives us strength.

Father, I confess I want to know why You have allowed the circumstances in my life, both in the past and now. I want to make sense of what seems senseless and wrong. Help me to stop asking why and focus my mind and the condition of my heart when it comes to trusting You. I want to trust You in all things, not just some of them. Help me to remember and trust that You are for me, You are good, and You are in control.

AMEN.