Through the years I have heard people respond to their circumstances with the question “why me Lord.” Sometimes it was circumstances that they had no control over such as cancer, the death of a loved one, or a tough job situation. Sometimes there can be a list a mile long of why Me’s. This feeling, this attitude is a byproduct of selfishness. We all were born with that character trait, inherited from Adam and Eve. You don’t have to teach a child to say mine, one day it just happens. Long before they can say why me they have already expressed this disposition. Try laying a baby down that is used to being held all the time. You will immediately experience the why me syndrome that we all fall prey to from time to time.
While I do believe it is right to ask God to help us understand our situations. I don’t believe it is right for us to ask God “why me,” as if we feel he has treated us unfairly. The truth of the matter is that we all have better than we deserve. Romans 3:23 teaches us that we are all sinners. We are all deficient or lacking in regard to obtaining God’s approval to enter Heaven. Many seek to be justified on their own merit, but it is impossible. God is a holy God and perfection is required to enter Heaven. Romans 6:23 reminds us of what we deserve. We deserve death! This is not talking about the physical death we all must suffer, but an eternal death separated from God and doomed to Hell.
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
If you are a Christian, let me pose an answer to combat this type of feeling. My answer when things don’t go my way or when I’ve suffered hurt or pain is “why not me.” If I suffer a disease that is life-threatening, why not me? If I die, I will go to Heaven. Maybe God wants to use me in my trials or suffering to be a witness to those who don’t know Him. If I approach tough times or death with the hope of Christ in me, He will use me for His glory. I have the hope of eternal life, and I should rejoice in it. I have been justified by my faith and I am at peace with God.
Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
Should I ask for troubles, suffering, and trials? No, I do not gain pleasure from suffering, but if it comes, we are to trust God and grow through it. The Apostle Paul gives us the answer to how to deal with our trials and suffering. In II Corinthians chapter 12, he expresses his problem as a “thorn in the flesh.” He prayed 3 times for God to relieve Him of these infirmities, but God did not. Paul understood there was a purpose for his problems and through them, he drew closer to God.
II Corinthians 12:7-10 “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.”
So, why not me? If a lost person dies, they will go to Hell. We should desire it be us rather than a lost person. We should desire for God to use us any way He sees fit. If a situation will bring glory to Him, we should be willing to endure it for Him. A Christ-honoring attitude should always be our attitude no matter what the circumstances are. You never know who is watching your reactions to life’s situations. It could make a difference in their eternal destiny. So why not me?
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