1186) One thing I want to encourage my students to do is ask questions. If they don’t understand one of the grammar lessons we had, I want them to ask so they can learn. If they do not understand why I marked something on their essay, they need to find out. All they have to do is ask.

This reminds me of one universal question people regularly ask, sometimes without realizing it, and that is, “Why?” When something bad happens, it’s common to sit in our hurt, stress, and upheaval and ask why.

Taking these reflections a step further, many of us, when we ask why, are really asking this question of God. Why are you allowing this, God? Why didn’t you stop it? Why, God, why?

In these questions, there is an implied accusation, and that is, Since God allowed this horrible thing, is God good? I think this is in the background because there’s something inside that is trying to find a purpose and often, amid difficult circumstances, it’s hard to find the good.

God promises to use all things in our lives for good, (Romans 8:28) and God reminds us in Nahum that he is our refuge when difficulties come our way.

He IS good, even if ‘good’ hurts in the immediate. He cares about you, always. Nahum 1:7