“If I had an hour to solve a problem and my life depended on the solution, I would spend the first 55 minutes determining the proper question to ask, for once I know the proper question, I could solve the problem in less than five minutes.” ~ Einstein

Questions are one of the most powerful tools we have. You only learn when you ASK QUESTIONS. God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth for a reason to listen twice as much as we talk. The wise ask more questions than they answer.

Proverbs 18:2(ESV)

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

Kids are great at asking questions. I read the following questions from real kids that I thought were great…

• “In the olden days was everything black and white?”
• “What did it feel like on your last day of being a child?”
• During Swimming Lessons: “When do we learn how to breathe underwater?”
• Daughter to Mom: “Mum, why’s your tummy big?” Mum: “That’s because I’m expecting a baby.” Daughter: “Where’s the baby?” Mum: “Inside my tummy!” Daughter: (Looking totally shocked) “OMG you ate the baby?”
• “Where does the light go when you turn it off?”
• “Why can’t I see my eyes?”
• After a mom delivered a baby the brother said: “Can we put her back? I want a brother!”
• Riding a crowded bus: “MOM! WHY does that man have a circle of skin in the middle of his hair?”

Questions are a great thing. In fact, we need to ask questions all the time. It is what keeps us learning and moving forward in life. So here are 3 thoughts about questions…

1) It’s OK To Question God

God is not scared of offended by questions. Not by challenging Him, but by seeking Him. Jesus questioned God the Father…

Mark 13:34 (NIV)

And at three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”)

God loves questions because He knows you can’t ask questions without going on a quest. Questions get us in a place of humility.

Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Never stop asking. When you stop asking you stop seeking. Walt Disney said, “We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we’re curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths.”

2) Be Willing To Act

God will answer you when you’re willing to accept it. If you have predetermined the answer before opening up you aren’t asking you are telling in the form of a question. We have to be humble and open to God’s direction.

James 1:5-8 (NIV)

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.  But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

God knows in intent of the heart before you ask. Our motives must be pure and honoring to God. We must arrive at a place of willingness in order for our ears to hear the truth of God for our lives.

3) Jesus Is Always The Answer 

Theologian Karl Barth said, “Jesus is the answer, now what’s the question?” I love that. Jesus is and has the answers for everything. We may not find them all out immediately, but He will reveal them as needed. If you knew everything all at once you wouldn’t be able to handle it anyway. It is step by step that God progressively reveals His plans. But rest assured that He is always the answer.

John 14:6 (NIV)

Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

No matter what happens in life Jesus is the answer. Everything you’ll need you find only in Him. The first questions we should ever ask need to be directed towards God. Keep seeking and never stop even when it feels you are not getting an answer. There is a reason there is no answer…it is because the answer is not yet ready to be revealed. Keep your head up…hope is on the way.