Why Doesn’t God Tell You Why Something Happens? - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - May 7, 2025

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Why Doesn’t God Tell You Why Something Happens? 
By Rick Warren

“Surrender yourself to the LORD, and wait patiently for him.” Psalm 37:7 (GW)

People struggle with contentment, and one of the reasons is because we’re always looking for explanations for why things happen in our lives. But God doesn’t tell us why most things happen—and that can be really frustrating!

So why doesn’t God tell you why everything happens in your life? Because he’s testing you. He’s testing you to see if you will let go of control and learn to be content, whether he explains something or not. 

The truth is, God doesn’t owe you an explanation for anything, and you wouldn’t understand it even if he gave it.

But even if you did get an explanation, it still wouldn’t take away the pain. For most things in life, you’re not going to know why they happen until you get on the other side of death. 

Even though God won’t give you explanations for most things, he often will use those difficult situations to test you.

When I was a little kid in school, the only time our classroom was quiet was during a test. The teacher would say, “No talking! Take your pencils, and fill out your tests.” Even the teacher would be silent. 

When God is silent in your life and feels a million miles away, your faith is being tested. God may be looking to see: Will you let go of control, or will you grab on more tightly? Will you learn to be content?

When you’re going through pain this week or next month or this year, you don’t really need God’s explanation. You need God’s presence.

“Surrender yourself to the LORD, and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7 GW).

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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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