Why, God?

“Why God do people have to die? A daughter or a son, sudden and so young long before their time… I don’t understand but I understand why God I need you. It’s why God I run to your arms, over and over again. It’s why God I cling to your love and hold on for dear life. And I find you are right by my side even here in the why God.” ~ Austin French

Why God? We ask this question a lot, whether it’s regarding death, job circumstances, family, or just life in general. We don’t understand why certain things happen. It doesn’t make sense why these things happen. We may never know the answer and that can be so frustrating, especially for those of us who like to be in control. However, while we may not understand why, it does make us understand why we need God.

If it weren’t for my faith I know I would not have been able to get through certain struggles in life. There are two times in particular within my life where my faith really was the solid rock I stood on and when I asked the question, “why God?,” I knew that while I may not get the answer to that question, it was growing my faith because I needed to rely on him for the strength to get through.

The first time this was really tested is when I found out I needed to have a super rare, high risk surgery and I needed to travel across America to have it done. Now two years after the surgery I’m still living with chronic, 24/7 pain. I still ask the why God question sometimes. Why God am I still in pain? Why God did this happen to me? Why God are there some days that I have pain so bad it literally hurts to breathe? I don’t have the answer for this besides the fact it’s part of my story and I know God is using it to reach someone. What I do know though is the fact that I’ve grown in my faith the most these last two years. I’ve had to rely on God and His strength. I’ve had some days where I just listen to worship music and rest in His love. His strength is what gets me through.

The second time is the last couple weeks. I lost my best friend in a fatal car crash two weeks ago and it hurts more than anything I’ve ever gone through. She was my adventure buddy, my accountability partner, the one I could talk to about anything, and most of all she was always so bubbly and shone God’s light so bright. I’ve asked why God more times than I can count these last two weeks. Why God would someone so young be taken away so suddenly? Why God would you take her when she reached so many people for the Kingdom with her love and light? Why God did it have to be my best friend? I don’t understand but I absolutely understand why I need Him. I’ve run to His arms so many times, I feel myself wrapped in His love and presence, I know that it’s only by his strength that I’m slowly getting through this. I’m leaning on Romans 15:13 that says “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” I’m leaning on this promise that because of the hope we have in Jesus, I will see her again and we’ll have the greatest adventure of all.

I don’t understand but I understand why I need Him. I understand why we need his love and grace. I understand why His strength is what gets us through the valleys of life. I understand why we need to cling to his love. We may not understand but I pray that you understand why you need God. I pray you have the same hope that I find in Him through Romans 15:13. Press in and press on, never losing the hope you have in Christ because we need Him.

*If you have any questions about this hope I have in Christ or if you need prayer, feel free to reach out, I’d love to talk to you.