I was listening to a message the other day and the pastor said, It is wise to understand.” Oddly enough I heard it as, “It is whys to understand.” meaning to question everything before understanding. I had no idea why my brain interpreted wise to whys until I thought about it. People many times ask why before understanding instead of being wise and just understanding on faith. Let’s explore this a bit further.
I am a gratitude coach and I hear many people question things in their life. Why did I get a divorce, why don’t my children believe in God, or sometimes it’s why am I so anxious. All of these whys are indications of not being in faith. Let me explain. When we question things that are happening in our lives we are telling God we don’t trust in Him. We are saying I need to figure this out on my own instead of turning to God. Questioning equals disbelief. Now I know that sounds harsh but it true. When we stand in our faith we begin to omit the whys and start saying, “I understand this is a season I must walk through and stand in faith and trust God. He is WISE!””
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
We must stop asking ourselves why something is happening or why it has happened and know that God is wise and has a purpose. I have had many things in my life that in past days I asked why. Why was my first husband addicted to alcohol and drugs, why was I so poor as a single mom that I could barely feed my daughter or pay my bills, why did a man verbally and publicly attack me in front of 65 people, and the list goes on. Now as my parents have moved through and still are presently moving through bouts of cancer I know now I am WISE in God’s plan and not living in the whys. I am not questioning but I am trusting. The situations aren’t any easier, my obedience and patience has become clearer.
Acts 1:7 He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.
I am not here to say it is easy not asking why, but I am here to say it is possible with obedience and faith. I think back to when I asked why these situations happened to me in the past (my first husband, poverty, humiliation) all I received was anxiety and confusion. That is until I trusted God. I had to walk through the season of a bad marriage to be wise to know God had a new husband waiting for me. A godly and grace filled man. I had to publicly be humiliated to see the wisdom God was showing me. He was teaching me to love my enemies and find good in everyone, I see the WISE now, not the why’s.
Psalm 37:7-9 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil. For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
As you move through the rest of this year, no matter what life throws at you remember God has a plan. He is WISE and we do not need to ask why but instead breathe and say, “I know God is at work and I will be better moving through this season.” Become WISE yourself. All my love and gratitude-LoLo
2 Thessalonians 1:4-5 Therefore, among God’s churches we boast about your perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring. All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.
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