--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When we honestly ask God the 'why'…" description: "\"When we honestly ask God the 'why' question, He doesn't give us answers as much as He gives us Himself.\" — Joni Eareckson Tada" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/483/joni-eareckson-tada-2943_answers_when-we-honestly-ask-god-the-why-questio_2088198.png" --- # When we honestly ask God the 'why' question, He doesn't… ![“When we honestly ask God the 'why' question, He doesn't give us answers as much as He gives us Himself.” quote by Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/483/joni-eareckson-tada-2943_answers_when-we-honestly-ask-god-the-why-questio_2088198.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/483/joni-eareckson-tada-2943_answers_when-we-honestly-ask-god-the-why-questio_2088198.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/483/joni-eareckson-tada-2943_answers_when-we-honestly-ask-god-the-why-questio_2088198.png) > “When we honestly ask God the 'why' question, He doesn't give us answers as much as He gives us Himself.” [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Seeking divine purpose often leads to personal experience rather than explicit answers. **In simple terms:** God gives presence, not clear reasons. Key Takeaway Embrace experiential faith. Themes spirituality faith purpose Mood contemplative hopeful Type spiritual inspirational When to use this quote - prayer - counseling - life crises - spiritual growth Key Concepts theodicy personal revelation Questions to Reflect On - How do you find meaning without clear answers? - Can silence be a form of guidance? A Different Perspective Answers may remain ambiguous, causing frustration. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) ## Related quotes > [God himself does not give answers. He gives himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-buechner/god-himself-does-not-give-answers-he-gives-himself/) [Frederick Buechner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-buechner/) > [There's nothing quite so stultifying as having someone around who has all the answers-and gives them to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-w-campbell/there-s-nothing-quite-so-stultifying-as-having-someone-around-who-has/) [John W. Campbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-w-campbell/) > [Thanks to my reading, I have never been caught flat-footed by any situation, never at a loss for how any problem has been addressed...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mattis/thanks-to-my-reading-i-have-never-been-caught-flat-footed-by-any/) [Jim Mattis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mattis/) > [“Science doesn't have all the answers, but it is good at spotting the important questions when they are camouflaged against a background of common…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/science-doesn-t-have-all-the-answers-but-it-is-good-at-spotting-the/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [Look honestly at yourself. Ask yourself if you are the person you always wanted to be. If you can see how you can become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/look-honestly-at-yourself-ask-yourself-if-you-are-the-person-you/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [ -- x û people say that you cant have ( everythinq ) but when I'm with you , I honestly \[ \* couldnt . ask . for . more \* \]ë x -- ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/x-u-people-say-that-you-cant-have-everythinq-but-when-i-m-with-you-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Honestly, it’s the most you can ask of men sometimes. They’re so wound up, so buried beneath layers of “boys don’t cry,” and “pussy,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lisa-unger/honestly-it-s-the-most-you-can-ask-of-men-sometimes-they-re-so-wound/) [Lisa Unger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lisa-unger/) > [The next time you catch yourself starting to feel bad about anything, immediately stop everything you are doing for a moment and, as simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-finley/the-next-time-you-catch-yourself-starting-to-feel-bad-about-anything/) [Guy Finley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guy-finley/) > [I think music is great at posing a question. It doesn't always have to give the answer, but it can open the dialogue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kano/i-think-music-is-great-at-posing-a-question-it-doesn-t-always-have-to/) [Kano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kano/) > [It's normally agreed that the question 'How are you?' doesn't put you on your oath to give a full or honest answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/it-s-normally-agreed-that-the-question-how-are-you-doesn-t-put-you-on/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [I ASK YOU A QUESTION, IT DOESN'T MATTER IF YOU ANSWER OR NOT, IF YOU WILL SAY THE TRUTH OR THE LIE, BECAUSE I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/no-voice/i-ask-you-a-question-it-doesn-t-matter-if-you-answer-or-not-if-you/) NO VOICE > [If the music is good, and if it makes sense as a strong structure and as a drama, and things happen as a result…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/missy-mazzoli/if-the-music-is-good-and-if-it-makes-sense-as-a-strong-structure-and/) [Missy Mazzoli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/missy-mazzoli/) > [If you are asking the wrong question, it doesn't matter how good the answer is, you aren't going to get where you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-wallis/if-you-are-asking-the-wrong-question-it-doesn-t-matter-how-good-the/) [Jim Wallis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-wallis/) > [The tragedy in our colleges and seminaries right now is that we turn men out who know the word of God. That is never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-ravenhill/the-tragedy-in-our-colleges-and-seminaries-right-now-is-that-we-turn/) [Leonard Ravenhill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-ravenhill/) > [“But this is what disturbs me: if there is no God, then, the question is, who is in control of man's life and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-bulgakov/but-this-is-what-disturbs-me-if-there-is-no-god-then-the-question-is/) [Mikhail Bulgakov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-bulgakov/) ## More by Joni Eareckson Tada > [“Joni discovered the best way to put the halter on her horse without being animal resisting and fleeing was to turn her back until…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/joni-discovered-the-best-way-to-put-the-halter-on-her-horse-without/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [When life is rosy, we may slide by with knowing about Jesus, with imitating him and quoting him and speaking of him. But only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/when-life-is-rosy-we-may-slide-by-with-knowing-about-jesus-with/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [If churches around the world would grasp the revolutionary truth that Christ's transforming power always comes through sacrifice and weakness, it would dramatically alter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/if-churches-around-the-world-would-grasp-the-revolutionary-truth-that/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/let-him-who-walks-in-the-dark-who-has-no-light-trust-in-the-name-of/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [What a way to learn great theology! That's what comes to mind whenever I sing one of those old hymns. "And Can It Be"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/what-a-way-to-learn-great-theology-that-s-what-comes-to-mind-whenever/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [A broken life in the hands of God is ripe for blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/a-broken-life-in-the-hands-of-god-is-ripe-for-blessing/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [The success of God's Word in our lives is linked intrinsically to our application of its truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/the-success-of-god-s-word-in-our-lives-is-linked-intrinsically-to-our/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [No other religion, no other, promises new bodies, hearts, and minds. Only in the gospel of Christ do hurting people find such incredible hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/no-other-religion-no-other-promises-new-bodies-hearts-and-minds-only/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [“The more righteous God appeared, the more resentful I became.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/the-more-righteous-god-appeared-the-more-resentful-i-became/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [“Tada references the accusation in Jeremiah that the people have forsaken God as Living Water by remembering a hiking trip from her younger days.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/tada-references-the-accusation-in-jeremiah-that-the-people-have/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [Thankfully, God brought wise Christian friends alongside to help me discover life-transforming precepts in his Word.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/thankfully-god-brought-wise-christian-friends-alongside-to-help-me/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [The Bible is replete with commands to persevere, especially in the face of injustice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/the-bible-is-replete-with-commands-to-persevere-especially-in-the/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [Many good Christians are confused about complex social issues of our day, such as doctor-assisted death or medical research which uses stem cells from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/many-good-christians-are-confused-about-complex-social-issues-of-our/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [The Bible isn't quick to give answers; it mainly gives the Answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/the-bible-isn-t-quick-to-give-answers-it-mainly-gives-the-answer/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) > [God is more concerned with conforming me to the likeness of His Son than leaving me in my comfort zones. God is more interested…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/god-is-more-concerned-with-conforming-me-to-the-likeness-of-his-son/) [Joni Eareckson Tada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) [Explore all 144 Joni Eareckson Tada quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/) ## More Answers quotes > [The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don't know nothing. I mean, that's my life lesson.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dwayne-johnson/the-one-thing-that-i-keep-learning-over-and-over-again-is-that-i-don/) [Dwayne Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dwayne-johnson/) > [Sometimes a question can hurt more than an answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-dessen/sometimes-a-question-can-hurt-more-than-an-answer/) [Sarah Dessen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-dessen/) > [You feed yourself. 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Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [“As long as you keep searching,the answers will come.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kynock/as-long-as-you-keep-searching-the-answers-will-come/) [Mitch Kynock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kynock/) > [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [A dialogue is very important. It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [There is a comfort in rituals, and rituals provide a framework for stability when you are trying to find answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-norville/there-is-a-comfort-in-rituals-and-rituals-provide-a-framework-for/) [Deborah Norville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-norville/) > [A religious person answers to God, not to the elected or non-elected official.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/a-religious-person-answers-to-god-not-to-the-elected-or-non-elected/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [Instead of asking a girl how she feels, try looking through her recently listened to songs. The lyrics are the answer to all your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-asking-a-girl-how-she-feels-try-looking-through-her/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For someone to ask 'Who did you play for' and to be able to answer a single name 'Liverpool' that would be brilliant...I don't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-carragher/for-someone-to-ask-who-did-you-play-for-and-to-be-able-to-answer-a/) [Jamie Carragher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-carragher/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) > [Enjoying life isn't about finding the answers, but living the questions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sue-margolis/enjoying-life-isn-t-about-finding-the-answers-but-living-the-questions/) [Sue Margolis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sue-margolis/) Browse all 7,843 Answers quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When we honestly ask God the 'why' question, He doesn't give us answers as much as He gives us Himself.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joni Eareckson Tada" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/when-we-honestly-ask-god-the-why-question-he-doesn-t-give-us-answers/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Answers" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/when-we-honestly-ask-god-the-why-question-he-doesn-t-give-us-answers/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/483/joni-eareckson-tada-2943_answers_when-we-honestly-ask-god-the-why-questio_2088198.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/483/joni-eareckson-tada-2943_answers_when-we-honestly-ask-god-the-why-questio_2088198.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/483/joni-eareckson-tada-2943_answers_when-we-honestly-ask-god-the-why-questio_2088198.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When we honestly ask God the 'why' question, He doesn't give us answers as much as He gives us Himself.” — Joni Eareckson Tada", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Joni Eareckson Tada", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-eareckson-tada/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When we honestly ask God the...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/when-we-honestly-ask-god-the-why-question-he-doesn-t-give-us-answers/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-eareckson-tada/when-we-honestly-ask-god-the-why-question-he-doesn-t-give-us-answers/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```