Why not me? by Robyn Henning

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”  James 1:2-4

Valerie Harper (Rhoda from TV fame) was just diagnosed with terminal brain cancer and given about 3 months to live. 

She has displayed a great attitude especially in that she has chosen to face adversity with the attitude of ‘Why not me’ instead of ‘Why me.’

I have had both parents diagnosed with cancer, and it is never easy to hear this diagnosis. 

I don’t know if Valerie Harper knows Jesus as her Savior, I hope she does, but she is so smart to not let self pity push her into the negative mindset of ‘Why me.’ 

‘Why me’s’ easily transition to thoughts of “how could a loving God do this to me?” “I don’t deserve this!”…. like certain people do?

The Lord Jesus warned us that we would face trouble and tribulations in this world.  He then told us to cheer up because He had already overcome this world for us.  Thinking on this is meant to produce the fruit of peace in our lives (John 16:33).

I have a single lady friend who is really struggling with her career, unpaid bills and health.  Some days she lets depression and hopelessness get the best of her.  Her to do list doesn’t get started let alone accomplished.  It’s easier to go back to sleep.  This, of course, does not help her solve her problems, it only makes them worse.  But, at the moment of choice, it feels like she can’t get up and that there is no point even in trying.

When we focus on our problems and trials and on our own inabilities, we will sink into despair and hopelessness.  Depression is not far behind.

Our enemy, Satan, is not nice.  He does not cut us any slack when we are struggling.  He attacks our faith in God and His love for us.  He accuses God to us, and if we buy into it, we get angry at God.  Soon, the ‘Why me’s’ follow and we sink into the muck and mire of self-pity.

Recently, I read Billy Graham’s autobiography, Just As I Am.  When he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s someone asked him if we was angry at God for giving him this disease.  He, too, chose to take the right attitude of ‘Why not me’ instead of shaking his fist at God.  Some people would expect him to be angry that after serving God faithfully for so many years that he deserved to be healthy in his retirement.

The reality is that God uses the trials and hardships in our lives to test and prove our faith.  It is easy to profess faith when the seas of life are calm.  It’s a whole other story when the storms of life hit hard.

Storms never seemed to bother Jesus.  I have come to hate them since Hurricane Sandy traumatized me.

Life storms can be just as traumatic as earthly storms.  I think the key to growing from them is tied to the attitude that we take toward them.

If we say ‘Why me,’ we are prone to believe the accusing lies that Satan throws at us, and these lies will take root and undermine our faith.

If we say ‘Why not me,’ we will be able to take our thoughts captive and stay focused on Jesus instead of the storm.   As a result, our faith will grow and be found genuine.

None of us are so good and wonderful that we don’t ‘deserve’ hardships in our lives.  Trials in our lives are actually proof that God loves us.  So much so, that He doesn’t leave us to ourselves.  He uses these trials to deliver us from ourselves by leading us to depend on Him for the faith and strength to endure.

Remember: endurance will have its finished work; trials are used to make our faith complete in Christ.

So, when trials come: stop, drop and pray. 

Give thanks that He loves you enough to refine your faith in His strength and grace to be sufficient   for you in all things at all times. 

Cry out in your weakness and glory in His strength.

“I can’t Lord, but You can.  Thank You for dealing with this through me!”