Why?

For most people, as a rule, this is the first question that comes to mind when tragedy, trouble, or adversity strikes.

Why did my child have to die? Why did I have to be in the accident that left me disabled? Why can we not get pregnant? Why was only our house destroyed by the storm?

Sooner or later, all of us are confronted with tragedy, with a situation we feel we did not deserve, that is unfair.

There are times when why is a crucial question, and times that it’s simply a waste time. If God would answer our Why, then surely that will console us, but as a rule, He does not provide the clarity. We are just left with the Why. And the Why ties us to the past, and this is what wastes time. The past is done, there is no changing it. Spending time there is unfortunately not the equivalent of the computer’s ‘undo’ button. It is what it is.

So, since we cannot change the past, and Why anchors us there, what question will be more productive? How about this one: “What now?”

“What” calls for problem solving, and “now” anchors us to the present. Which is all that we have. We do not know how much future we have left. Our end may be seconds or minutes away. All we have is now. “What now?” will free you. It will set you on a new path. It will get you moving again.

There is a time to mourn, so by all means, take the time to do so. But don’t stay there. Don’t let “Why?” anchor you there. To stay there is to be a victim. To fight your way through the trauma and sadness makes you a survivor. To become stronger because of the tragedy, makes you a thriver.

Wishing you to stand victorious on top of all the Why’s in your life,

Reen