Why? It always comes down to that. We ask God, “Why?” “Why the car accident? Why did the ATV flip over? Why the cancer or heart attack? Why the lay-off and unemployment? Why the divorce?” We always ask “why”, but is that the question we really want answered?
We’re not the first people to ask, “Why?” Similar “why” questions were asked in the Bible: “Why do the wicked prosper? Why do the nations rage? Why was this man born blind? Why have you forgotten me? Why have you forsaken me? Why was I born?” We want to make sense out of life, the universe, and everything. We are creatures sore-in-need-of-help. We ask, “Why?” Maybe we don’t care as much about the “why” as we do that it hurts. That’s the real issue: this sucks. What is God’s answer? What will God do about this?
Some bigger picture perspective: Everything was good and perfect when God created in Genesis 1 and 2. Man sinned in Genesis 3 and broke what God made. Now, we see through a lens darkly. Death entered the world and the curse is found far and wide. It is hopeless despair. Some say life is good with brief interruptions of hard; I contest most of life is hard with brief glimpses of good. But God is working to restore what was broken; cracks of sunshine are slicing through the darkness. In the end, that light will shine forth brightly and there will be no darkness. We are in the “in-between” times today. And we hope and wait.
But then some more specifics as to, “Why?” You want to know “Why?” Can you handle the truth? The Lord said, “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.’ I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it (Isaiah 46:9-11).” God is unchangeable, and who can turn him back? What he desires, he does (Job 23:13). And God asked Job, “Where were you when I was creating all of this? Do you have the power to do as I do? Tell me, if you can (Job 38-42).” The fact is, we don’t get the answer we want, and God is not obligated to give us an answer. God has a purpose and works all things according to the counsel of his will (Ephesians 1:11). We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8:27-28). That has to be enough.
So I can’t answer your specific question of “why” in your particular case. I don’t know why the accident or sickness or trouble. Would having an answer lift your hurt and pain? I am sorry for your loss and I will “weep with those who weep.” But I do know God is good and a comfort and ever-present help in times of trouble. He is a good shepherd. You can trust Him even in the hardest, “why” times. He invites you, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).” And that is a better answer to “Why?”