Whenever we go through trials, difficulties, and hardships in life, one of the natural things we do is ask questions. Sometimes those questions come because we are afraid, frustrated, hurt, or confused. So here is the question: Is it okay to ask God questions? When we go through trials, difficulties, and hardships, or when we are afraid, frustrated, mad, or hurt, is it okay to ask God questions?
Luke 1 gives us an interesting answer. Luke begins his Gospel with what is often called the “infancy narrative,” which deals with the birth and infancy of both John the Baptist and Jesus. Luke moves back and forth between John and Jesus, and one of the things he wants us to understand is that Jesus is superior to John in every way. John is the forerunner who announces the fulfillment, but Jesus is the fulfillment. John paves the way; Jesus is the Way.
In Luke 1:5-25, we are introduced to Zechariah. He and his wife, Elizabeth, were righteous people, but they had no children. While Zechariah was serving in the temple, an angel of the Lord appeared to him and announced that he and Elizabeth were going to have a son. Their son would be John the Baptist, an important part of God’s plan to prepare people for the coming of Jesus. How did Zechariah respond? He asked a question: “How shall I know this?” (Luke 1:18). Zechariah was afraid and troubled, but his question came from a place of doubt and unbelief. Essentially, he was saying, “How in the world is that going to happen? We are both old. My wife is barren. There is no way God can do this.” Zechariah was asking God for a child while at the same time not believing that God could give him one. As a result, he was punished. He would not be able to speak until the day these things were fulfilled (Luke 1:20).
Then, in Luke 1:26-38, the same angel, Gabriel, appears to Mary. He gives her a similar message: she is going to have a son, Jesus, who will be the Son of the Most High and will reign forever. Mary also asks a question. She says, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” (Luke 1:34). Notice the difference. Mary is not doubting God. She is not saying, “There is no way You can do this.” She is seeking to understand how God is going to accomplish His will. Gabriel explains that she will conceive by the Holy Spirit, tells her about what is happening with her relative Elizabeth, and then says, “For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37). And how does Mary respond? “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word” (Luke 1:38).
So, is it okay to ask God questions? It depends on where the question comes from. Zechariah’s question came from unbelief. Mary’s question came from a desire for greater understanding. Both were afraid. Both were troubled. Both heard an incredible message from the same angel. Both asked questions. But their questions came from very different places. If our questions say, “God, how in the world are You going to do this? I don’t think there is any way You can do this,” then we have placed God inside a box and doubted His power. But if our questions say, “God, I know You can do this. I trust You. I just want to understand Your will and how You are going to accomplish it,” then those are questions God welcomes.
We see this throughout the Psalms. Psalm 13 begins with David asking, “How long, O Lord?” (Psalm 13:1). David had questions. He was hurting. But his questions were not a rejection of God. He was seeking God to consider him, answer him, lift up his eyes, and help him. Even in the middle of his questions, David trusted in God’s steadfast love, rejoiced in God’s salvation, and recognized that the Lord had been good to him (Psalm 13:3-6).
So when you go through trials, difficulties, and hardships, don’t be afraid to ask God questions. When you are afraid, frustrated, mad, hurt, or confused, bring those questions to Him. Just remember the difference between Zechariah and Mary. God does not want us to question His power, but He welcomes our questions when we are seeking to understand His will. God has shoulders big enough to handle our questions. He simply wants us to bring those questions to Him with faith, trust, and a heart that is willing to say, like Mary, “Let it be to me according to your word.”
Tyler Alverson
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