Is it okay to ask God questions? I was brought up to believe that if you ask God questions, you’re doubting Him. But I don’t think that’s so.
Just look at Jesus Christ, who on the cross cried out, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” I was reading in Psalm 42:9 where David asked the same question. Habakkuk asks God why. And so do I sometimes.
Would it surprise you to know that someone as eminent as the Apostle Paul had his character questioned? Read 2 Corinthians 12 sometime. It’s a comforting thought, to me at least, that you don’t necessarily have to make any mistakes to be criticized. I tend to internalize things. If I were a better pastor, better planner, better organizer, better manager, better communicator, better whatever, this wouldn’t be happening to me. It’s just not true.
I love the freedom of being honest with God about my pain, my struggles, and my suffering. When the sudden burst of questions, fears, and imponderable situations overwhelms me, I can pour my heart out to Him–not for answers, because He normally doesn’t clue me in. But for the simple pleasure of knowing that He cares. “We do not have a high priest who is untouchable with the feelings of our weaknesses…”
Recommended Reading: The Gospel According to Jesus, by Chris Seay. I’m not an advocate of the emerging church movement, and I certainly have some challenges to some assertions in this book. But I nevertheless enjoyed the reminder of clearly articulating the Gospel to our generation.
