Living by Faith: 5 Lessons From the Book of Habakkuk a 5-Day Devotional by Dwan Dixonਨਮੂਨਾ

Lesson 1: Can We Ask God Why?

Pain and suffering are universal experiences, yet it wasn’t until I began my nursing career that I truly grasped the depth of pain in the world. The 12-hour—sometimes 14-hour—shifts were not only physically demanding but also mentally exhausting. Despite my best efforts to provide care and comfort, I couldn’t always alleviate the suffering completely.

This reality raises questions many of us face in moments of struggle: Why does God allow suffering? Why does evil persist if God is good? Why doesn’t He intervene? These are reasonable questions, and we as believers should not be afraid to ask.

This dilemma echoes the cry of the prophet Habakkuk: “How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save.” Habakkuk‬ 1‬:2‬ (NLT)‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬. Like Habakkuk, we wrestle with the tension of a good God seemingly silent in the face of evil. This resonates deeply when trials make us question God’s purpose in our trials.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

There are several reasons why evil and suffering may appear unchecked. First, the Fall introduced sin into a world God originally created as perfect. Humanity’s choice to disobey brought brokenness into creation. Second, God grants us free will—the freedom to choose between good and evil. This freedom allows us to grow and learn from our decisions, even when they lead to hardship. Third, struggles build character. Our challenges refine us and foster resilience. Fourth, suffering can draw us closer to God. In our trials, we have the opportunity to seek Him. When we seek to know, we begin to understand His character more deeply.

Finally, we must recognize that God’s ways are higher than ours. There will be times when we don’t understand why suffering occurs, but faith calls us to trust His sovereignty. God is God, and we are not. We have to trust that He is in control. God sees the full picture of our lives and orchestrates His plans for a greater purpose.

Reflect

Have you ever found yourself asking God, 'Why?' regarding a specific situation in your life?

Looking back on past struggles, can you recognize how God used those experiences to shape your character or deepen your faith?