God Has Not Forgotten You: When Life Is Turned Upside Downಮಾದರಿ

Asking the Hard Questions

When life got him down, Asaph, one of King David’s key men, cried out to God and asked Him some hard questions. He asked, “Will the Lord spurn forever, and never again be favorable? Has his steadfast love forever ceased? Are his promises at an end for all time? Has God forgotten to be gracious? Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” (Psalm 77:7-9). Asaph wasn’t the only man in the Bible to ask God hard questions.

In the book of Job, we find that in his suffering Job asked hard questions. After losing his family and everything he had, he argued his case before God. And even when God’s answers were not what he expected, he never lost faith.

Tragedy can challenge our faith and raise many questions. Questions like: Why is this happening? Where is God when it hurts? Why doesn’t He do something? Where is the protection He promised? God isn’t offended when we ask questions in our despair. He wants us to come to Him when we’re confused. However, like Job, we must learn to resist being critical of God, keeping in mind that He is the Supreme Ruler, the Most High, all-knowing, and in control of all things, including our lives (see Job 38:2)

So bring your heartfelt questions to God and ask Him to help you understand. But be prepared to accept His answers, even if they’re not what you expect to hear (see Job 38-41). And whatever you don’t understand, acknowledge His authority, knowing that the God who created the heavens and the Earth loves you beyond comprehension and can give you mercy and “grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).

Taking back your life

1. What are some of the hard questions you want to ask God about your current circumstances? Ask those questions in prayer. What has God revealed to you?
2. On a piece of paper, write down some of the questions you feel are still unanswered. Then after truly giving those unanswered questions over to God in prayer, tear the paper up and throw it away as a symbol of your trust in Him with all you don’t understand.
3. Sometimes in asking God the hard questions, like Job, we can become critical of His dealings with us. In Job 38-41, God made it clear why a creature (man) should never become a critic of the Creator. Through a series of questions, God showed Job his (man’s) ignorance as compared with God’s greatness. This opened Job’s eyes to God’s ultimate authority, and he repented of his pride and rebellion. If you have criticized God’s dealings with you and your resulting circumstances, ask Him to forgive you. Then acknowledge that He is in full control of your life and everything He allows you to experience. Thank Him for loving you, for providing all you need during this difficult season, and for accomplishing His purposes in you through it all.