Is It Ok to Question God?
Share
We know faith is the most important thing when it comes to a strong, healthy, and loving relationship with the Lord. But sometimes we have questions: Why does a loving God “allow” bad things to happen? Why does God sometimes feel so far away? And even, does God truly care about me?
Jesus—that is, God become flesh and born as a man (John 1:14)—seemed fond of questions, mostly as a mechanism to help people think through deep philosophies and understand how they truly feel about a topic, what their fears might be, what their prejudices are or, perhaps, the root of their own logical reasoning.
For example, in Luke 10:25-26, an expert asks Jesus what we must do to have eternal life. Jesus provided His answer by leading the man to analyze within himself, to explore what he already knows in the truth that is God’s Word. “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” Jesus asks right back, indicating the answer is already given.
Looking at God’s reaction to the questions asked of Him throughout Scripture, we see time and again His response is that of a patient, firm, but loving parent as He calmly answers. Just as a child today might ask her mother or father why the sky is blue or why she must take a nap, and her earthly parent firmly but lovingly replies, God, too, answers with grace and mercy. He knows our weakness as humans, the finite capacity of our minds—after all, God created us. God knows we do not understand all things because we cannot.
Also, it helps to know God can handle our questions—all of them. As the Creator of the universe, and the all-knowing, He’s the only true source of answers.
Asking God questions does not mean we are weak. In fact, it signifies a strong relationship—and trust. When we trust God, we know He’s not some abusive, terrifying parent who will beat us into submission for opening our mouths. Rather, He loves and is patient with us. He has mercy and compassion, and He understands our innate desire to know and to understand. God made us. As Psalm 139:13-14 praises of God, “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Going to God when we have questions is a good thing.
Jesus, though God, was fully a man when He paid the price of our sins and died on the cross so that we may have eternal life with Him. In one perspective, Jesus knew God’s plan and purpose for Him because God had told Him and because of His divine oneness with the Father. And yet in Matthew 27:46, Jesus asks, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
God knew Jesus’s heart when Jesus asked this—God knew Jesus wasn’t asking with a rebellious or unfaithful spirit, that Jesus wasn’t taunting God or attacking God’s character. That would have been sin, and Jesus knew no sin (2 Corinthians 5:21).
When Jesus did this, it not only showed his humanity but also showed us we, too, are allowed to approach the throne of the Lord in real relationship and pour out our hearts and fears—and questions—to God.
In James 1:5-6, the apostle urges, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”
And in Hebrews 4:16, we’re told, “Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Ask God. Approach God.
He loves us, and He wants to be in relationship with us. He can answer our questions and calm our fears now and forever.
More from this author
What Is God's "Secret Plan"?
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Nora Carol Photography
