This week’s Truth Keepers for Truth Seekers column is about the importance of asking questions, as it creates thinking and good questions lead to more questions.
Should we go through life asking questions constantly? Or just take things in and choose what answers to some of the questions already asked?
One of the reasons I started this column and named it as it is, was to stir up questions so the readers of these columns would find some answers or be on a path where they would look for answers. After 68 articles, you should have been able to find some answers.
I think asking questions is a smart thing to do.
Here in this State, asking questions is called “clearing your doubts” although that is a bit of a misleading term. Because the real meaning of doubt is hesitation, reservation, misgiving, uncertainty in the sense of: a feeling of uncertainty or lack of conviction (because you are not sure how to handle the situation). It has more to do with how you will act or react to a circumstance because of the doubt in your mind.
A question though is an utterance which serves as a request for information.
In which area?
Academically: We can ask questions and get the answers we need. On a side note, unless it comes to mathematical problems, in any other subject, do some research as you might get a few answers to the same question. And you might be surprised how contradictory some so called facts are in one book compared to another book, written years back or by another author. Why? Because overtime, more data gets released since more and more people did the research but might have gotten different solutions and answers.
Medically, you can ask questions and you should. The doctor in front of you has studied, has knowledge but he is not “god”. You are submitting your life into their hands in a way. However, that does not mean you do not have a choice regarding the procedure, medical route, tests, eventual procedure over or in your body. You do. It is your body for which you are responsible. Ask why certain procedures, tests, medicines etc. are needed and what the effect will be. If you are a believer, ask God for wisdom. And the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As well as common sense. If you are not a believer, use common sense, do your research and ask questions. Taking things at face value and not understanding what is going on with your body, thus going blindly at whatever they prescribe or tell you to do, is not smart. It can lead to results you knew could have been avoided. Thank God for doctors though who have the interest of the people in mind and saved many lives.
Politically or government wise, you can ask questions and vote for the one that stands for truth, integrity and the common good of all. What would you do were you in their position?
Educationally, especially when you have children, look for the school and ask lots of questions before enrolling them. They will be in that environment for a long time so it better be the best one for your child where you can trust them with your most precious possession, your children.
Business wise, it is good to ask yourself why you would even want to start that business; why to be involved with a business or why to buy that article or good from that business. You can gain or lose a lot of money by not asking yourself those questions or not asking others for advice.
When it comes to MEDIA, you can blindly scroll or watch any programme coming on, or ask yourself if you need that particular information and if you need it right then. Time is the most expensive and precious commodity and spending endless hours scrolling through your Instagram, YouTube channels, X account (formerly Twitter), Netflix and so on, or just flipping on the TV and let it blare through your house 24/7 will most likely make you a somewhat confused personality. If you state you are not addicted to your phone or social media, give your phone 24 hours to a close friend or your spouse, and watch the withdrawal symptoms crop up. Learn to discipline yourself in this area, ask the right questions of why to watch it and if you should even have certain apps (Instagram? Face book? – Can you live without them?)
When it comes to family, ask yourself if you are spending enough quality time with your immediate and even close family or if you spend more time on your phone (even at the dining table while eating together!). Do you really know them or have you just become a group of people living in the same house?
What about arts and entertainment? This refers to a broad category of human creative and imaginative activities that provide amusement and enjoyment, including visual arts, performing arts, music, film, literature, and more. Whether you are the producer of it or the consumer, you are what you watch and that what you watch most. But here too, you are the one choosing and especially when it comes to children, you should be the boss of what they can and should watch. Not the other way around.
Lastly but not least, religion.
Can we ask questions about God? Certainly. If He is really God, he can stand some questions.
And is not afraid to answer you. Just because you ask a question about God, the Bible or Biblical experiences, that does not mean you touched something so sacred, that it makes you a “questionable person”.
Questions create thinking. Good questions lead to more questions. But clarity about at least some area in your life will begin to surface.
Regarding questions about God, the spirit realm, angels, demons what life is all about, where we came from, what we are doing on this planet and where we are going, start asking yourself that.
The handbook for that and the answers for that are only found in the Bible.
When you have finished one question, make a decision regarding it, follow your conviction in that, and stop wavering.
If you are still not sure about the answer, just ask another question.
Ask too though why you are asking that question.
One final note, the reason for questions is to settle at answers that give us the peace we are looking for regarding that area we have a question about and gets us going in the right direction.
So dear readers, even if uncomfortable, learn to ask questions. Which can avoid unwanted situations in your life, clear up uncertainties, make you go in the right direction, give you the right circle of friends and give you the peace you are looking for.
Dare to ask questions.
Shalom!
Blessings
Akhrienuo