The Five What's

Well do I remember my days of ministry in the prison when some fellow would pour out his heart to me about some real tragedy in his life, and he would express his dismay and confusion about what had or was happening to him. Often, he would cry out the question ''why’, Chaplain; why, did such a horrible thing happen to me?” During such times I too would cry out inwardly to the Lord for a workable response. Finally one day when doing rounds in the Solitary Confinement Unit (the “box”), the Lord dropped it in on me on how to reply to such a question:

The better question is not ‘why’? I would say to him, but 'what'?! In fact, there are at least five “what’s” you may ask God in your prayer:

1. –- “What are You saying to me, Lord, though all of this mess''? Or:

2. -- ''What am I doing that I ought not be doing''? (The sin of commission) Or its reverse:

3. -- ''What am I not doing that I ought to be doing''? (The sin of omission). If no answer came by then:

4. -- ''What would You do, Lord, if You were down here in my shoes right now''? And then, lastly,

5. -- ''What one thing in this moment can I do in thought, word, or deed that will help me see and do according to Your highest, and best will for me and my loved-ones"?

Thus, I have found out that when that counselee would truly humble himself and wait upon Him seeking what He had in mind, then He in time would always come through in some tangible way with a solid answer manifesting to us His direction and peace. He never fails; He is always faithful when we seek Him with a pure, unselfish heart! Amen!

The reason He does this, of course, is because He wants to give the hurt, seeking or offended person the opportunity for Him to participate in our lives – to be a partner with us, His children. We thus give Him deference and respect when we ask the question “what” rather than “why”. In effect, we are then saying to Him: “I believe You in Your Wisdom, Knowledge, and Power, and that You have some answer or solution for me, and that You can help me in my pain”.

Like the Scripture says in Romans 4:3, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness”, so too we can come to know rightly His will and find favour with Him as we walk in obedience to His revelation.

Asking “Why”, on the other hand, betrays our self-centeredness and/or ignorance showing that we are basically complaining and gripping about our circumstances. God does not like a “whiner”.

Many examples in Scripture can be found showing this (e.g., Philippians 2:14-15; 1 Corinthians 10:10; 1 Peter 4:9):


Philippians 2:14-15:
Do all things without grumbling or questioning, [15] that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,

1 Corinthians 10:10:
nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer.

1 Peter 4:9:
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.