August of 2017 was a hard month. That is when my dad passed away after battling Alzheimer’s. That disease tested our faith, tugged at our family bonds, and triggered hard questions.

In early September, we scheduled a cruise. I was looking forward to getting away from everything, relaxing, and returning refreshed. As soon as we stepped foot on that boat, we were notified of schedule changes due to a looming hurricane. Irma did impact our vacation by cutting our cruise short and stranding us for several extra days.

I tried very hard to stay positive and encourage my husband and kids, but I distinctly remember a moment when I looked up to the turbulent clouds, threw my hands up, and said, “Really, Lord?? You couldn’t give me this one little thing??”

You might be nodding right now, feeling my frustration, and agreeing with my outburst. But I can’t tell you how many times that memory has haunted me over the last couple of weeks as I studied Acts 16.

Paul and Silas were illegally seized, beaten, and thrown in prison. They were placed in the most secure part of the prison with their feet in stocks. They were sitting in a dirty room with open and bleeding wounds all over their backs, legs, and arms. I’m sure everything hurt.

They had been doing God’s work. They were imprisoned because Paul freed a slave girl from a demon. But when they were thrown in prison, they didn’t ask “Why, God?” Instead, they spent their time praying and singing praises to God for all the other prisoners to hear.

Acts shows us there was a purpose for their pain: the jailer and his whole family began their relationship with Christ that day.

I don’t know what you’re going through, and I don’t believe it is wrong to ask God why, but even if He doesn’t show you immediately, be encouraged by the fact that there is purpose for our pain.