This may seem like a random article in the mix of my past blog posts, but I simply want to explain the importance of asking questions. There is value even in asking a seemingly dumb question like: “Why ask questions?” I believe you won’t get anywhere in life without asking questions and, more importantly, seeking the answers. Asking questions makes us human. They make us different from mindless robots or creatures that only act out of instinct. We have the thought and the ability to ask “Why?” We don’t want to just know the world exists, but why and how it exists.
Full of Questions
Since we are in a global crisis right now, I’m going to give some examples of questions many of you have already asked in this time. This coronavirus crisis has greatly heightened our awareness of how uncertain life is, resulting in an overload of hard questions that may or may not be answered. They may include:
“Why did God allow the COVID-19 to spread?”
“Why does God allow suffering and death?”
“Is God really good and loving?”
“Does God exist?”
“Is this the end of the world?”
“Is there life after death?”
“How do I know I’m saved?”
“Is heaven and hell real?”
“When will Jesus come back?”
“What’s going to happen to the economy?”
“What’s going to happen to my family?”
“What’s going to happen to the Church?”
“What does the future hold for us now?”
These are just a few of the hard questions that you and I wrestle with each day, in or out of crisis. Again, these make us human. We don’t know everything and we’re not in control, but we want answers. We often turn to our fear, doubt, and worry when we ask questions, but these are not the only reasons to ask questions. Deep down, I believe, whenever we ask questions, whether out of fear or not, we are seeking truth. We desire to know what is true and what is false. That’s our focus today.
Thinking is Good
What’s the point of asking questions? Questions mean we are thinking, which is always a good thing. God made us to think. He created us in His image, giving us free will (Genesis 1:26-27). That means we can choose right or wrong—to follow God or not. God desires for us to think, ask questions, and turn to Him for help with the answers.
The problem with thinking and asking questions is when we don’t use it as an opportunity to turn to God. This happened with Adam and Eve when Satan, in the form of a serpent, tempted them. Genesis 3:1-5 tells us:
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden”?’ The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, “You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.”’ ‘You will not surely die,’ the serpent said to the woman. ‘For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’”
Satan asked Eve questions, twisting the truth, causing her to question God. Instead of going to God, Adam and Eve chose to listen to their own desires and ate the forbidden fruit.
How can we prevent this from happening in our own lives? By taking every thought captive. 2 Corinthians 10:5 teaches us: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” If Adam and Eve had done this and gone to God, sharing their thoughts and questions after talking with the serpent, they may not have disobeyed Him. When we think and question, we need to seek the truth, testing our thoughts and questions with the truth.
Seek Truth
Asking questions is one way we seek the truth. But how do we know where to look for the truth? The Bible tells us that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). He should be the only Person we go to for the truth. The best place to accomplish this is by going to the Bible, God’s living and active Word.
The Bible, along with God’s Spirit for guidance and understanding, can help us test our words and actions with the truth. Lamentations 3:40 explains: “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 13:5 adds to this in saying: “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?” How do we test ourselves? We ask questions. We ask questions like: What are my words and actions saying about what I believe in God? Are my words and actions honoring to God? Are people around me pointed to God by what I say and do?
Romans 12:2 instructs us in saying: “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” In light of today’s crisis, this verse speaks to us. We are not to conform to the world and give into our fear, but be transformed in the renewing of our mind by surrendering our all to Christ and trusting in the faith, hope, peace, and love we have in Him. For in Christ, we are given His Spirit—a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline, not of fear (2 Timothy 1:7).
Keep Asking Questions
I want to encourage you to never stop asking questions. If you stop asking questions, then you’ve stopped learning and you’ve given up on seeking and understanding the truth. Like I said before, God made us to think and ask questions. He is often the one who stirs many of our questions within us. He longs for us to seek Him. That seeking begins with questions. We weren’t created to mindlessly go about life. We were made with a mind to seek answers to questions about life, the universe, God, our relationship with God, our identity, our purpose, and our hope. God has graciously provided us with the answers we want to know in His Word and through His Son, Jesus Christ. We simply need to pursue Him each and every day.
What Does This Mean for You Right Now
Maybe you are stuck in your fear because of the current global crisis and have so many questions, but no answers. I have four recommendations for you. My first recommendation is to ask: Who does God say He is? Second, go to the Bible and write down all the characteristics and attributes of God. Third, humbly turn to God in prayer.Thank Him for who He is and all that He does for you. And confess that you have turned to fear and worry, instead of trusting in Him. Ask for Him to strengthen your faith and trust in Him, leaning completely on who He is and what He is able to do. And surrender your fear and worries to Him. Fourth, return to your questions and find peace in knowing and trusting in God, even if you don’t have immediate answers. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength.
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