Why Me Lord? Why Me?
Why Me Lord? Why Me?
By David Jolly
Chances are, you may be one of millions of people who have asked the rhetorical question, ‘why me Lord?’ about something that has happened in your life. If you haven’t, then you most likely know someone else who has asked the question.
In most instances, it’s more of an accusation against God rather than seeking an answer.
I knew a family who lost everything they owned in a house fire. They not only lost their clothes and other possessions, but they lost all family photos and family heirlooms. They said that clothes and possessions could be replaced and were replaced by their insurance company, but the photos and heirlooms were irreplaceable.
The mom blamed God for the loss of those items as she repeatedly asked ‘why us Lord? Why us?’ She didn’t want an answer, rather she accused God of allowing the house fire and she was bitter towards God because of it.
When my daughters were in high school, my oldest daughter became friends with a girl her age that lived across the street. A couple of years later, the family moved away, but my daughter and Angie kept in contact. We learned that Angie’s parents divorced and that Angie claimed that her life was terrible and unbearable and that she blamed God. She asked why God allowed her parents to divorce and why did He allow her life to become a living hell. She was angry and blamed God for her situation. She walked away from the church and said she hated God. A few years later, Angie tried to kill herself, saying that her life wasn’t worth living because of what God did to her and her family.
These people fail to understand that we all live in a sin-cursed world where bad things happen, but those bad things happen because of man, not God. It’s how we respond to those bad things that makes the difference.
Instead of asking or accusing God with ‘why me Lord?’ we should ask how should we respond to these bad things.
For example, my oldest daughter has a rare non-hereditary genetic mutation that results in a condition known as McCune Albright Syndrome (MAS). It results in loss of vision (she is now legally blind), tumors, fibrous dysplasia and a number of other health problems. As for tumors, she has been fighting a pituitary tumor that has caused her pituitary gland to secrete excess amounts of growth hormones. These hormones caused her to grow an inch and half in height in her mid-30s. it has also caused her to put on a lot of weight. After radiation treatment the tumor is now sporadically secreting growth hormones, which makes it impossible for her to lose the weight, no matter how much she diets and exercises.
Several years ago, she told me that she knows why God allowed this to happen to her. Its because it gives her more opportunity to witness to others about Jesus. I can’t tell you how many people have told her mom and me, how sweet of a spirit our daughter has. They commend her for not asking ‘why me Lord?’ and to use what happened for His glory. She makes a parent proud, especially a Christian parent.
Growing up, our family verse was 1 Corinthians 10:31 which states:
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Our oldest daughter continues to live that verse, even with all she is dealing with.
Instead of asking or blaming God for your circumstances, ask yourself how you should react to what has happened to you in a way that honors God and brings Him the glory. Learn to be grateful instead of bitter and turn your situation into a witnessing opportunity.