Is it Ok to Question?

I have been reading numerous Christian personalities talk about how they weren’t allowed to question things in their church. Or how they believe that doubts drive us to greater faith, so doubts should be embraced as ok.

This is what I have found to be true in my Christian walk.

It is ok to have questions. David often voiced his questions in his Psalms. I once had a pastor say that we should never ask the question, “Why?” But the man after God’s own heart, David, asked, “why?” on several occasions. For instance:

I say to God my Rock, “Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?”

Psalm 42:9

But notice, even in David’s questioning, he still keeps God in the proper place in his life. He questions God, but doesn’t disrespect God in the process.

Sometimes our doubts get so big that they make if difficult to keep God in his rightful place. The Bible promises that God won’t leave us while we struggle to find our faith again:

if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.

2 Timothy 2:13

But I have also learned that the only way to find faith again is to actually practice faith. What is faith?

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see…. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:1, 6

Believe that what God has promised is true, even if what you see right now doesn’t make sense to you. Have confidence in what you do not see. Believe that He will reward you, even if you can’t see how right now.

The other day I was frustrated about a truly minor situation, but it was still really maddening to me. I asked God to fix the situation, but He wouldn’t. Instead, He reminded me of the verse:

give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

It took some work, but I managed to get myself to thank him for being with me. And it was the craziest thing – I felt awesome, even though I was still stuck in a less-than-ideal situation!

I shouldn’t have been surprised as He promises that:

However, as it is written

“What no eye has seen,what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”^[b]—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—

1 Corinthians 2:9