Second guessing God: When is it a sin?
It is impossible to go through life without second guessing God.
That truth can take a load of guilt off singles like you and me who wonder why God hasn't provided us with a spouse or a better job or relief from illness or disability.
We're right up there with Abraham, Moses, Gideon, Hannah, David, Elijah, Joseph, and John the Baptist—Bible people who doubted God's plans for them.
Did God vaporize them with a lightning bolt? No. He was patient, just as he is with you and me. When the clock is ticking and things don't seem to be getting any better, waiting leads to doubts.
That's when second guessing God takes one of two directions.
My way, my way, MY WAY!
The first direction is dangerous. It's when we want our own way and we want it right now! We act like toddlers in adult bodies.
God recognizes that. He made us, he's observed billions of us humans over the centuries, and—surprise—we're not getting more enlightened over time.
Isn't it true that most of our frustration in life comes from not getting our own way and not getting it immediately? From traffic jams to getting married, we're constantly worked up because life refuses to obey our orders.
We admire those people who conquer every obstacle to get what they want. They obtain the job or position they long for, they get fame and fortune and all the perks that go with those achievements.
For you and me, the danger comes when we think our Christian behavior entitles us to tell God what to do. Oh, it may not be that obvious, but as children of God, we sometimes step over the line. We think we're owed not just day-to-day blessings but everything we demand.
Fortunately, God is too wise to give in to that. Instead of raising a bunch of spoiled brats, he wants to conform us to the character of Christ, the most worthy goal he could have for us.
So in second guessing God, we think we know what's best for us: our way. I've been guilty of it many times and suspect you have too. Maturing spiritually is a gradual process in which we're constantly learning who is in charge, and it's not us.
Deliberate disobedience, violating God's commandments to get our own way, is sin. We rationalize our motives—we always do that with sin—but that doesn't cut it with God. He sees through our selfish games.
God forgives sin, but sin can have disastrous consequences. When it becomes habitual, God may discipline us to the point where we finally realize the pain isn't worth it.
Second guessing God: Why?
Most of our second guessing God takes a different, harmless direction. It's simply asking "Why?"
Because bad things happen to good people, we chafe at injustice. When a preacher says, "Obedience brings blessing," and instead we get misery, we naturally think, "Something is seriously wrong here."
The Christian explanation is this world has been ruined by sin, from Adam down to us. Things don't work the way they should. Suffering hits the wrong people. Cancer, disability, broken relationships and job losses strike Christians as often as they do unbelievers.
God allows all sorts of events to come into our lives, both good and bad. We're quick to praise him for the good but instantly doubt him for the bad.
I feel I'm a special case. Do you? I think bad things should never happen to me, and I'm confounded when they do. Then I second guess God and ask "Why?" It's not out of disobedience but frustration.
God sees my frustration and forgives me. He leaves the world a sin-battered place so people can have free will. He forces nobody to choose him. We Christians try to clean things up, and while our method can make a little headway, God's plan is to provide Jesus for salvation and eternal life.
I expect to go on second guessing God until the day I die. I'm looking for meaning and understanding. God knows that and even encourages it.
Less rebellion, more trust
I think the key to this problem of second guessing God lies in knowing who we are and who God is.
As born again, saved believers, we have a sin-debt covered by the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, and yet our sinful nature is still with us. As hard as we try to stop sinning, we just can't do it. That's why we need Jesus every day.
Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we make progress through the lifelong process of sanctification. By obeying and surrendering, we can become more Christlike. We have hope in God.
Trusting God requires the leap of faith that his path for us is ultimately for our best, even when it doesn't feel like it at the time. Putting your life in his hands takes courage, but it's a courage he provides.
Each step away from self and toward God makes us stronger. Eventually the desire to demand our own way fades. We may be second guessing God with the "Why?" question until we walk through the gates of heaven, but once we're face-to-face with him, our doubts will be resolved and we'll have this epiphany:
"God, you were right all along."
