"Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide, we might have hope."
Romans 15:4
"Why Me?" – the feeling that God has unfairly singled you out, especially during hard times.
It's easy to drift into a 'why me' mentality.
Scrolling through social media only makes it worse. We see endless images of people smiling and enjoying life. Meanwhile, we can't pay our bills. The car battery died. Our kids are driving us crazy. And we're waiting for test results from the doctor.
Why me, God? Why me?
I've noticed 'why me?' often spirals into 'woe is me'—a pity party with the uninvited guests of unbelief and despair.
However, when I open God's Word, my perspective begins to change. Paul says Scripture (the Old Testament in this context) gives us:
1. Instruction.
2. Encouragement.
3. Hope.
In other words, the Bible rescues us from our 'why me' mentality.
How?
• Instruction – God's Word teaches us how to live for Him. We can also learn from reading about both the successes and failures of His people. But even more than that, the Bible is brutally honest about life in a fallen world. Because of our rebellion in the Garden (Genesis 3), suffering and heartache are part of the human experience. That's why life requires "endurance" (Romans 15:4)—moving ahead while remaining under a burden.
Despite what we see on social media, we're not the only ones enduring trials. Joseph was betrayed. David fled from Saul's murderous threats for years. Elijah was so depressed that he wanted to die. These men (and many others) weren't just Bible characters—they were real people with real emotions. They probably had their 'why me' moments, too. And yet...all of them, albeit not perfectly, remained steadfast and devoted to the Lord.
• Encouragement – In an odd way, this is encouraging. Why? It reminds us that God isn't asking anything new from us. As Hebrews says, we're "surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses" who have already run the race (Hebrews 12:1). Their endurance inspires us not to give up. They made it to the finish line. We will too. Reading their stories reminds us that just as the Lord was with them, He is also with us, even when it doesn't seem like it. As we "fix our eyes on Jesus," we find the strength to endure another day (Hebrews 12:2).
• Hope – Hope isn't pretending we don't have problems. Hope is having confidence in the Lord's unchanging character despite our circumstances. Scripture shifts our focus from our problems to His promises. Like gasoline fuels a car, God's promises fill our souls with hope. So instead of drowning in 'why me, God?' we rise above in confidence, trusting that He will see us through.
If you want to decrease the volume of "Why me, God?," then increase your intake of the Word of God. Scripture will renew your perspective with life-giving instruction, soul-enriching encouragement, and unshakable hope.
Job told this to his cynical wife
But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips. Job 2:10, NKJV
When we say, "Why me God" as Christians we should really say, "Why not me God." Adam and Eve lived in a Paradise and rebelled against a Righteous God. Rebellion that continues today. So, what makes me any different than any other SINNER. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. We deserve NOTHING other than Eternal Separation from God, but God showed us TRUE Grace and Mercy when Jesus, the Lamb of God, took our sins upon himself and died on Calvary, rose on the third day, ascended into heaven and will return to receive those that believe he is the Son of God. We don't even deserve to MUTTER, "Why me God!"