Look Up: Understand the Why

When you’re in the valley, understanding why can help you look up.

(This is part two of a two-part series. Here is part one, Look Up: Find the Hope.)

When we’re in the valley and can’t see past the mountains, knowing why we’re facing pain can help us in how we react to it. But maybe you can’t think of the “why” you’re going through what you’re facing right now. Perhaps you just need to get through it. I understand. That valley you face is formidable. You need a path to climb out of it.

To help you find hope, go back to part one if you haven’t read it. But be open, because figuring out why we might face hardship can help you get through it.

Why do we go through suffering?

It’s the hardest question to answer. We live in a broken world because of sin. Directly or indirectly, sin has altered our lives and the circumstances we face. Sometimes the enemy attacks us, like he did to Job in the Bible. Sometimes it doesn’t make sense, and we have to lean on God all the more.

But sometimes God allows us to go through things for specific reasons. No matter the cause, God can work it all together for our good. We just have to cling to His promises.

“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 NASB1995

Suffering as discipline

There have been times when I disobeyed God and faced the direct consequences of my choices. We all face that if we choose to disobey. He will correct us to bring us back to Him because He loves us.

“My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord

Or loathe His reproof,

For whom the Lord loves He reproves,

Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.”

Proverbs 3:11-12 NASB1995

If we repent, He will forgive us. We may still face consequences of those sins, but we will have a greater peace knowing we made things right with God and His hope will fill us for the future.

“But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” 1 John 1:9 NLT

Keeping us humble

There have also been times when I wanted control and, in my pride, I thought I was doing a great job in life. But it’s usually not much later that I face something that I did not expect or want. It’s God’s reminder to bring honor and glory to Him, not ourselves.

In Second Corinthians, Paul said he had a thorn in his side, a messenger of Satan to torment him so that he would not exalt himself. We don’t know what it was, but we know the Lord’s answer to him. And it’s a promise for us too.

“Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me.” 2 Corinthians 12:8-9 NASB1995

Staying dependent on God

I have noticed that we as humans are fickle. One day, we’ll be praising God on the mountaintop, and the next, we’re running away from Him, ignoring the beautiful view He’s shown us from the top of that mountain.

So sometimes, our suffering is to keep us dependent on Him. If our lives were perfect all the time, would we even see our need for the Lord and truly seek Him? But without Him, we can do nothing.

“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 NASB1995

Bringing God glory

The story of the blind man Jesus healed in John chapter nine tells us that some suffering is because God has not finished our story. He is working. He has a plan. And in the end, it is to bring honor and glory to Him.

It shows His work in our lives more through the transformation. What has He brought us out of? What a miracle that He displays His great work in our lives!

“Jesus answered, ‘It was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was so that the works of God might be displayed in him.’ ” John 9:3 NASB1995

Suffering gives us empathy for others and helps us reach them for God.

God has allowed certain things in my life to give me a new empathy for others who have gone through similar experiences. Many times, it’s through those shared experiences that we can reach others for Jesus.

Has someone ever tried to give you advice when you face a trial, but they’ve never been through that type of trial before? It’s like taking parenting advice from people who don’t have kids. You don’t know what it’s like until you’ve lived it. So when we have shared similar experiences, we can reach others in a way we never could before.

When they are in the valley, we can show them the Source of Truth and speak into their lives with the hope of Jesus Christ, because He got us through the same thing. He gave us hope in our darkest moments. And we can help them find that hope in Him too.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 NASB1995

No matter what you face today, know that God is working. He will get you through. He will bring you healing. Focus on His Truth. Be thankful for His grace and mercy. Embrace His lovingkindness for you. Rest in His goodness.

And don’t forget when you walk through the dark valley, to look up and find the Son of God.

“The Lord bless you, and keep you;

The Lord make His face shine on you,

And be gracious to you;

The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.”

Numbers 6:24-26 NASB1995

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