Why?

During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered (Hebrews 5:7-8 NIV)

I can relate! The most common question of God is why. Why do we have cancer? Why do we have orphans? Why do we have stress? Why? Why? Why? 

I can't even pretend to know the answer to the suffering of this world. The "pat" answer is to blame it on the sin of this world. Yep, I get it. So much of the worlds problems are caused directly by sin. But my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ overcame sin. So for those who have dedicated their lives to him, you would think, wouldn't suffer. But, they do. These verses give us a hint, not a complete understanding, of why. 

Jesus suffered. He is the Son of the most high and he was like me in that he prayed with cries and wailing. He suffered and through that suffering he learned obedience. Even Jesus suffered to learn obedience of our Heavenly Father.

 We are to learn obedience through our suffering.

I know it doesn't make complete sense to me, but if it's good enough for the son of God, it's good enough for me. When we are broken, broken so far down that we have to relinquish all to God, only then are we open to his commands. We are called to obedience not because of what we get. It's not a reward system we don't earn points by doing wonderful things. When things are going great, I obey God because I tie the blessings to my good works. But God wants us to be obedient even in times of pain and suffering. He wants us to pray fervent prayers, petition, shout, and scream for his help. But, mostly he wants us to get to the end of our rope and say," i don't care, even though the raging storm, I will obey you. I will be obedient even unto death"

Dear Lord, I know you hear our cries in the storms of life. I know you love us with an unshackled heart. Give comfort to those struggling. Lift their hearts with the knowledge you have not abandoned them. I fervently cry out to you for them. Hear them oh Lord!  Releave their aching hearts. In their doubt give them confidence in your path. Bless them in every possible way, right now.work your miracle of peace in their sleep and while they are awake! We love you Lord Jesus and know you will strengthen us. We know you are sovereign over our lives. Praise you for ever and ever Amen!

God knows why and I'm okay with that!

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1 NIV)

A group of men is playing a game of poker in a restaurant back room. As one man looks at his cards, he knows he has an unbeatable hand and will be a rich man when he lays down those cards and wins the huge pot in the center of the table. Unknown to that man, however, a fighter pilot in training has just ejected from his plane, and the plane is hurtling toward that restaurant. The man will not even get to play the hand. (Copied from 21 day extract of the Once-A-Day Devotional for Men for everyday inspiration, Zondervan Publisher)

We have this wonderful illusion we are in control of everything around us. Nonbelievers and believers act the same. We make plans, we schedule, and we fill our lives with stuff. But, we are guided by the one who created it all. Yes, he has given us free will. He let's us dig our own graves. He let's us cause our own stress, but the master plan is his alone. It's been that way from the beginning and it will be that way until the end. 

This summer I laid the best vacation plans of all time. I spent countless hours this winter, baracaded inside my house, preparing this wonderful trip. We left on a beautiful summer day filled with great expectation. God had different plans, the trip lasted about 36 hours. Stephanie fractured her elbow. The vacation never happened. God knows why and I'm ok with that! I don't need to know because I knew when I turned my life over to him, he didn't owe me explanations. He didn't have to reveal his plans to me. All I had to do was trust him and I do! Like most Christians I have asked God "Why?" But the older I get, the more I have seen how his plan truly leads to better things. I'm less likely, now, to ask why. He knows and that's good enough for me.

Praise God for his wonderful plan for my life. I renew my trust in him and turn all my plans over to him. He is the creator of the universe, he knows best, and I will not question or doubt his love for me. I will not question my path, but enjoy every moment that I get to be apart of his marvelous plan.

Why?

And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:7 NIV)

I have a dear friend whose daughter is going through a lot of suffering right now. It seems like every time they turn around another life-trial greets them. It always leads to that age old question: why is there suffering in the world? Christians are not immune to it and seem to suffer life's calamities equally with non Christians. So why? Only God can answer in each case. I read these comments from a Billy Graham devotional:

“You do not need to study the Scriptures long to learn why sinners meet reverses and anguish. They are apart from God. Their sorrow is the result of their sins. But—why do Christians suffer? Scripture teaches that many Christians suffer so that they may fellowship with others who are in affliction. Only those who have known sorrow and suffering can have fellowship with those in affliction. The Word of God also teaches that Christians suffer in order that they might glorify God in their lives.The Bible further teaches that Christians suffer in order that God might teach them lessons in prayer. Also, Christians suffer in order that God might bring them to repentance."

I thought that was a great list of reasons. I also know that God never let's us suffer alone. He sends his angels and he himself will stay by our side during tough times. I know that to be true. All we have to do is turn to him. He will comfort us and he will bring us through better than before. Praise God for his love and comfort!