When Life Doesn't Make Sense

I hate the news – it is never good and tuning in often causes me to feel frustrated, fearful, angry and sometimes anxious. Today the news reported a little seven year old girl was shot after an altercation at a gas station between her family and another car. That story was then followed with a story of a missing teen’s body being found. With stories like these one must wonder what the world is coming to! Our hearts hurt for the families who experience such profound loss. News among our own families and close friends can also be equally disturbing; illness, job loss, divorce, crumbled friendships… all feel overwhelming. 

One word continually comes to mind as we contemplate the news of the day… why. Asking why however is a frustrating and futile exercise. While it is normal to ask why it is not healthy to expect the answer to an unanswerable question. When we ask why what we want is an explanation. I doubt the explanation would make sense to most of us this side of heaven. 
  
I’m learning to ask different questions that help me to grow because asking why keeps me stuck in frustration, anger, and anxiety.  Questions like:

God would you show me your goodness in the face of evil?

God what is it you want me to learn through this challenge?

Jesus you promise to always be with me please reveal yourself to me as I wrestle with this circumstance?

Would you send your Holy Spirit to strengthen me because I know I can’t walk this alone?

You see instead of asking why I ask relational questions. I look for the goodness of God, the love of Jesus, and the presence and strength of the Holy Spirit. I find my questions often turn to prayers and conversation between myself and the Lord. It no longer matters to me what the world is coming to because as I engage in my relationship with Jesus I experience peace in the craziness. I am reassured that no matter what happens in the world or in my life, not matter what news I get, he is in control of my life and he loves me. 

What do you do when the news you get overwhelms you? I want to challenge you not to ask for an explanation of the senseless … instead ask questions based in relationship… questions that lead to deeper intimacy and dependence upon the Father. Look for him and ask for a revelation of the promise of his presence in every moment of your life. 
 
Lie: Asking why will help me understand the unthinkable. Truth: There is peace in His presence. Peace that passes all understanding. 

Committed to #trashingtheliesthatkeepmestuck.