Have you ever said to yourself, “Why me? It just seems to be one thing after another after another…when is this going to end!?!”
It could be work issues, situations at home or with family, random, unrelated calamities, or all of the above. Then you pray, asking God when it will end, or why it’s all happening at once, or why it’s happening at all. Many times, the answers to those prayers don’t come quick enough and you begin to think there must be something you’ve done to bring it all on. If you’ve felt this way or said these things, you’re not alone. We can find encouragement during these times from James:
“Blessed is a man who perseveres under trail; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12; NASB)
We live in an evil world. Nowhere in the Bible does it say that because we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we will not have to endure the everyday aggravations of life. There are going to be times when things don’t go right, or even close to it. A Christian does not experience peace because God keeps unfortunate things from happening. It comes from our view of what’s happening. I’ve spoken to many people who love the Lord and wonder why God would allow them to go through certain hardships. It is not God who is making those specific hardships happen. Living in a fallen world that is full of sin and all that results from it can be extremely difficult. It’s our response to those hardships that makes the difference.
Sometimes things just go wrong. It’s those times that we need to pray for God’s strength and move on in faith that He is with us. God is all powerful, all knowing (omniscient), and He is everywhere (omnipresent). The things that happen in your life that cause stress, hardship, and grief, have not been caused by Him, but He has allowed them. It is up to each one of us to seek the Lord at those times to see what we’re to do with them. He teaches us through trials. He strengthens us when we’re in the fire to persevere until we’ve gotten what we need from each situation. We read in Job:
“Blessed is the one whom God corrects, so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.” (Job 5:17; NIV)
God will test us and allow trials in our lives to bring us closer to Him. One of the reasons for this is so He can bless us with His peace as we come near to Him in prayer. The daily trials of life do not have to get you down. Seek the Lord’s heart and trust that He will guide you and teach you in the midst of all that’s going on, whether it looks good or bad.
The answer to “Why Me?” is that it’s because He loves you and wants to bless you. It’s exciting to know that regardless of what happens in life, we are moving toward the promised “crown of life”, which is eternity with our Lord Jesus Christ.
Have a great week and God bless.