Dumb Questions

This is a daily devotional that I receive and thought this one worth sharing.


Daily Devotional /By Melinda Clements / Perceptions Ministry
© Melinda Clements / August 2009 / Perceptions Ministry /All Rights Reserved For reprint information contact melindaclements@melindaclements.com
Dumb Questions

There is an old Chinese proverb that says, "He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes. He who does not ask a question remains a fool forever." There are no dumb questions. The only questions that are dumb are those you never asked.

How many times have we wondered or questioned the way things were and we just stayed quiet and stewed over? Perhaps it is because we are shy or maybe it is because we don't want to appear stupid. Sometimes I have questions even after I have heard the same thing over and over. I guess I'm the kind of person that needs to have a picture drawn in order to truly grasp the situation.

Sometimes I question God. Sometimes I argue with him. Many times I fuss at him to vent my frustration and my fears. The good thing is he lets me rant and rave and fuss and discuss and he waits until I'm spent and then he wants to know if I feel better. Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't.

I always have 20/20 hindsight. I can look back and see how I screwed up or how I hurt someone and I can see how I could have done things differently. I may have been talking when I should have been listening and for whatever reason I missed the concept.

My two children were very different. My daughter always had questions. She wanted to know why and the reasons behind the why. She never minded doing whatever I asked but she wanted to understand the philosophy behind the request. For my son it was pretty much okay and he would do whatever. He didn't care about the reasons why. All of us think about the reasons why. All of us get to the point where we question what is happening and why. All of stew over new concepts but will not ask the questions that will make it clearer and easier to grasp.

God always asks us to step out in faith. That means we rarely know the reasons why or the pertinence of the situation. Dumb questions are those we don't voice, either to ourselves, to others or to God. We can always question God but he reveals things to us in his time alone.

If you have a strong personal relationship with Jesus you will always be wondering why things happen. He will only let you in on the issue when the time is right for you.

I encourage my students to ask questions and seek help for those things they don't understand. God in all his wisdom answers all our questions in due time. Sometimes God says no to our prayers and requests. Sometimes we don't really need to know the answers or reasons. He will reveal to us what will be best for us in the bigger picture. That is what is referred to as "operating in blind faith." Scripture tells us, "faith is believing in things unseen" (Heb. 11:1). Faith is confidence in the reality of the spiritual things of God. If your relationship with God is strong you can question him about anything. That is what "personal" means.

I ask God dumb questions all the time and not once has he boomed at me and said, "Melinda, that is about a stupid question! Where did you come up with that one?" More times than not, with his promptings, I end up answering my own questions. Sometimes I've known the answer all along but just didn't want to admit it. I need God to reassure and nurture me. God is our father and teacher and he encourages wisdom, learning and understanding. He encourages discussion and debate. He encourages stimulating thought processes that result in a bigger and clearer picture. He wants us to grow in grace. Our ability to questions says a lot about our faith and our relationship with the Savior.

Dumb Questions are those that never come out for whatever reason. We can't learn if we don't ask. We can't grow if we squelch the very things that make us wiser. God wants to hear from you. Do that by prayer. Talk to him, discuss with him, learn from him and share him with others. That gives you a very valid and believable witnessing tool.

Remember he loves you and wants what is best for you. You are his work in progress and always remember, "God don't make no junk!"

Be Blessed This Day!

Melinda Clements


To Those who believe in God no explanation is necessary; to those who do not, no explanation is possible!

May you always fly with eagles, may you always run with wolves and walk the path of the buffalo; most of all may you always be my brothers and sisters in Christ.