{"id":21979,"date":"2013-07-03T17:36:08","date_gmt":"2013-07-03T16:36:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/adrianwarnock\/?p=21979"},"modified":"2025-11-19T17:46:27","modified_gmt":"2025-11-19T17:46:27","slug":"a-surprising-answer-to-the-why-me-question","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/adrianwarnock\/2013\/07\/a-surprising-answer-to-the-why-me-question\/","title":{"rendered":"A surprising answer to the “Why Me?” question"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

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I am continuing my Mental Health Series<\/a> by focusing in on things which the Bible has to say to all of us that are perhaps of particular relevance to those with mental health. \u00a0I urge us to let the church be the church<\/a> and offer everyone the help the Bible offers, whilst simultaneously encouraging seeking medical help.<\/p>\n

Today I want to address a question most of us have asked from time to time when facing suffering, the \u201cWhy me?\u201d<\/strong> question. \u00a0Certainly many who have experienced the devastation a mental illness can bring in its wake will have asked this question. \u00a0Today I simply want to focus on one answer that the Apostle Paul gives to that question. \u00a0Alone this does not provide all the answers, but it IS a hope-instilling truth.<\/p>\n

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Help When Life Hurts<\/p>\n

This article is part of a growing collection, drawing from Adrian Warnock\u2019s medical and psychological expertise, lived experience, and Christian faith.<\/p>\n

Click the type of pain you or a loved one are experiencing right now<\/p>\n

General suffering & disappointment<\/a>
\nFinancial difficulties<\/a>
\nFeeling disqualified<\/a>
\nChronic illness & disability<\/a>
\nDivorce & family pain<\/a>
\nDepression & mental health<\/a>
\nBereavement & end-of-life<\/a><\/p>\n

See the full list of over 40 articles
\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Blessed be the\u00a0God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and\u00a0God of all comfort,\u00a0\u00a0<\/sup>who comforts us<\/strong> in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction<\/strong>, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.\u00a0\u00a0<\/sup>For as we share abundantly in\u00a0Christ\u2019s sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.\u00a0<\/sup>If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; and if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer.\u00a0\u00a0<\/sup>Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you\u00a0share in our sufferings, you will also share in our comfort.<\/p>\n

For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers,\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0of\u00a0the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself.\u00a0<\/span>Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us\u00a0rely not on ourselves\u00a0but on God\u00a0who raises the dead. \u00a0<\/span>He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us.\u00a0On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. \u00a0<\/span>You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf\u00a0for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. (2 Corinthians 1:3-9)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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There are a number of points we can draw out of this passage<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. The source of Comfort<\/strong> \u00a0When suffering, there is a promise in this passage that God desires to comfort us. In the middle of the greatest pain and turmoil, God can and will break in and strengthen and console us in the middle of our difficulties. \u00a0He does this not as a detached observer, but as someone who both feels our pain and has himself suffered. \u00a0Because Christ suffered, he understands and will comfort us.<\/p>\n

2. The purpose of comfort<\/strong> God brings us through trials, and comforts us in them, so that we will be equipped to comfort others when they are in any kinds of trials<\/strong>. \u00a0It is no wonder Rick Warren recently tweeted<\/a>, \u201cAdvice on suffering from one who\u2019s never suffered deeply is always shallow, stale, and unconvincing. #<\/s>WoundedHealersNeeded<\/strong><\/a>\u201d \u00a0How surprising it is to realize that God has met you in the middle of your \u00a0suffering, so that you can help others who suffer. \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

This is gloriously liberating. When our gaze is directed only at ourselves and we wonder why we are suffering, God would have us lift our gaze first to him, and then to realize that he has surrounded us with people who can help us receive the comfort he wants to give us, and others who we ourselves will be able to help as a direct result of the painful situation we are going through.<\/p>\n

3. The results of comfort\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n