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On Asking God Why: And Other Reflections on Trusting God in a Twisted World
God does many things we do not understand. When faced with suffering, sickness, death, and confusion, most people can ask only one why? Elisabeth Elliot, one of the outstanding women of present-day Christianity, knows too well this feeling of uncertainty. But she also knows that God will answer.
Now releasing with a fresh cover, On Asking God Why is a perceptive collection of Elisabeth Elliot's own meditations that confront the many issues we must deal with in our daily lives, from the ordinary occurrence of another birthday to serious topics like funerals, abortion, and divorce. With great insight and candor, Elliot reminds readers that we can overcome our fears when we decide to question God, because in Him we can find every answer we need.
Now releasing with a fresh cover, On Asking God Why is a perceptive collection of Elisabeth Elliot's own meditations that confront the many issues we must deal with in our daily lives, from the ordinary occurrence of another birthday to serious topics like funerals, abortion, and divorce. With great insight and candor, Elliot reminds readers that we can overcome our fears when we decide to question God, because in Him we can find every answer we need.
176 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1989
37 people are currently reading
967 people want to read
About the author
Elisabeth Elliot
178 books2,320 followersFrom the Author's Web Site: My parents were missionaries in Belgium where I was born. When I was a few months old, we came to the U.S. and lived in Germantown, not far from Philadelphia, where my father became an editor of the Sunday School Times. Some of my contemporaries may remember the publication which was used by hundreds of churches for their weekly unified Sunday School teaching materials.
Our family continued to live in Philadelphia and then in New Jersey until I left home to attend Wheaton College. By that time, the family had increased to four brothers and one sister. My studies in classical Greek would one day enable me to work in the area of unwritten languages to develop a form of writing.
A year after I went to Ecuador, Jim Elliot, whom I had met at Wheaton, also entered tribal areas with the Quichua Indians. In nineteen fifty three we were married in the city of Quito and continued our work together. Jim had always hoped to have the opportunity to enter the territory of an unreached tribe. The Aucas were in that category -- a fierce group whom no one had succeeded in meeting without being killed. After the discovery of their whereabouts, Jim and four other missionaries entered Auca territory. After a friendly contact with three of the tribe, they were speared to death.
Our daughter Valerie was 10 months old when Jim was killed. I continued working with the Quichua Indians when, through a remarkable providence, I met two Auca women who lived with me for one year. They were the key to my going in to live with the tribe that had killed the five missionaries. I remained there for two years.
After having worked for two years with the Aucas, I returned to the Quichua work and remained there until 1963 when Valerie and I returned to the U.S.
Since then, my life has been one of writing and speaking. It also included, in 1969, a marriage to Addison Leitch, professor of theology at Gordon Conwell Seminary in Massachusetts. He died in 1973. After his death I had two lodgers in my home. One of them married my daughter, the other one, Lars Gren, married me. Since then we have worked together.
Our family continued to live in Philadelphia and then in New Jersey until I left home to attend Wheaton College. By that time, the family had increased to four brothers and one sister. My studies in classical Greek would one day enable me to work in the area of unwritten languages to develop a form of writing.
A year after I went to Ecuador, Jim Elliot, whom I had met at Wheaton, also entered tribal areas with the Quichua Indians. In nineteen fifty three we were married in the city of Quito and continued our work together. Jim had always hoped to have the opportunity to enter the territory of an unreached tribe. The Aucas were in that category -- a fierce group whom no one had succeeded in meeting without being killed. After the discovery of their whereabouts, Jim and four other missionaries entered Auca territory. After a friendly contact with three of the tribe, they were speared to death.
Our daughter Valerie was 10 months old when Jim was killed. I continued working with the Quichua Indians when, through a remarkable providence, I met two Auca women who lived with me for one year. They were the key to my going in to live with the tribe that had killed the five missionaries. I remained there for two years.
After having worked for two years with the Aucas, I returned to the Quichua work and remained there until 1963 when Valerie and I returned to the U.S.
Since then, my life has been one of writing and speaking. It also included, in 1969, a marriage to Addison Leitch, professor of theology at Gordon Conwell Seminary in Massachusetts. He died in 1973. After his death I had two lodgers in my home. One of them married my daughter, the other one, Lars Gren, married me. Since then we have worked together.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
July 5, 2014
Note to self: There should always be an Elizabeth Elliot's book on my nightstand. Her words are always timely and encouraging. I am so grateful for her writings.
Chapters 4-7 might be my favorite ones. In those she writes about the blessing of getting old. Chapters 12 and 16 are also important; both deal with the -not easy- topic of judging others.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"A true faith must rest solidly on his character and his Word, not on our particular conception of what he ought to do."
"I prayed about several things for which I could not give thanks. But I gave thanks in the middle of each prayers because I was still sure that underneath are the everlasting arms."
"Prayer is the first thing -asking God to do what I can't do. The second thing is get busy and do what I can do."
"'Judge not that ye be not judged' has come to mean that if you never call anything sin, nobody can ever call you a sinner."
"I believe there are indeed some simple ones [answers], but they are not easy."
"Nearly always it is possible for most of us, with effort and planning and the will to do his will, to set aside time for God alone."
"Your present discontent is a mercy, affording opportunities to repent."
"We must quit bending the Word to suit our situation. It is we who must be bent to that Word, our necks that must bow under the yoke."
"Love is no pleasing sentiment but a fiery law; thou shalt love."
Chapters 4-7 might be my favorite ones. In those she writes about the blessing of getting old. Chapters 12 and 16 are also important; both deal with the -not easy- topic of judging others.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"A true faith must rest solidly on his character and his Word, not on our particular conception of what he ought to do."
"I prayed about several things for which I could not give thanks. But I gave thanks in the middle of each prayers because I was still sure that underneath are the everlasting arms."
"Prayer is the first thing -asking God to do what I can't do. The second thing is get busy and do what I can do."
"'Judge not that ye be not judged' has come to mean that if you never call anything sin, nobody can ever call you a sinner."
"I believe there are indeed some simple ones [answers], but they are not easy."
"Nearly always it is possible for most of us, with effort and planning and the will to do his will, to set aside time for God alone."
"Your present discontent is a mercy, affording opportunities to repent."
"We must quit bending the Word to suit our situation. It is we who must be bent to that Word, our necks that must bow under the yoke."
"Love is no pleasing sentiment but a fiery law; thou shalt love."
July 29, 2019
I am never disappointed in the writing of Elisabeth Elliot. I had planned to read parts of this to my elderly mom after she broke a second hip six months after her first hip fracture. However I ended up reading it to myself as it was a bit too complicated for a read aloud to my mom. Elliot’s practical, no nonsense, no excuses Christianity does not have all the answers, in fact some of her musings border on unsettling. But the sovereignty of God shines brightly forth illuminating His truths and our frailty. His Word and our shortfall. Over it all is His grace.
February 5, 2017
It's been years since I've read anything by Elisabeth Elliot and now I wonder "why"? She is such a deep, thought provoking, genuine, and hard hitting author. She loves the Lord Jesus and wants to seek Him and obey His word. This book is a hodge podge of reflections on trusting God in the midst of varying circumstances. I highly recommend any christian to read this, it is well worth the read.
November 23, 2022
Love the wisdom E. Elliot always shares. This was another fantastic book ❤️
October 20, 2023
3.5 stars
Elliot is one of my favorite Christian writers because of her clear-eyed, n0-nonsense approach to the cost of being a disciple of Christ. This book is a compilation of random essays, which were good, but since they were about so many disparate subjects, it was hard to immerse myself in their ideas. (Because of the title I was expecting a more cohesive treatise on suffering.) Still, it was a worthwhile read.
Elliot is one of my favorite Christian writers because of her clear-eyed, n0-nonsense approach to the cost of being a disciple of Christ. This book is a compilation of random essays, which were good, but since they were about so many disparate subjects, it was hard to immerse myself in their ideas. (Because of the title I was expecting a more cohesive treatise on suffering.) Still, it was a worthwhile read.
February 25, 2016
A collection of essays on trusting God and thinking through some of life's difficult issues and questions. Most chapters were full of wisdom and Elisabeth's no-nonsense encouragement, although there were a couple that felt more like filler - these I enjoyed less and might not read again.
My favorite quote from the book:
"The lesson is thus set for Christ's followers: If we believe that God is God, our faith is not a deduction from the facts around us. It is not an instinct. It is not inferred from the happy way things work. Faith is a gift from God, and we must respond to Him with a decision: The God of the universe has spoken, we believe what He says, and we will obey. We must make a decision that we will hold in the face of all opposition and apparent contradiction." (from "The Christian's Safety", pg 142)
My favorite quote from the book:
"The lesson is thus set for Christ's followers: If we believe that God is God, our faith is not a deduction from the facts around us. It is not an instinct. It is not inferred from the happy way things work. Faith is a gift from God, and we must respond to Him with a decision: The God of the universe has spoken, we believe what He says, and we will obey. We must make a decision that we will hold in the face of all opposition and apparent contradiction." (from "The Christian's Safety", pg 142)
August 12, 2024
I always enjoy my Elisabeth Elliot. Especially appreciated the idea of asking God why because “I seek the lessons God wants to teach me.” A “why” of humility and obedience (prominent themes in her work).
April 16, 2019
Elizabeth Elliot again challenges us to trust in our Sovereign God. This book contains 30 essays on loss, despair, abortion, divorce, loneliness, aging, forgiveness, and much more. The chapter "Two Marriageable People" had good thoughts on dating and relationships.
"In the Kingdom of God the alternatives are not boundless, not so long as we live in this mortal coil. You can't have it all. You are not there to do yourself a favor. You may not have it your way. You opted out of all that when you made up your mind to follow a Master who himself had relinquished all rights, all equality with the Father, and his own will as well."
"Until you accept God's estimate of the thing done, you will never seek his remedy. Your present discontent is a mercy, affording opportunity to repent. Any inkling you have that all is not well is the still, small voice calling you back to repentance, reconciliation, and restoration."
"I ask you gently and in the name of Christ, what do you really want? Is it Christ or happiness? Is it the will of the Father, or is it freedom from pain? Is it the Kingdom of Heaven or the kingdom of self?"
"As God had promised, his Word proved true. He instructed me. He kept me. He held me. He showed me all I NEEDED to know for life and godliness, although he did not unfold all I WANTED to know for understanding."
2019 - A book by or about a missionary
"In the Kingdom of God the alternatives are not boundless, not so long as we live in this mortal coil. You can't have it all. You are not there to do yourself a favor. You may not have it your way. You opted out of all that when you made up your mind to follow a Master who himself had relinquished all rights, all equality with the Father, and his own will as well."
"Until you accept God's estimate of the thing done, you will never seek his remedy. Your present discontent is a mercy, affording opportunity to repent. Any inkling you have that all is not well is the still, small voice calling you back to repentance, reconciliation, and restoration."
"I ask you gently and in the name of Christ, what do you really want? Is it Christ or happiness? Is it the will of the Father, or is it freedom from pain? Is it the Kingdom of Heaven or the kingdom of self?"
"As God had promised, his Word proved true. He instructed me. He kept me. He held me. He showed me all I NEEDED to know for life and godliness, although he did not unfold all I WANTED to know for understanding."
2019 - A book by or about a missionary
June 23, 2022
Per usual, Elisabeth Elliot’s words are timely and rich with wisdom from God’s Word. This book in particular ministered to me in a challenging time. She covers a wide range of topics of the human experience. One line that stood out was, “It’s self-death and eternal life, or it’s self-life and eternal death.” I am thankful for her tenacity and testimony of faith.
July 29, 2023
Definitely not quite what I was expecting (seemed more like musings on asking God why that covered a lot of topics and life experiences as opposed to straightforward answers) but still an enjoyable, interesting read.
May 29, 2020
I am just not an Elliot fan, so even though some chapters were straight-up wonderful, on the whole I didn't love this or get much from it.
March 24, 2023
Elisabeth Elliot is so straight forward, honest, and not afraid to address the hard questions of life. Some of these short chapters were written 40 years ago, yet their truths seemed timeless.
September 28, 2024
i love elisabeth elliott and reading this book in 2024 is so fascinating.
July 15, 2025
Not a fan of this one. There were a few good passages on suffering and particularly her own story of widowhood and loss, but the rest of the book was composed of very strongly worded opinions on controversial topics. Particularly did not appreciate her slams on Christian counseling. I realize that times have changed and even ways of communicating have changed since this book was written, so I’ll chalk it up to that.
July 29, 2024
Best book I have read so far this year. Elisabeth Elliot is a stabilizing, comforting, no-nonsense voice as one who is acquainted with grief and also acquainted with the God of all comfort.
December 16, 2021
I have been reading this off and on during my morning devotions...krb 11/30/21
June 3, 2020
This book wasn't what I was expecting it to be and therefore I found it a bit confusing to begin with. I thought that the book was going to communicate one cohesive thought throughout the 30 chapters. Which in some ways it did, but only in a very general sense.
About three chapters in, when I was really struggling to grasp and follow Elisabeth Elliot's thought process I realized that each chapter could be read individually and had no direct connections to the ones before and after it. After that things began to make a lot more sense!
Because each chapter was on a different topic and a different way that trusting God should show up practically, and daily in our lives there were some that were absolutely amazing, and convicting, relevant, etc. All the good stuff.
But, as to be expected not every chapter was that applicable to me at the present. Which is perfectly fine, but it's also why I didn't give it five stars. It was good for what it was, but it wasn't what I was expecting.
I must say that some of the best chapters were the ones on abortion (and that might be because I was also reading Unplanned by Abby Johnson Unplanned: The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader's Eye-Opening Journey Across the Life Line at the time as well), either way I enjoy those quite a bit and the chapter on "Two Marriageable People" was great too, as well as the second chapter of the book that I can't remember the name of, by Elisabeth Elliot's brother.
Also, I love the title. On Asking God Why
About three chapters in, when I was really struggling to grasp and follow Elisabeth Elliot's thought process I realized that each chapter could be read individually and had no direct connections to the ones before and after it. After that things began to make a lot more sense!
Because each chapter was on a different topic and a different way that trusting God should show up practically, and daily in our lives there were some that were absolutely amazing, and convicting, relevant, etc. All the good stuff.
But, as to be expected not every chapter was that applicable to me at the present. Which is perfectly fine, but it's also why I didn't give it five stars. It was good for what it was, but it wasn't what I was expecting.
I must say that some of the best chapters were the ones on abortion (and that might be because I was also reading Unplanned by Abby Johnson Unplanned: The Dramatic True Story of a Former Planned Parenthood Leader's Eye-Opening Journey Across the Life Line at the time as well), either way I enjoy those quite a bit and the chapter on "Two Marriageable People" was great too, as well as the second chapter of the book that I can't remember the name of, by Elisabeth Elliot's brother.
Also, I love the title. On Asking God Why
April 28, 2023
A collection of EE’s thoughts, powerful testimony from her own life, commentary on culture and society, and deep theological truths.
Because this book covers such a wide array of topics, I suggest approaching it as a collection of essay-type writings instead of a comprehensive book with a singular purpose. Take each chapter as a separate teaching, and not in connection to each other.
As an audiobook, the narrator did a very skilled job - especially during the more narrative and memory retelling sections.
Because this book covers such a wide array of topics, I suggest approaching it as a collection of essay-type writings instead of a comprehensive book with a singular purpose. Take each chapter as a separate teaching, and not in connection to each other.
As an audiobook, the narrator did a very skilled job - especially during the more narrative and memory retelling sections.
August 30, 2012
Felt as though I got a real glimpse into the heart & mind of Elisabeth Elliot after reading this book. She really dug deep & laid out her thoughts & opinions on some very important life issues. I developed such an admiration & respect for her after reading this book & she isn't afraid to show weakness either which helped me identify with her all the more. An easy book to read & would highly recommend it!
December 23, 2016
I didn't realized when I picked this up that it's just an updated edition of Trusting God in a Twisted World (I guess the subtitle didn't give it away...?). In any case, I was glad for the refresher. The read seemed a bit uneven this time around; perhaps because the essays, while working well thematically, are not tonally consistent.
April 6, 2018
Since this book consisted of a collection of writings, it is hard to rate. Some of the pieces I would rate higher, as fives, and others just threes, so I just chose a middle rating of four as an average.
January 12, 2024
An incredible book. One I needed to read and didn’t realize how much until I’d finished. Elisabeth Elliot lays out solid, practical biblical application in a simple, easy to digest way. Short chapters packed with much truth and wisdom.
July 24, 2008
I love Elisabeth Elliot's books! She always brings such a godly perspective to the situations we face in life.
December 27, 2013
The first few essays are amazing. Read those & skip the rest.
May 21, 2015
Elisabeth Elliot is always challenging. I like the length and focus of these short pieces. Her husbands addition is especially poignant and well written.
March 21, 2014
Not as good as her other works...basically a bunch of essays/observations/thoughts/opinions on random topics...
May 1, 2022
“For x number of days, their experience was of defeat. For us, alas, the x number of days may be greatly multiplied… Is it not the case with the Whole Story — that it must be allowed to finish, and that this is precisely what the faithful have been watching for since the beginning of time?… And is not that Finish called glorious? Does it not entail what amounts to a redoing of all that has gone wrong, and a remaking of all that is ruined, and a finding of all that has been lost in the shuffle, and an unfolding of it all in a blaze of joy and splendor? A finding of all that is lost? All sparrows, and all petitions and tears and vigils and fastings?… Don’t speak of things being lost. Say rather that they are hidden — received and accepted and taken up into the secrets of the divine mysteries, to be transformed and multiplied, like everything else we offer to him.”
December 14, 2024
not what i have become accustomed to from this author.
I have been aware of miss elliot for nearly forty years. I have never been disappointed by anything she had written until now. Not sure what the point of this book is although i thought it was supposed to be about asking God why. Did not read much of that going on. The title of the book led me to believe that she would discuss at great length the topic of " asking God why" in the true honest and in-depth elisabeth elliot style that I have come to love and appreciate over the years. It did not happen. Maybe I missed it.(?)
I have been aware of miss elliot for nearly forty years. I have never been disappointed by anything she had written until now. Not sure what the point of this book is although i thought it was supposed to be about asking God why. Did not read much of that going on. The title of the book led me to believe that she would discuss at great length the topic of " asking God why" in the true honest and in-depth elisabeth elliot style that I have come to love and appreciate over the years. It did not happen. Maybe I missed it.(?)
January 15, 2025
I feel conflicted. The beginning writings that touch on the title topic were insightful and helpful. There was a solid middle 1/3 that devolved into a smattering of disconnected opion pieces/ jounral entries that did little to expand on objective of the book. We got lost in a little too judgy sounding social/ political issue rants. The last chapters finished stong with her detailed description of loosing her husband and returning to the place he died with the very people that had killed him. Very moving. Really the beginning and end are 5 stars, the middle 1.5 stars.
February 3, 2025
Not at all written in the structure you would expect with a title like this. But exactly how Elisabeth always answers theological questions, with truths from scripture. She doesn’t just answer “why ___” and “why ____” but consistently points back to the heart of your desires to ask why and points you to the gospel of Christ again and again through scripture. Her style of being blunt always leads me to contemplate more on the truths she shares in the presence of Christ. Such a wonderful book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews