April 15, 2025 by G. S. Gerry
Let’s be real—when life knocks the wind out of you, your first reaction isn’t some profound spiritual
insight. It’s a raw, gut-punch of a question: “Why is this happening to me?”
Maybe it’s betrayal from someone you trusted. Maybe your family is struggling. Maybe your health is falling apart or your plans are shattering into a thousand tiny pieces.
Whatever it is, our human instinct kicks in:
“Why me, God? What did I do to deserve this? Why now?”
But here’s the hard truth—that’s the wrong question.
The Lie of the “Perfect Life”
Somewhere along the way, we bought into the idea that life should be smooth, easy, and fair. That if
we’re faithful, if we’re good, if we check all the boxes, God will shield us from suffering.
But that’s not what Jesus said. In fact, He promised the opposite:
“In this world you will have trouble…” — John 16:33
Not might. Not maybe. Will.
We’ve built a fragile theology that treats pain like a glitch in the system instead of a guarantee.
The truth? This world is broken. People will hurt you. Your body may fail you. Plans will fall apart.
And faith in Jesus doesn’t give you a golden ticket out of suffering—it gives you a Savior
who meets you in it.
So when trouble comes, we shouldn’t be surprised—we should be ready.
And not just ready to endure it. Ready to grow from it.
The Power of the Right Question
Instead of asking, “Why is this happening to me?”, start asking:
“What is God trying to teach me in this?”
That one shift changes the whole game.
It moves you from victim to vessel. From self-pity to spiritual formation. From endless frustration
to a mindset rooted in faith.
Because here’s the thing—God doesn’t waste pain.
We do.
When we spiral into self-focus. When we shake our fists at heaven and demand answers. When we fixate
on the “why” and miss the “what now?”
But when we stop and ask the better question—“What are You doing in me, God?”—we create
space for transformation.
Your pain can be the very place where God’s purpose starts to grow.
A Teachable Heart Changes Everything
Here’s what I’ve learned (usually the hard way): A teachable heart is one of the most powerful things
you can bring to your relationship with Jesus.
Because life will give you lessons. Some of them painful. Some of them humbling. And some of them so
confusing you’ll feel like you’re in a story someone else wrote.
But when your heart says, “God, even here—even in this—I’m open to what You’re doing,”
everything changes.
You stop chasing comfort and start pursuing Christ.
You stop asking for escape and start asking for endurance.
And somewhere along the way, you realize: the storm didn’t break you. It built you.
You Won’t Always Get the Answer—and That’s Okay
This side of heaven, you won’t get every “why.”
Why did they leave? Why did you lose that job? Why didn’t the healing come? Why did the relationship
fall apart? Why did that prayer go unanswered?
I wish I could hand you a tidy theological bow and say, “Here’s exactly what God was doing.”
But I can’t.
Sometimes we won’t know.
And in those moments, Isaiah 55:8–9 becomes the lifeline:
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the
Lord.“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my
thoughts than your thoughts.”
This verse isn’t meant to frustrate you—it’s meant to free you.
You don’t need to figure everything out. You just need to follow the One who already has.
What Happens When You Flip the Script
Let’s play this out.
- Instead of “Why did this person betray me?” you ask, “What is God revealing about trust,
boundaries, or grace?” - Instead of “Why am I still struggling financially?” you ask, “What is God showing me about
dependence and provision?” - Instead of “Why am I sick?” you ask, “How is God inviting me to rely on Him in weakness and
find strength in surrender?”
See the shift?
It’s not denial. It’s discipleship.
You’re still honest. You’re still hurting. But now you’re turning your pain into a platform where God
can work.
That kind of faith doesn’t make sense to the world. But it makes all the difference in the fire.
You’re Not Alone in the Chaos
One of the biggest lies pain whispers is, “You’re alone in this.”
But that’s a lie straight from the pit.
You are not alone.
Not in the disappointment. Not in the diagnosis. Not in the betrayal or the breakdown or the stretch
of silence where it feels like heaven went quiet.
Jesus is with you.
And not just watching—He’s working.
Scripture is filled with reminders that God is near to the brokenhearted. That He comforts us in our
suffering. That He refines us like gold through the fire.
So no matter what you’re going through—God is not distant. He is present. He is sovereign. And He is
using even this.
Final Thoughts: The Chaos Isn’t Wasted
Here’s the deal: Life will hurt sometimes. There will be losses you didn’t see coming, betrayals you
didn’t deserve, and battles you never asked to fight.
But none of it is wasted.
With a teachable heart and faith in Jesus, your greatest struggles can become your greatest stories.
And that’s not just good theology—it’s good news.
So the next time life sideswipes you and you want to scream “Why me?!”—pause.
Ask the better question.
And watch what God does with the answer.