I’ve got questions!?! Has anyone else ever said that before? I know I say that all the time! I even ask questions when it comes to faith. These questions got me thinking: is it wrong to question God?
As a Christian, I truly believe in leaning on God to meet all of my needs. I know He is good, and I know he has a perfect plan for my life.
But sometimes, I just don’t get it. I don’t understand why something that I really wanted to happen fell through, or why bad things happen to good people. The loss and heartache that are everywhere can be suffocating.
So, if there’s so much out there that’s wrong with the world, it seems natural to me to have questions for God. Does God think it’s natural for us to question His plan? Let’s find out.
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What Does the Bible Say About Questioning God?
When I was diagnosed with cancer, one of my first thoughts was “How could God let this happen?” I was a teacher and a mom of 3 young kids. My husband and I were planning our 10-year anniversary trip. Then our whole world changed.
Even though I had TONS of questions, I felt kind of guilty asking God why. Was I even worthy of an answer? And would He even care? Was it wrong to question God?
Since I had so many unanswered questions, I started searching for answers. I looked up surgery rates and chemo types on the internet. Since my big, deep questions were for God, I started scouring the Bible to find what it says about questioning God.
One of the first verses I found was James 1:5, “If any of you lacks, wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”
Another verse I found was Isaiah 1:18, where God says, “Come now and let us reason together.” Okay, so God doesn’t mind our questions. Shew, that was a relief!
Who Questioned God in the Bible?
After finding a few verses about questioning God, I wanted to learn more about it. I looked and there are several times when Bible characters questioned God. Let’s take a look at a few of those.
Moses was one of the first people in the Bible to question God. In Numbers 11 he asked why God was treating him so badly. He also told God that if He was going to, “treat me so badly, just go ahead and kill me.” (verse 15)
Jeremiah questioned God’s faithfulness. He also told God that he wasn’t useful to him. In chapter 15 he is bold enough to say, “You have become for me as unreliable as a spring gone dry!” (verse 18). Wow!
David spent a lot of time questioning God. He questioned why God wasn’t helping him in his times of need. In Psalm 22:1 David asks, “Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?” David was so down and out he felt that God was very far away. He felt that God didn’t even listen to him.
Did Jesus Question God?
Yes! Even Jesus questioned God. Imagine that! The all-knowing and all-powerful son of God questioned God too. While hanging on the cross, Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:45)
Jesus knew what had to happen, and He knew that God couldn’t look at Him with all that sin. But He still cried out for answers.
Before the crucifixion, Jesus asked more questions. He spent several hours praying about what He had to bear. In chapter 26, He asks God to “take this cup” (verse 39) away from Him.
Knowing that Jesus questioned God, I know that it’s okay for me too.
Reasons People Question God
Now we know that it’s not wrong to question God. He even expects it. What are the reasons people question God? Let’s look at a few of these reasons people have questions.
People Question God When Bad Things Happen
A common reason people question God is when bad things happen to them. When I had cancer, I questioned God all the time. Lord, why did you let me get sick? What did I do to deserve this?
Our world is a fallen world. It’s been invaded by sin. So, bad things happen everywhere. Wars, earthquakes, drug addiction epidemics, pandemics, and other horrible disasters can make people question God too.
Even as a believer, it makes sense. With all the sadness in the world, I understand why people wonder about these things. Why would God allow bad things to happen to good people?
That’s a loaded question, and I have no idea what the answer is to it. But I do know what the Bible says about the sad things of this world. Romans 8:18 reminds us that this life is short and this world won’t last forever. “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more…” (Revelation 21:4) gives us another promise from God. Those that are His children will have their tears wiped away and their suffering erased forever!
People Question God When He’s Silent
There are times when I feel like I’m “in the zone” with my faith. My prayers seem productive, and I’m learning something new every time I read the Bible. I can almost feel God speaking to me. It’s an awesome feeling!
But sometimes, it’s not like that. When I pray, I don’t hear or feel anything from God. I keep reaching out, but all I get is nothing. The Bible reads like a bunch of words on a page. It’s very frustrating and I feel like screaming at the heavens. Is it wrong to question God when I can’t feel Him near? I don’t think it is.
Several of the most faithful Bible characters felt God’s silence. Isaiah asked God why He was silent. In Isaiah 64:12, he asks God, “Will You restrain Yourself at these things, O Lord?
Will You keep silent and afflict us beyond measure?” Isaiah wanted God to step in and save his people. But all he heard was silence.
Habakkuk felt the same way. Habakkuk 1:13 tells us that he asked, “Why are You silent when the wicked swallow up those more righteous than they?” Can’t you hear his frustration?
Even David questioned God’s silence. In Psalm 22 he says, “…I cry out by day, but you do not answer…” (verse 2). Even though he questioned God’s silence, David still praised God for who he was. He goes on in verse 3, “Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises.”
People Question God’s Decisions
Sometimes we question God’s decisions. We wonder why in the world God would allow something to happen. Or we might wonder why God would lead us down a certain path only to allow us to fail. It just doesn’t make sense to me.
Even as a faithful leader of Israel, Joshua questioned God’s decisions. In chapter 7 he asks, “…why did you ever bring this people across the Jordan to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites to destroy us?” He then tells God what He should have done instead. “If only we had been content to stay on the other side of the Jordan! (verse 7). That’s pretty bold of Joshua.
Asaph, who wrote many Psalms, also questioned God’s decisions. In Psalm 74:11 he says to God, “Why do you hold back your strong right hand? Unleash your powerful fist and destroy them.”
Asaph doesn’t understand why God won’t step in and save his people. He tells God what to do and how to do it. I would like to think that I’ve never done that to God. But actually, I have. Every time I give God a list of requests, I have in my mind exactly how God can do what I need Him. And I get frustrated when He doesn’t do it my way.
Even though we question God’s reasons or actions, we still need to remember who He is. We still need to praise Him for all good things. Asaph remembered to do this. After letting God know just what he thought, in verse 12 he says, “You, O God, are my king from ages past,
bringing salvation to the earth.”
We may not understand His ways. It’s not wrong to question God, but we should still be praising Him for all He does.
Questioning God to Grow Your Faith
We’ve decided that it’s not wrong to question God. That’s good for us, right? This fact has me thinking of the purpose of our questions to God can be. I mean he already knows what we’re going to ask. God allows us to ask questions in order to grow our faith.
As you can see from the previous examples each of these Bible characters grew in their faith after they questioned God. By having these exchanges, each of them formed a deeper connection with God. A stronger relationship with the Lord can only help to grow your faith!
So continue to bring your questions to God, and He will bless you for it. If you want to learn more check out our Resource Library Links. And don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts and freebies available!
Blessings,
