Not “Why?” but “What?”

By Carol Graves April 13, 2016 Devotion, Inspirational, Life, Scripture

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

Let’s face it. We have an enemy who is very busy. He attacks in many different ways. He does not rest. Throughout the Scriptures we read accounts of Satan’s schemes to bring us down. When we are faced with challenges, all too often we ask the question, “Why?” And just as often that question is followed by a simple two letter word – “me.” “Why me?” we ask. And in doing so, the enemy has accomplished his first and most effective blow. He has caused us to focus inward. He has directed our attention to our circumstance and more often than not, our inability to deal with the difficulty. This can lead to a downward spiral that can end in depression, bitterness and despair – right where the enemy wants us.

Because I have experienced this in my own life, I can write about it with authority. That pit of despair, filled with questions, doubts and fears is a lonely place to be. Too often I was unable or unwilling to share my pain, so I “lived with it.” It wasn’t a good companion. My mind was always occupied with that question.

“Why?”

Over and over the declaration, “I don’t understand!” Thoughts turned to tears. Fears resulted in despair. Hope seemed lost. Only recently has the burden been lifted to such an extent that I am amazed.

It was an ordinary day, not unlike the others when I was plagued with questions. In His unique way, God had recently exposed me to two new thoughts.

Yield. Believe.

These thoughts filled my mind with new possibilities.

Hope. Joy. Peace.

I had reached a crossroads and had to choose which path I would take. One led to a sad, confusing place. That was not a place where I wanted to dwell. That was not a place where God would take me. That place of accusation, guilt and fear is where the enemy would take me.

God used these new thoughts to put a new question in my mind. “What?” What is it that God wants to teach me? What work is God doing in this situation? This new question led me down a different path. Though I cannot see it, or understand it, I know, because of His character, that God is working out things for good. Perhaps that good is for me, or perhaps it is not about me at all. Whatever it might be, I must trust God. I must yield the situation to God. This “yielding” is not a one-time event, for the enemy is relentless in his efforts to bring me back into the pit.

Now when I sense the doubts arising, it becomes exciting to ask, “What, Lord? What are you teaching me?” I am filled with hope, security and peace. I experience the stretching of my faith as I watch to see how God is working in this situation. I know that in time, His work will become clear and I will see His plan and purpose. And I believe – I know – because it is God at work, I will experience victory. That is the place God wants to take me.

So, I have made a choice. I choose to praise God. I choose to focus on His goodness, His faithfulness, His unfailing love. I choose to praise God. He is victorious. He defeats the enemy. I choose to claim His victory. Today I am filled with anticipation…with hope. Today I choose to ask not “Why?” but “What?” And I wait – expectantly.

“Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you. Rescue me from my enemies, LORD; I run to you to hide me. Teach me to do your will, for you are my God. May your gracious Spirit lead me forward on a firm footing.” Psalm 143:8-10 (NLT)