Have you ever asked the question why? Why am I sick? Why did I lose my job? Why did this happen; I am not ready? If we are all honest at some point in our life, we have asked the question… “why?”. 

There was a season in my life I asked this question almost daily. I was dealing with a health issue that would not get better no matter what I tried.  After almost a year of casts, walking boots, physical therapy, and injections, I ended up having to have surgery. I did not have time for this.  I did not need to be out of work.  I was too busy to slow down. You see I was having to plan for my three children’s weddings. I was working full time at the hospital, teaching children’s church, leading praise and worship, teaching class at the gym, and the list goes on. Does this sound familiar to anyone?  I began asking God, why is my foot not getting better? Why have these treatments not worked?  With the biggest question, why do I have to go through surgery and a long recovery? It was not until I was in the recovery period that I learned the answer to my “why?” questions.

God began to teach me the understanding of the scripture from Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” For those that know me know “Being Still” is not in my nature.  It unfortunately took me going through this to “Be still”. 

During my recovery, I had more time to stop and enjoy the beautiful things around me. I had time to appreciate the sunrise and sunsets. I had time to really study and grow my relationship with the Lord. I learned to stop asking “why” and start asking “why not”. There were a lot of people that came into my life that I would have never met had it not been for this “why?” moment in my life. There were relationships that grew and a new perception on life I learned. I also understood what Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:9 learned from God, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness; therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest on me.”

Are you asking “why?” to things you are facing? Have your questions caused you to be discouraged, anxious, or even depressed? If so, I would encourage you to see if there is a lesson to be learned. Is God really trying to protect you from something you don’t realize? Is He trying to make you see life differently? Is He wanting you to learn His grace is sufficient for you? Take heart just as I struggled and had to learn the hard way. You are never alone, even in your darkest hours. God is always with you, if you will just learn to “Be still and know that He is God”. 

Until next time, know that you are loved, you are important, and you are not alone.