Six Scriptural Answers to the Question “Why?”

In one short chapter in Elisabeth Elliot’s book, “Keep a Quiet Heart,” she cites six Scripture passages that answer the question “WHY?” I want to share those verses here with you, as well as some encouragement I gleaned from each passage.

As Elisabeth Elliot says, “There is mystery, but it is not all mystery. Here are clear reasons.”

{{Just a note: This is my affiliate link to the book on Amazon. It is quite a jewel, packed with so much wisdom, grace, and help. ♥}}

1. Our Sufferings Test Us

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.” 1 Peter 4:12-13

In our trials, God calls us to entrust ourselves to Him. We often don’t understand why trials come upon us or why they have to feel so very difficult, but they test us, refine us, and purify us.

As our trials change us, we learn to live for the will of God rather than for our own flesh (1 Peter 4:1-2). In the midst of trials, and even because of them, He tunes our hearts to rejoice in Him. Our joy in the midst of difficulty is a foreshadowing of the joy that will be ours when His glory is finally and fully revealed.

2. Our Sufferings Mature Us

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.” Romans 5:3-4

God wants to make us more like His Son, and He grows us up in our Savior through suffering. When our faith is tested, the result is increased endurance and steadfastness.

The endurance you gain through your trials will work character in your spiritual life, and that character produces a hope that will never put you to shame.

3. God’s Power Is Made Perfect in our Weakness

“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

Paul pleaded with God to remove his thorn in the flesh. God would not removed the thorn, but He did give Paul an answer:

“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”

God is pleased for His power to shine through jars of clay, to show that “the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). And so, we have opportunity to follow Paul’s example to find contentment in Christ in the midst of weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities, for when we are weak, Christ’s power is put on full display.

4. Our Love for God through Suffering is a Testimony to the World

“But I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father…” John 14:31

When we submit to God’s ways and will in our lives, our faith in Him is a bold witness to the world. We imitate Jesus in declaring our love for the Father through our trust and obedience to God’s plan for our lives.

When we love and trust the hand that brings us through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, we proclaim the Gospel. Our trusting Him through suffering is a witness to our love for the God who suffered in our place and whose hand was pierced through for our transgressions.

5.Our Suffering Ensures Our Future Glory

“…provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.” Romans 8:17

As fellow heirs with Christ, we join Him in suffering. But just as His suffering was not the end of the story, neither is ours.

Following Christ through suffering and trials serves to prove our kinship to Him. Just as He suffered, it has also been granted to us to suffer (Philippians 1:29). As He is “the firstborn among many brothers,” we can confidently follow our Savior into suffering, assured that we also will follow Him into eternal glory.

6. We Suffer for the Sake of the Gospel

“Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.” Colossians 1:24

As Elisabeth Elliot says, “There is mystery…” I don’t understand very much about why God seems to use suffering in what feels like such liberal doses — especially among His own children.

But it is not all mystery. Somehow, in God’s wisdom and predetermined plan, Paul’s painful afflictions advanced the message of the Gospel. And your sufferings and my sufferings also serve to grow and build and advance God’s kingdom through His church.

We fix our eyes on Jesus in our pain, remembering that a servant is not above her Master (Matthew 10:24). Jesus suffered, and we follow in His steps.

Trust Him. Trust the One who answers your “WHY,” and stay very, very close to the foot of the cross. Linger there. The deeper and more difficult the struggle, the longer we must linger.

With love .. amanda

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