Of the Five “Ws” I learned in Journalism, there’s one “W” I ask more than any other.
It’s not “what.” Although as a mother, I’ve asked my share of “What in the world were you thinking?”
It’s not “where.” I have also asked many times, “Where did you get that stain? You just put on the shirt!”
It’s not “when.” Even though I’ve been known to ask my teenagers many times, “When will you be home?” To which they answer: IDK.
It’s not “how.” But my children have heard this word a thousand times, like when I say, “How did this dent get in the wall?” “How did this drink get spilled on the floor?” “How did this scratch get on the car?”
To which they all answer: IDK.
Again.
The “W” I’m sure I ask more than any other is “Why?”
Some days I feel obsessed with knowing answers to they whys of life. But I’ve learned there are seldom satisfactory answers to “why?” when the question is hard. All that happens when I focus on my unanswered “why” questions is I get frustrated, or mad, or I want to exact some form of vengeance, even though I’d never in a million years act it out. My heart gets in an ugly place … a place where I’m sinning against God.
In my Encouragement for Today devotion running today, I shared how God brought Proverbs 3:5-6 to mind when I was wondering why the plane I was on took a sudden bump. This verse says: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
I didn’t know why the plane made a weird jump, but God did. He was telling me to trust Him when I didn’t understand why something had happened. What peace that gave me.
Rather than focus on what I don’t understand … why something happened or why someone did something wrong … I have to trust in God. God is faithful. I may not the the truth about why something happened, but I can know God’s truth.
Today I promised to share some Scriptures about God’s faithfulness. This is such a short list, but the Bible is full of stories of God’s faithfulness, and verses about His character. Here are a few:
God restores
Joel 2:25, “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm—my great army that I sent among you.”
God doesn’t lie
Numbers 23:19, “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”
God’s Word has power
Isaiah 55:10-11, “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”
He sees our tears and will defend us
Psalm 56:7-9, “Don’t let them get away with their wickedness; in your anger, O God, bring them down.You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book.My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side!”
I hope these reminders of God’s faithfulness have brought you some peace. In a world filled with things we will never know, God has revealed Himself to us. We can know His character. And we can trust His character.
Thanks so much for joining me today. And if you have a favorite Scripture about God’s faithfulness that I didn’t mention, I’d love to hear it. Please post it as a comment so we can all be encouraged.
In His love,
Glynnis
Glynnis, somewhere along the way in all my days of raising kids and reading all of the how-to books in the church library there was a nugget that my poor brain grasped onto: Don’t ask why. The reasoning was that it was subjective and many times -or most times a child could not verbalize their reasoning and that in the end it didn’t matter for them or you to know “why” since we could not change what had happened. It was more important for them to acknowledge the “what” they had done and address it and problem solve how it could be avoided in the future. Of course, I didn’t read about it until the first two were old enough I wasn’t asking them to own up to what they had done, but It worked pretty well for #3- he was ADD and oftentimes didn’t realize “what” until he was called on it. My passage:
Habbakuk 3:17-18 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
I can trust Him.
Thank you sooo much for writing & being obedient to our LORD…. One of my favorites scriptures is Proverbs 3:5-6. (The first one I learned) so it will always hold that special place in my heart….the great thing about today is, I was going to pass over your devotionals ( I get so many on Mondays) but & with no coincidence they were just what I needed to hear ….. So Praise to Our LORD!!!!!
When I have longings of the heart for something to happen and I have a timetable set for what and when and how and God seems to be taking His time in giving it to me, and asks me to wait….
But I trust in you O Lord; I say, “You are my God,” My times (note the plural) are in your hand: …. How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you. Ps 31:14-15a 19.
Lamentations 3:24
“Deep in my heart I say, the LORD is all I need; I can depend on Him.”
How wonderful to have this peace. Just to know there is Someone I can truly depend on when all else seems to fail. My best friend. Thanks to all the staff at Proverbs 31.
I too always want to know why, and sometimes worry that if i dont get the answers to those questions i wont be able to move forward, but God can get me there. My favorite verse is Isaiah 43:19. “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
Some things are unfamiliar because they are new, and so we dont have the answers. Another thing I have learned is to “Trust God and leave all of the details to Him.”
The God who created our lives can handle the details! The last thought is that when we are in the middle of a problem, we dont know the ending, and have no idea what miracles and blessings will occur to get us to that happy ending, just like a book with trouble and turmoil in the middle of the story.
Thank you Maria..Trust God when it is the hardest to trust Him. I know how faithful He is, but in times of stress, hardship, and trials the “Whys” can still come. I love that we can leave all the details with God..even when we don’t see how things can possibly work out, He has it all figured out.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[a] have been called according to his purpose.” — Romans 8:28 (NIV)
Thank you, Glynnis, for another wonderfully encouraging post. I have found myself resting on the verse above so many times in the past year. When circumstances around me are not “good,” I trust in God’s promise that He is working ALL things — including the bad situation I might be standing in at the moment — for good. Praise His name!
2 Timothy 2:13
If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.
Thank you for your “Encouragement for Today” newsletter that you provide through Biblegateway.com. It’s awesome. Can’t wait to read more.
Really needed the encouragement God gave through you today <3 Thank you. One of my go-to scriptures (committed to memory and in a dog-eared 3×5) is Exodus 34:6 the LORD's own words to Moses: And He passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, "The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious GOD, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin." Glory to GOD!
I read the other day that this would be a good time to cultivate a new habit. The writer asked if we could say, “Jesus, I trust You” in any situation that we are facing. We may be hurt, we may not understand but we can affirm that God is in control and that He has a plan for us that is “far beyond all that we can ask or imagine”. Just saying that we trust Him lessens the feelings of hurt and fear, even before we see our circumstances change.
I remember a time when our two sons were small. My husband took us out in a small boat for a ride. The water was a bit choppy and my younger son became scared. As he clung to me, I whispered to him, “Everything’s okay. Daddy knows what he’s doing. You can trust him. We’re going to have a great time.” The water was still rough, but my son’s grip relaxed. Knowing that his father was in control and better times were ahead was all he needed to hear.
My life has its share of choppy waters. But if I remember that my Father is in control, that I can trust Him and better times are ahead, my fears are often replaced with hope.
Thank you for sharing this timely devotion! God bless you!
thank you so much.
This is so reassuring to know and something I”ve leaned on many times the last few months after finding out my husband had cheated on me and abandoned myself and our marriage. I finally realized that my questions of “WHY did he do that?” “WHY didn’t I do more?” “WHY didn’t he want to try to make it work?” and on and on have no answers…at least no answers that matter right now. I have taken great comfort in knowing that even though I can make no sense out of it, there is a reason. God has a plan for me. THANK YOU for this reminder.
When my dad was dying and in many more times more recently, God continues to remind me of Philippians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
I just returned from my brother’s funeral. He died an untimely death due to being hit by a car while crossing the street (in the crosswalk). It was a shock and I prayed for insight as to why He allowed this accident to happen. The Lord made me realize that He alone knows our times. It is up to me to accept and rejoice that my brother is with Jesus and not in pain. Psalms 31:14 shared above by Laurel B.,hit me and gave me comfort. “You are my God. My times are in Your hands.” Thank you for giving me peace and acceptance of my loss of my older brother.
Today this was exactly what I needed to read….This has helped me and I have passed it to my daughter as well. Thank you for your insight, your devotion to spread God’s Word and your desire to help other’s in good times and bad. You are an Angel in my book.
Ephesians 6:16 “…take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” So many times the Lord has brought this to my mind as I start my negative mind speak. It snaps me right out of it. Faith in God will always override the negative and the evil. Thanks, Glynnis.
First, many thanks for your God given thoughts through your heart to mine. One of my most precious verses from God is Isaiah 41:10. The One who created Heaven and earth tells us “do not worry”. What greater power would I want to hear that from?! Then He assures us He is with us and He will strengthen us plus He will uphold us with His Righteous right Hand. Seems that every time I read this verse or that it comes to my heart it brings assurance, Peace and warmth to my whole being. PRAISE GOD FOR THIS AND ALL HIS GIFTS INCLUDING THE TALENTS HE HAS GIVEN YOU TO SHARE WITH MANY!
)
83 year young man, and don’t you forget it.
My verse for this year: Isaiah 26:3-4
God will keep you in perfect peace when you keep your mind on Him. You can trust in the Lord forever because He is your Rock.
Also Jeremiah 32: “Ah, Sovereign Lord, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for You. You show love to thousands…O great and powerful God, whose name is the Lord Almighty, great are Your purposes and mighty are Your deeds…You performed miraculous signs and wonders in Egypt and have continued them to this day.”
This is what the Lord says, “Restrain your voice from weeping and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,”declares the Lord. “They will return from the land of the enemy. Jeremiah 31:16
Thank you for your reminders of God’s faithfulness and love for us. My mom is dying from cancer and I have been deep in despair. However, your scripture references have encouraged my heart!
Thank you so much I needed this tonight as I can not sleep because the “why” is bothering me so bad.
Jeremiah 29:11
“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.”
Sometimes faith has to be shaken, stirred, sifted and sorted so that what is needed is brought to the surface. Faith must never lay dormant to stagnate and rot. Faith like love must always, in all ways be in perpetual, continual and eternal motion. That’s my understanding.
Rae
God doesn’t want humanity to function as mindless blobs of flesh. He brings understanding if they are looking for it. He wants his people to utilize the intelligence’s he provides for them who Ask, Seek, and Knock. The answers come on a need to know basis, that’s why everything comes to us as perfect timing.
Rae
Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; He is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love Him and keep His commandments. Deuteronomy 7:9
Thanks so much for todays encouragement! I am glad for the conformation that we don’t need to know “why” when God does something in our life. This January 18, 2013 will be a year’s anniversary of my daughters demise. I have fallen in love with God because HE ordained everything according to HIS will and I don’t need to know “why”? I need to praise HIM and allow HIS glory to be revealed in me.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Thank you Glynnis for reminding us that we all ask the “W” question at times. I asked God why my hubbie never got a certain job when he was perfectly suited and it would have gone a long way to helping us get out of debt too and I would have been able to go into full time ministry (which has been my desire for so long), but His answer was, Proverbs 3:5-6.
One of my favourite trust and encouragement verses is Lamentations 3:22-23, “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning, great is His faithfulness!”
Blessings
Leonie
Deuteronomy 31:6 Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
This is a verse from which I find inspiration during trials.
Matt 11:28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
(NIV)
John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give unto you, not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
This verse has been relied upon through doubts of my salvation, physical frailties, and an uncertain future. Every time I think I have it under control, God reminds me that He is in control ,and He knows best for me.
I am so grateful for this blog. I have needed to get on the internet for encouragement other than through social networks. I look forward to what you have to say and the replies which give an extra boost.