What? instead of Why?

Since my last post, I have not been able to get this picture out of my mind. Seeing it reminds me… this is not the first time my sister and I have encountered joy and sorrow, within the same moment.

Several years ago, my sister received a shocking diagnosis which resulted in multiple surgeries, extreme pain, and required a dynamic life change. My wedding day was AMAZING, truly everything I would have wanted it to be, but my day of rejoicing was also physically painful for my sister. Isn’t it weird how when we are hurting or experience loss, we forget that joy and sorrow have come in the same moment before? It was just that the last time, I was standing on the other side of the pain.

My sister is one of the most amazing women I know, and I am blessed beyond measure to have her as my sister, I am also challenged by the way she has walked through her own personal journey. One thing I have noticed is that over time she stopped asking the Lord “why” and began to ask “what.” What was/is the Lord saying, doing, leading, etc? This transition may seem insignificant, but in practice it has and I believe will change everything.

~ Asking “Why” ~

• Often has no answer or an answer which does not remove the sting of pain.
• Often leads to feeling sorry for ourselves or to play the role of a victim.
• Often means our focus is more inward than outward, making it difficult to fully see and appreciate the entire picture.

~ Asking “What” ~

• Offers an openness to hear, as opposed to a position of demanding justification.
• Offers hope and a possibility for the future.
• Opens our eyes and our hearts to see outside ourselves & our current situation, making it possible for joy to enter our sorrow.

Recently, I was reading through a Bible study entitled “Believing God.” An illustration was given which I love. The author describes how she often goes hunting with her husband (crazy I know, but follow me for the sake of the story). I imagine she is not an experienced hunter, so when she cannot see the prey, her husband will stand behind her with one hand on one of her shoulders and with the other arm in front of her, he will point toward the prey. Then he will say, “Elizabeth, follow my arm all the way to the tip of my finger and you will see what I see.” The author references this story in relation to how God sees what we cannot, and how there is always a bigger picture in view, if you can just see further down the line.

Is that not a beautiful picture? Can you imagine God standing behind us right now, with one hand on our shoulder, and one finger pointed forward, gently whispering in our ear, “follow my arm all the way to the point of My finger and you will see… a promise, a hope for the future. Sometimes, I forget there is something further down the line than the moment I am currently standing in. Sometimes, I forget He is weaving a tapestry together for my sanctification and for His ultimate glory. And in the midst of this, I am wondering if it might help to ask “what” God is saying, doing, and leading me to, instead of “why” He has allowed this to happen.

Today’s Focus:

1. Ask “What” instead of “Why.”

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

2. Spend time with the Lord, and listen for what He may be saying.
“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for He is with me; His rod and His staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:1-4

3. Trust there is hope and a future beyond this moment.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11