SubscribeWhy me? Why not me
I am rejoicing today in the goodness of a gracious God. A family situation last week momentarily had me asking the question “why me?” But I didn’t let the inquiry linger too long in the ether. I have come to recognize that such a question is a good jumping off point from the diving board of frustration into a deep pool of despair.
It has the potential to give rise to a swell of negative self-talk and doubt about God’s goodness and love for me and my family. It does not pay to entertain the why-me-woes for too long. I’ve been there before and have no intentions of swimming in those waters again.
In recent years, I have been training myself to respond as soon as that question pops into my mind with the declaration “why not me.” What better testimony could I have than one that says I believe and am living out the belief daily that whatever I go through in life, I am going through it with God in my corner. I am learning to trust Him for the outcome of every situation or obstacle I encounter. In times of distress, I encourage myself by repeating Psalm 46: 1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in times of trouble.”
When I focus on “why not me,” I allow God the opportunity to increase my understanding of His Word and to lead me to a place of total dependence on Him. “Trust God” became my breath prayer last week at the suggestion of a friend. We exchanged instant messages on our Blackberrys every time a prayer related to trusting God rose in our hearts. Those prayers centered my thoughts on God and gave me peace.
When I focus on “why not me,” I allow God’s timing to take precedence over my timing. He gives me what I need to persevere. Even before we reached the point where my family was last week, God had already gone ahead of us and strategically placed a college friend whom I had not seen decades back in my life. A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to attend The Institute for Christian Discipleship’s B.A.S.I.C.S Life Summit of which my friend Rev. Nawanna L. Miller is founding chairman and president.
The summit focused on “Experiencing Tough Times with Gladness: Embracing the Glory of God in Daily Life.” The teachings heard there became a reference point for me last week. I learned so much that will help me in years to come on my faith journey, especially when I come up against difficult times in my life. Also, Rev. Miller joined my husband and me on Thursday in Atlanta, offering us the ministry of presence and prayer as we dealt with one of our “why me” issues.
When I focus on “why not me,” I free myself to be used by God in the world in the way that He wants to use me. Why should I think I am above trouble, especially when there are so many people suffering far greater despair and tragedy than I am. “Why me?” is often a plea of despair and sometimes anger uttered in a moment when all seems lost. Underneath the anguish, however, also may lurk arrogance and self-centeredness. My goal is Christ-centered living that will glorify God and edify others. So even when I get stuck at “why me?,” with God’s guidance I’m learning to answer in the positive. Why me? Because faith teaches that the stuff I go through is not just for my own spiritual growth but so that I can help someone else grow in God’s grace.
How has God transformed your “why me?” moments?
“ Our troubles are small. They last only for a short time. But they are earning for us a glory that will last forever. It is greater than all our troubles. So we don’t spend all our time looking at what we can see. Instead, we look at what we can’t see. What can be seen lasts only a short time. But what can’t be seen will last forever. ”
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (New International Reader’s Version)
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