The “why” questions we ask God often arise when life feels unfair, confusing, or heavier than we think it should be. I know I have asked more than my fair share…
- Why did You give me a body that does not work?
- Why are things that are so simple for others, so hard for me?
- Why does my energy diminish so quickly?
- Why do I have to plan my life around my limitations?
- Why does my body keep getting worse?
- Why did You not heal me when I prayed?
- Why does everything go wrong even when I am careful?
- Why do I feel left behind while others move forward?
- Why do people stop showing up after a while?
- Why does my world feel smaller?
- Why do I sometimes feel invisible?
- Why are You silent when I need answers most?
- Why does faith feel harder in this body?
- Why do You let me wrestle with doubt?
- Why do You ask me to trust You without explanations?
- Why would You choose me for this?
- Why does my life still matter if I can do so little?
- Why is healing always “someday”?
- Why does hope sometimes feel silly?
- Why does waiting feel endless?
- Why is joy so difficult?
Why Does God Not Answer?
One thing I have learned from asking God “why” is that He is a master at keeping things under wraps.
God does not answer all of the “why” questions we ask Him. It is not because He is distant, cold, or uncaring.
An answer will not heal us. An answer will not carry us through suffering. An answer will not change our daily limitations and challenges.
We do not always get answers, but we always get His presence and we never get abandoned.
Yet we still search for answers. Will they be too heavy for us? Will we understand them? Will they overwhelm us?
Paul reminds us of this truth in the book of Romans:
“Oh, how great are God’s riches and wisdom and knowledge! How impossible it is for us to understand His decisions and His ways! For who can know the Lord’s thoughts? Who knows enough to give Him advice?”
—Romans 11:33–34 (NLT)
A Question as Old as Job
I highly recommend reading the book of Job in the Bible if you have not. It is essentially one long conversation regarding God’s answers (or lack of) to our “why” questions. Job is one of the oldest stories in Scripture and it reminds us that the “why” question is not new.
Job asks God some very fair questions, and God responds not with answers, but with Himself.
Instead of answering, God reminds Job that He knows what He is doing and has been doing just fine long before Job started asking his “why” questions.
Job, like us, does not get the answers he wanted. He does get a deeper glimpse of who God is, and that turns out to be enough.
It is comforting and frustrating at the same time. God has been answering “why” questions this way for a long time, and He has been very consistent.
More Valuable than Answers
God wants us to trust Him. Trust often grows without understanding. Our trust grows not when everything makes sense, but when we keep showing up even when we lack clarity.
Maybe the “why” questions we ask God are not meant to be answered.
God is teaching us how to lean, not how to analyze.
He wants us to lean on Him. Rather than answering with an explanation, He answers with Himself. Instead of answers, He offers companionship and strength for today.
Some explanations to our questions fit into a larger story. We only see one page in the storybook, while God sees the whole book. Some answers are reserved for later, maybe even eternity.
It is not wrong to ask “why”. It is not a lack of faith; it is human. The “why” questions we ask God aren’t signs of weak faith; they are often the most honest form of communication with God we have. And that is what He wants from us.
I have asked God many “why” questions in my life, and so far, He has not answered most of them – not because He is ignoring me, but because He prefers presence over explanation. So instead of giving me a clear explanation, He remains with me and all of my questions. He reminds me that I am not forgotten. He is proving to me that silence does not mean absence. I am learning that God is not bad at answering; He is simply very good at holding some things close.
Some Helpful Voices
If you are still sitting with “why” questions – if they keep coming up no matter how much faith you have -you are not alone. Sometimes it helps to hear how other believers have wrestled honestly with God and stayed rooted in Him, even without answers.
The following are two books that have encouraged me in this area.
Why, God, Why?: How to Be Delivered from Confusion by Joyce Meyer
Why, God, Why?: What to Do When Life Doesn’t Make Sense by Karen Jensen
Neither author lives with a physical disability, but both write from places of deep personal suffering that left them asking the same questions many of us ask. Their experiences differ from yours and mine, but the wrestling, waiting, and faith needed in the face of unanswered questions are very familiar. These books don’t promise explanations—they offer biblical perspective, honesty, and hope when God feels silent.
The links provided areaffiliate links. If you choose to buy through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Any earnings go toward supporting this website and creating faith-based resources for Christians living with physical disabilities. I only recommend resources I’ve personally found encouraging.