Ever wondered why in your life or with God? Me too.
Why do kids ask why, and parents tell them Because I said so? Is there really no reason?
If not, then why make our kids do it? If yes, then why don’t we tell them?
Why do flamingos stand on one leg?
Why do woodpeckers not get headaches?
Why do cats purr?
Why do geese fly in a V formation?
Why do leaves change color?
Why do camels have humps?
Why do octopuses have three hearts?
Why do sharks never stop swimming?
Why do bees die after stinging?
Why do owls turn their heads so far?
Earth & Space
Why is the sky blue?
Why is the ocean salty?
Why are sunsets red?
Why do we have leap years?
Why do magnets attract metal?
Why does popcorn pop?
Why does a microwave heat food but not the plate (sometimes)?
Society & Laws
Why do good laws still get broken?
Why do we value freedom but also want security?
Why do people obey laws even when they disagree with them?
Why is something legal not always considered right?
Human Nature
Why do we remember criticism longer than compliments?
Why do people fear failure more than they desire success?
Why is it easier to judge others than ourselves?
Why do people hide their weaknesses?
Why do we make the same mistakes more than once?
Success & Life
Why do some people work hard and never become wealthy?
Why do some people seem to succeed without trying?
Why doesn’t money guarantee happiness?
Why do people regret things they once desperately wanted?
Why do people sacrifice long-term goals for short-term pleasure?
Relationships
Why is trust easy to lose but hard to rebuild?
Why do people hurt the people closest to them?
Why is saying “I’m sorry” so difficult?
Why do people become lonely even when surrounded by others?
The World
Why do innocent people suffer?
Why does injustice sometimes seem to win?
Why isn’t life fair?
Personal Reflection
Why do you believe what you believe?
Why do you fear what you fear?
Thought Experiments
Why do we value things more after we lose them?
Why do we often want what we can’t have?
Why is truth sometimes uncomfortable?
Why are some questions more important than their answers?
Why is the legal adult age 18, but the drinking age 21?
Why can someone join the military before they can legally drink?
Why do people disagree even when they have the same facts?
Why do people fear change?
Why do people procrastinate?
Why do people compare themselves to others?
2. Paul and the “thorn in the flesh”
Paul doesn’t record the word “why,” but he clearly sought an explanation or removal.
“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.”
— 2 Corinthians 12:7–9
Instead of removing the thorn, God answered:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Paul received God’s purpose rather than the answer he may have expected.
3. Martha after Lazarus died
Martha questioned Jesus after her brother’s death.
“Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”
— John 11:21
Although not phrased as “why,” it expresses the natural question of why Jesus had not intervened sooner. Jesus responded by revealing Himself as “the resurrection and the life.”
4. John the Baptist
While in prison, John questioned what God was doing.
“Are you the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?”
— Matthew 11:2–3
John wasn’t asking “why” directly, but he was wrestling with why events were unfolding differently than he expected. Jesus answered by pointing to the evidence of God’s work.
5. The disciples
The disciples often asked Jesus why things happened.
“Why could we not cast it out?” (Matthew 17:19)
“Why do you speak to them in parables?” (Matthew 13:10)
“Lord, why can’t I follow you now?” (John 13:37)
These questions show that even Jesus’ closest followers didn’t always understand God’s ways.
1. Jesus on the cross
This is the most well-known example.
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
— Matthew 27:46; Mark 15:34
Jesus was quoting Psalm 22. This expresses the depth of His suffering while also pointing to a psalm that ultimately ends in hope and God’s deliverance.
A common theme
Throughout the New Testament, faithful people ask questions when they don’t understand:
Jesus asks, “Why have you forsaken me?”
Paul asks for relief.
Martha questions God’s timing.
John the Baptist questions God’s plan.
The disciples ask why.
Job
Question: “Why is this happening to me?”
After losing his children, wealth, and health, Job repeatedly asked why God would allow such suffering.
Verses: Job 3; Job 7:20–21; Job 10:2; Job 13:24.
God eventually answered Job—not by explaining every detail, but by revealing His wisdom and power (Job 38–42).
David
David often asked, “Why, Lord?”
Examples:
“Why, Lord, do you stand far off?” (Psalm 10:1)
“How long, Lord?” (Psalm 13:1–2)
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Psalm 22:1)
Jeremiah
Question: “Why does the way of the wicked prosper?”
Verse: Jeremiah 12:1.
Jeremiah struggled with seeing evil people succeed while God’s people suffered.
Habakkuk
One of the clearest examples.
Questions:
“How long, Lord, must I call for help?”
“Why do you make me look at injustice?”
Verses: Habakkuk 1:2–3.
God answered him with a conversation that fills the whole book.
Moses
Asked why God had sent him if things were only getting worse for Israel.
Verse: Exodus 5:22–23.
Gideon
Question: “If the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us?”
Verse: Judges 6:13.
Asaph
The writer of Psalm 73 questioned why the wicked prospered while the righteous suffered.
His perspective changed when he entered God’s presence.
The Prophet Elijah
After his victory on Mount Carmel, Elijah questioned God’s plan and even asked to die.
Verse: 1 Kings 19:4.
God responded with gentle care rather than rebuke.
What we learn
A common pattern appears in Scripture:
God’s people asked honest questions.
They brought their doubts directly to God rather than turning away from Him.
God often responded with His presence, promises, wisdom, or reassurance—even when He didn’t give the full explanation.
Asking God “why?” isn’t portrayed as a lack of faith by itself. In many cases, it’s part of a genuine relationship with Him. The key difference is whether the question comes from a heart seeking God or a heart rejecting Him.
Play the song " He Won’t " at the end. All of your why questions answered in this song.
Discussion Closers
Is every “why” question meant to have an answer?
Can you trust someone even when you don’t understand them?
Does not understanding something mean it’s wrong?
Is it possible to have peace without having every answer?
What’s the biggest “why” question you’ve ever asked?
If God answered every one of your “why” questions today, would there still be more tomorrow?
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