Today in American society, many Christians ask, "Why me? Why did this happen? Why did God allow this?" We get angry with God, blame other people, or even blame ourselves. We become stuck in blame, guilt, pain, and unanswered questions.
I have fallen into this myself many times. I'm not saying those questions or emotions are sinful. Often they simply reveal that when we've experienced pain, loss, wrongdoing, or difficult trials, our hearts are crying out for healing, love, comfort, and answers.
Those questions often reveal more about what we believe deep in our hearts about God, ourselves, and our circumstances than they do about the actual truth. In seasons of suffering, we may begin to believe that God has abandoned us, that He is punishing us, that He no longer loves us, or that our lives no longer have purpose. Yet our feelings, while real, are not always reliable indicators of God's character or His promises.
Yet some people who once claimed to follow Christ even walk away from Him because the pain feels overwhelming.
But what if we've been asking the wrong question?
Looking back over the last seven years of my life, I've experienced many painful trials. I wouldn't choose those experiences again, but today I can see how God has taken even my mistakes and painful seasons and used them for good. He has shaped my heart, deepened my faith, and taught me to depend on Him.
We see this throughout Scripture.
Joseph was betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely accused, and imprisoned. Yet after years of suffering, he told his brothers, "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives" (Genesis 50:20).
Most importantly, we see this in Jesus Christ. He was rejected, falsely accused, mocked, beaten, crucified, and killed; even though He had done no wrong. What appeared to be humanity's darkest moment became God's greatest act of redemption. Through Jesus' suffering, death, and resurrection, we have forgiveness, eternal life, and hope.
We also see this truth in the life of Bethany Hamilton. After losing her arm in a shark attack as a teenager, she could have allowed tragedy to define her life. Instead, she trusted God, returned to surfing, and has spent years encouraging others with the hope she has found in Christ. God did not erase her pain, but He gave it purpose.
Not every trial happens for the same reason. Sometimes we suffer because of our own choices. Other times we experience pain through loss, illness, injustice, broken relationships, or circumstances completely outside our control. But regardless of how suffering enters our lives, God is able to redeem it.
Romans 5:3–5 tells us that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. That hope is not wishful thinking; it is confidence in Christ.
As God shapes our character through trials, He also equips us to comfort others. People see that our hope isn't based on easy circumstances but on Jesus Himself. When they watch us continue trusting God in the middle of pain, they begin to see that the hope we have is found in Christ alone.
So perhaps instead of only asking, "Why me?" we should also ask:
"Lord, what are You teaching me?"
"How are You shaping my character?"
"How can You use this story to bring hope to someone else?"
Because our trials may become the very testimony God uses to point someone else to the hope that can only be found in Jesus Christ.
References (APA 7th Edition)
Bible (NIV) Biblica. (2011). Holy Bible, New International Version. Zondervan.
Bethany Hamilton Hamilton, B. (2004). Soul surfer: A true story of faith, family, and fighting to get back on the board. Pocket Books.
Romans 5:3–5; Genesis 50:20 Biblica. (2011). Holy Bible, New International Version. Zondervan.
Romans 5:3–5
Genesis 50:20
Romans 8:28
James 1:2–4
Psalm 34:18
2 Corinthians 1:3–4