Why Do We Yearn to Know “Why”?
There’s a deep longing in every human heart to understand the “why” behind life’s events. This yearning emerges most intensely during times of suffering, tragedy, or uncertainty. Why did this happen? Why is life so difficult? Why does evil persist? These questions are not just intellectual—they come from the depths of our souls, seeking meaning, purpose, and resolution.
Why do we feel such a need to know “why”? Let’s explore this yearning from a biblical perspective, uncovering its roots and its ultimate answer.
1. Created for Relationship and Understanding
The Bible teaches that humanity is uniquely created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). This means that we are designed for relationship with our Creator, and part of that design includes a capacity for reason, curiosity, and the desire to understand. God Himself is a God of wisdom and knowledge (Isaiah 40:28; Romans 11:33), and He has placed within us a reflection of His nature.
Ecclesiastes 3:11 declares that God “has set eternity in the human heart.” This truth reveals that we are wired to seek something beyond ourselves. The yearning to understand life’s mysteries—including “why” things happen—is a reflection of our eternal design. It’s a clue that we were made to seek and know God.
2. The Impact of the Fall
While our yearning to know “why” is part of our God-given nature, the fall of humanity introduced brokenness into this pursuit. When Adam and Eve disobeyed God, they sought to become like God, “knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). This desire to know was distorted by sin, shifting from a relationship of trust with God to a quest for autonomy and control.
Since the fall, humanity’s yearning to know has often been accompanied by frustration and confusion. Paul writes in Romans 8:20-22 that creation was subjected to futility, and we groan inwardly, longing for redemption. This groaning includes the frustration of unanswered questions, as our limited, finite minds struggle to grasp the infinite purposes of God.
3. God’s Wisdom Versus Human Understanding
Scripture reminds us that God’s wisdom and ways are far beyond our comprehension. Isaiah 55:8-9 declares, “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’”
This does not mean that God dismisses our questions. Instead, it highlights the reality that we, as finite beings, cannot fully grasp the infinite wisdom of an omniscient God. The story of Job illustrates this beautifully. Job endured profound suffering and cried out to God for answers. When God finally spoke, He didn’t provide a direct explanation but instead revealed His majesty and sovereignty. Job’s response was one of humility: “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know” (Job 42:3).
Our yearning to know “why” is valid, but it must be paired with a posture of trust in God’s perfect wisdom and goodness.
4. The Role of Faith
The Christian life calls us to walk by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). This means trusting God even when we don’t understand His purposes. Faith bridges the gap between our finite understanding and God’s infinite knowledge.
Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” While we may not receive answers to all our “why” questions in this life, faith assures us that God is good, sovereign, and working all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
Jesus Himself exemplified this trust in the Father. In the Garden of Gethsemane, as He faced the cross, Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). Even in His anguish, Jesus surrendered His “why” to the Father’s will.
5. The Purpose of Unanswered Questions
While unanswered questions can be challenging, they serve several purposes in our spiritual journey:
They Draw Us Closer to God: Our questions can lead us to seek God more deeply. Jeremiah 29:13 promises, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
They Teach Us Dependence: Unanswered questions remind us of our need for God and His guidance. Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to “trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
They Build Our Faith: Trusting God in the face of uncertainty strengthens our faith and refines our character (James 1:2-4).
They Point Us to Eternity: Some questions will only be fully answered in eternity. 1 Corinthians 13:12 reminds us, “For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”
6. The Ultimate “Why” Answered in Christ
At the heart of every “why” is a deeper question: Does God care? The ultimate answer to this question is found in Jesus Christ. Through His incarnation, death, and resurrection, Jesus demonstrated God’s love and commitment to humanity. He entered into our suffering and provided a way for us to be reconciled to God.
Romans 5:8 declares, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” The cross answers our deepest questions about God’s character and assures us that He is both just and loving.
7. A Call to Trust and Rest
While the yearning to know “why” is part of our human nature, it is ultimately fulfilled in relationship with God. He invites us to bring our questions, doubts, and fears to Him, trusting that He is good, sovereign, and faithful.
Psalm 46:10 encourages us to “be still, and know that I am God.” In the stillness of surrender, we find peace—not necessarily through receiving all the answers, but through resting in the One who holds all things together.
Conclusion: Embracing the Mystery
Our yearning to know “why” reflects our design as image-bearers of God, but it also reveals our limitations as finite creatures. While we may never receive all the answers we seek in this life, we can trust that God’s purposes are good, His wisdom is perfect, and His love is unfailing.
The journey of faith is not about having all the answers but about knowing the One who does. As we walk with Him, we learn to embrace the mystery, trust His heart, and rest in His promises. In Christ, we find not only the answers we seek but also the peace and hope to face life’s uncertainties with confidence and joy.