WHY ME?

I originally wrote this article as a guest post for Christian Ebooks Today on May 4, 2015. 

A frequent comment by Christians when they are confronted by tragedy is, "Why me?"  It is a question that has run through my mind occasionally. I cannot answer the "Why me?" question, but God can. He is the one that is in control...not us.

First of all, there is nothing in scripture promising us a life of perfection without problems, heartbreak, or calamity in general. Actually, it points out that we may be subjected to even greater torment in his name. As a Christian, we are to be different in the way we handle the pain that will surely be laid upon us.  We should stand out in a world where so many people put their faith in technology for deliverance, for a solution to every problem. We are instructed to love when the other person seemingly deserves none. We are instructed to show compassion when the other person seemingly deserves none. We are instructed to forgive when the other person deserves none. We must have faith in the seemingly unseen. We are to experience and exhibit spiritual joy in the midst of great personal pain. All these things put us potentially in harm's way. We are asked to give comfort and show kindness to any who need it including those of other faiths.  We must love and forgive those who torture us and make our life miserable and painful.

 

Why should we do these things?  Because God forgives us when we do not deserve it. God loves us when we do not deserve it. God shows us compassion when we do not deserve it.  As a Christian, we must show the world that we are not immune to tragedy and difficult times. We must be an example by the godly manner and spiritual joy we exhibit as we deal with tragedy and difficult times. We must not try to handle it alone for the very reason that we are incapable of handling it alone. In other words, God does not put things upon us that we cannot handle if done in conjunction with his assistance. In those times, we must pray for stronger backs and his wisdom and courage...not to take the burden away. Yes, be a glory to God in our trials.

In Mark 14:35-36, we see that our Father exempted not even his son, Jesus, from tragedy and the most horrendous of situations. Jesus, as always, was the perfect example of how to handle the situation. Knowing the dreadful events that lay before him and suffering great anguish, he talked it over with his Father, God. Jesus told God that he wanted that cup or that mission removed from his life, but acknowledged that it was what God wanted, his will, not what he personally wanted. As Christians, we do nothing wrong in asking for the cup to be taken from us, but, at the same instance, we need to let God know it is his will that counts...not ours. Why me? Why not me?