Is it okay to query God? Or is it an indication of weak religion? Or worse, a sin?
Rising up, I used to be taught that questioning God was mistaken. He’s God, and we aren’t. There was no room for questions. However as I obtained older, life obtained tougher, and all these questions I had been asking saved developing.
Is God actually good?
Is he really in management?
Does he really love me?
Why does he let this occur?
Is He even actual?
These questions made me really feel like I wasn’t an excellent Christian; that I used to be failing my religion. A real Christian wouldn’t wrestle with doubts and questions. I simply wanted to consider extra and query much less. However the extra I ignored them, the extra they grew.
The fact is that on this life, we’ll face difficulties. We may have exhausting seasons. Nobody is exempt. In these tough moments, questions on God naturally come up. Many Christians really feel responsible for asking them, believing doubt is the other of religion. However what if questioning God is definitely a possibility for non secular progress?
I’ve discovered that whereas these questions are widespread, they usually result in guilt. Many Christians really feel that questioning God reveals a scarcity of religion. However I feel this strain to disregard our questions is definitely stifling our progress.
On this put up, we’ll discover whether or not it’s okay to query God and the way we should always strategy our doubts in a means that strengthens our religion somewhat than weakens it. Let’s dive in!
Questioning God In The Bible
I wish to begin by characters within the Bible who questioned God. I feel it will give us an excellent baseline to know how God feels about it.
The Bible is full of people that query God. And what’s unbelievable is the Bible doesn’t cover their questions, however somewhat highlights them.
Right here’s a couple of:
- In Ecclesiastes Solomon frequently asks tough questions on life and God.
- Habakkuk begins off his ebook by crying out to God asking when God will lastly hear him (Habakkuk 1:2).
- Gideon questions God’s reply in Judges 6-8.
- Abraham and Sarah query God’s capacity to supply a number of instances all through their years.
- We see numerous examples within the Psalms the place the Psalmists are struggling to know what God is doing.
- In John 20:24-29 Thomas questions Jesus’ resurrected physique.
- The disciples, particularly Peter, frequently query Jesus.
- In Revelation 6:10 we see those that had been slain questioning God about when he’ll avenge them.
These are just some examples, however I feel the purpose is obvious. Questioning God is a part of the human expertise.
Once we face trials and tribulations it’s regular to ask questions as we battle to know what’s taking place. We discover these examples all all through the Bible.
Is It Okay To Query God?
We’ve seen that individuals within the Bible query God usually. The Bible highlights these questions, somewhat than hiding them. However nonetheless that doesn’t actually reply our query, is it okay to query God? Is it a sin to query God?
To query God is just not mistaken in and of itself. What issues is how we do it. Bringing out questions and considerations to God is just not mistaken, however somewhat it’s wholesome. However we nonetheless should accomplish that in a means that’s respectful.
There’s a distinction between questioning God and accusing him. We will query God in a means that also holds that he sees what we don’t. Once we query God we should always accomplish that in a means that’s respectful and honoring.
However the Bible appears to be clear. Not solely can we query God, we should always. We’re finite beings making an attempt to know an infinite God. We’re going to battle, and questions can assist.
God doesn’t get indignant with our questions. He invitations them. It’s usually via our questioning that we come to a deeper understanding of who God is.
God doesn’t need blind allegiance. He needs a relationship. And that signifies that typically we’re going to battle. In these struggles questions will come up. That’s regular and good. That’s what leads us to a more in-depth relationship with our creator.
How To Query God
I wish to finish by query God in a wholesome means. Listed below are some sensible issues we will do once we discover ourselves in a season of questioning God.
1. Don’t Cover Your Questions
Once we bury our questions and faux they don’t exist it may well hinder our relationship with God. However once we carry them into the open we will develop in our religion and expertise closeness with him.
Air out your questions. Recurrently share them with God. He needs your coronary heart, no matter is on it. So give it to him.
I feel the Psalms are the right place to show for this. David frequently asks God questions on no matter he’s scuffling with. It’s a fantastic mannequin for us to comply with.
Right here’s what David says in Psalm 5: “Hearken to my phrases, Lord, think about my lament. Hear my cry for assist, my King and my God, for to you I pray. Within the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; within the morning I lay my requests earlier than you and wait expectantly.” Psalm 5:1-3
God invitations your questions. You don’t want to cover them or faux you don’t have them. Once we cover our questions we’re hiding a part of ourselves from God. We’re conserving our religion from rising. Don’t cover, carry your inquiries to God.
2. Don’t Be Ashamed Of Your Questions
I usually see Christians beat themselves down as a result of they’re questioning God. They assume they need to simply have all of it collectively. Their religion is weak. That they need to simply belief God.
We’re finite beings making an attempt to know an infinite God. After all we’re going to battle to know. We don’t should be ashamed of our questions. It’s usually via our questioning that our religion and belief in God is constructed. As a substitute remind your self that it’s via your questions that your religion is constructed.
3. Acknowledge That Your Questions Can Produce One thing Of Worth
Questioning God can really construct one thing of worth in our life. It may strengthen your religion.
Questions present that you’re participating with and eager about vital issues. Once we ignore the questions, we’re lacking an vital time to show to God and develop.
The instances I’ve grown essentially the most in my life and religion are once I’ve requested exhausting questions. Uncomfortable questions. It’s not at all times simple, however the consequence has at all times been value it.
Once you query God it may well produce one thing of worth in your life. It may develop your religion.
4. There’s A Distinction Between Asking And Accusing
Once we query God we should always accomplish that with the appropriate coronary heart.
Consider the story of Jonah. Jonah was struggling to know what God was doing and located himself questioning God. However he did so with an accusing coronary heart; he thought he knew what was finest and failed to point out any humility.
Even with this perspective, God nonetheless used him and provided him grace and forgiveness. However due to his perspective Jonah needed to study the exhausting means.
Right here’s the purpose. God is aware of issues we don’t. He sees issues we can not. He has the ability to do issues we’re incapable of. Once we strategy God with our questions we should always come humbly understanding that we would not have all of the solutions, however he does.
Now, similar to Jonah once we do are available somewhat too sizzling and accuse God with out humility, he’ll nonetheless forgive us. However we’ll make it tougher on ourselves.
5. Don’t Cease Asking Questions
Lastly, don’t cease asking questions. On this life we’ll by no means have all of it found out. There’ll at all times be one thing that causes us to query God. And it’s vital that we by no means cease bringing our inquiries to God.
There shall be instances once we are tempted to cover our questions. Struggle that urge. Ask your questions. Once we do that we’ll discover a loving God who will use these questions as a possibility to develop our religion.
Closing Ideas On Questioning God
Is it okay to query God? Sure. We will and we should always. It’s via these questions that our religion will develop and we’ll come to a deeper understanding of who God is.
I’d additionally encourage you to share with these round you instances that you just’ve questioned God. There’s nonetheless a stigma round questioning God that leaves many feeling like they’re alone, one thing is mistaken with them, and their religion is weak.
You don’t want to cover your doubts or questions or be ashamed. God isn’t ashamed of you in these seasons, and he can use them to do unbelievable issues. In our questions God will give us what we want.
BA in Biblical Research – Ozark Christian School (2012)
MA in Theology – Regent College (2019)
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