	Bob Hostetler > Devotions

Why Me?

by Bob Hostetler

"There were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed--only Naaman the Syrian" (Luke 4:27, NIV).

A man is afflicted in the prime of life with a disabling disease. A woman is left alone with three young children when her husband abandons his family. An entrepreneur loses his business. A parent loses a child.

At such times, people are prone to question, "Why me?" Job did (Job 3:11-26). David did (Psalm 42:9). Even Jesus did (Matthew 27:46). It's natural, and understandable.

But why do we tend to ask "Why me?" only when sorrows come, not when blessings are poured out on us? As Jesus pointed out to the people of his hometown, "There were many in Israel with leprosy in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed--only Naaman the Syrian." But as far as we know, Naaman never stopped to ask, "Why me? Why should I be healed? Why am I so blessed?"

But "why me?" is a much better question in times of blessing than in times of sorrow, because it produces gratitude instead of doubt, joy instead of anger. After all, every day is filled with so much mercy, grace, and blessing that we don't deserve, that we would do well to cultivate the habit of asking "Why me?" when blessings come.

Prayer: Father, help me greet every mercy, grace, and blessing from your hand with joy, surprise, and gratitude.

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