Some people may be troubled by the notion of a single question having the power to transform their life. Think of a combination lock. It is capable of being programmed with many possible combinations, but only one works to open it right now.

Our Powerful Question will unlock God’s plan for us, as we can understand it right now, and it will evolve as the truth it contains unfolds.

When faced with a problem or dilemma, we may know the answer but still feel stuck and unable to act. Often what works is asking ourselves the question that breaks through barriers and allows us to see with new eyes.A

“Powerful Question” breaks through the biggest barrier of all, the narrative that we create to explain who and what we are. Crack that barrier and we begin to see ourselves as God does.

When we say our powerful question is embedded in our life story, it’s important to examine what that means. Life story includes all the realities that we experience: birthdays, graduations, first loves, losing a friend, getting a promotion, etc.. It also includes our narrative, the story we tell ourselves about those events and what they mean to, and about, us. These narratives are foundational to what we believe about ourselves and the world we live in. Some experiences cause wounds that may keep us stuck in various stages of loss, anger, or despair. Our powerful question is not about our wounds, it is about the person who suffered and survived, wounds and all.

What does it mean to say that our Powerful Question is “embedded” in our life story?

We like to think we know ourselves through our actions, thoughts and feelings, what we choose to do and what we choose not to do. Over time these form patterns that become themes we live by and expect to occur. By the time we reach adulthood most of us know ourselves at a level we consider “good enough.”

Within these themes however, is a question that reveals a deeper truth about ourselves. That question may have been repressed for any number of conscious and unconscious reasons, but also to help us avoid the state of “not knowing.”  We generally avoid things that create anxiety, and not knowing something at the core of who we are can do just that.

However we push it to the back of our awareness, that question, and that lack of knowing, is ever present “embedded” in all of our ways of being in the world.

First, I received my Powerful Question, then Coronavirus spread around the world. We were all affected ln some way.

My Powerful Question is: “What is the good ln suffering?”

I felt well-armed, ready to face this pandemic, living Into my question was a blessing; being the person who is the “silver lining, the Mr. Rogers – `Look for the helpers’ type.” I looked to my Powerful Question as a way of doing my part.

I pondered what is really important in Life. The things I worried about before seemed so small and in-consequential after Covid. priorities changed. I realized the preciousness of each day and the importance of friends and family. It is a gift to re-organize Life and set new priorities.

In this process of looking for the good, I have discovered something new about myself. Covid has been a personal challenge. I am stronger, more resilient, more capable than I realized. Because many of us have experienced great sorrow during this pandemic our capacity for the positive feelings of joy, love and gratitude are heightened.

Being really sad helps us to appreciate feeling good! The gift here is I have more feeling in the experience of Life and the gift of each new day. I have gained a capacity for greater faith. We don’t always ponder our existence. usually, during loss, we realize we are a part of something much larger.

I am open to a new spiritual view as a result of my Powerful Question, We can choose to believe there is an order and purpose to our life, even if we cannot understand it now. I open myself to the questions that can be answered — (what and how) -What am I to learn from this experience? How can I grow from the many losses?

Skills to suffer through loss are good skills to have for living. Real growth means enduring through the hard times instead of avoiding them. We learn the importance of loving those around us and learning patience with self and others.

There is also good in having a greater sense of compassion and connection to others. People drawn together in crisis often form a deep and lasting connection to each other. My Powerful Question has been so helpful to me and the people around me. Sure, there are some who are annoyed by people like me. The “Pollyanna” type (always optimistic) – some just want an outlet for their fear and anger.

My Powerful Question has prevented me from sliding down the slippery slope of despair. How can I help people go on?

• By extending the hand of sympathy and compassion.

• By finding the good

• By being generous and true

• By comforting those who can’t go on

It has taught me many things. It has required me to suffer, but it compelled me to reach.