There is no doubt the most annoying question we can ever get from our kids is “but why?” after sharing why something happens, even though this is a legit question. We ask God the same thing all the time: “but why?” “Why does my family have to suffer?” “But why did they have to die?” “But why did I lose my job?” We ask God these “why” questions almost without fail only because we are coming from a place of cluelessness, mystery, and confusion. Please know, there is nothing wrong with asking “but why?” But there is a way to approach it all, with the right perspective.

I understand that the concept of “perspective” has become a cliche within the church within the decade. But allow us to examine a passage from the book of Job chapter 23 verses 8 thru 12. Mind you, Job is an Old Testament book that is written like a manuscript of a trial. In this portion of scripture, Job comes from two different points of view. But as a refresher about Job; Job was a wealthy man who out of fear always performed a sacrificial offering on behalf of his children whenever they threw a party in any case that they may have sinned. In two days, the Lord allowed destruction to come upon his land. He lost ALL of his livestock, animals, children and property. The next day, illness struck his body, and boils began to grow on him.

In the passage mentioned above, the first have of the passage, we see that Job feels all alone and forgotten by God because God has gone silent and has disappeared. Yet, mind you, in the beginning chapters, the Lord sought Job as righteous and as a man of integrity. So the question is “why?” Why is all of this happening to Job? Well in the first two chapters, satan appears before the Lord. God presents Job before satan asking him, “have you considered my servant Job?” And made a bet with satan that Job would not turn around and curse Him. God allowed satan to take away everything but Job’s life. See, God made a bet knowing the outcome already.

In the second half of the passage, Job’s perspective of everything changes:

“But He knows the way that I take;

When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

My foot has held fast to His steps;

I have kept His way and not turned aside.

I have not departed from the commandment of His lips;

I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.”

Job 23:10-12

See the change in perception? At first, Job wonders where God is at in all of this. But then we read the change in perception with Job. At one moment, Job is saying how he feels like God is not with him. Yet, he comes about with understanding, knowing that all of this pain is only for a little while. Just how Job has been faithful to God with his daily meditation of his word and offering sacrifices unto the Lord. He too is to be faithful to Job. We read of the same faithfulness of God:

“Return to Me, and I will return to you”

Malachi 3:7

As we are faithful to God thru all of trials, times of testing and when we are being tempted by satan himself, He will always be faithful to us, even during our times of always asking “why?”