Let’s get real about something that can paralyze us in ministry – living in the land of “why.” I spent years there, and trust me, it’s not a great neighborhood.
You know what I mean, right? Why didn’t this program work? Why did that staff member leave? Why isn’t God blessing our efforts? Why, why, why. It’s exhausting, and here’s the kicker – it rarely leads to anything productive.
I remember when HeadsUp Inc. was crumbling. I spent countless nights asking why God would let this happen after all our success. I was so focused on why that I completely missed what He was doing – preparing me for a completely different kind of impact through Standing Stone Ministry.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5
Living in “why” is costly. It drains your energy, clouds your vision, and can even damage your faith. It’s like trying to drive forward while constantly looking in the rearview mirror – you’re going to miss where God is leading you.
The shift from “why” to “what” isn’t just a change in vocabulary – it’s a complete paradigm shift. “What are you teaching me?” “What opportunities are you creating?” “What growth is possible here?” These questions move us from victims to students, from passive observers to active participants in God’s work.
I see this transformation happen regularly in our ministry. When pastoral couples come to our retreats stuck in their “whys,” we help them reframe their questions. The relief on their faces when they start seeing God’s “what” in their situations is incredible.
Here’s the beautiful thing – when we stop demanding answers to our “whys” and start looking for God’s “whats,” we often find purpose in our pain. Every struggle becomes a potential ministry, every setback a setup for something greater.
What “whys” are you wrestling with today? How might God be inviting you to see things differently?