Some people believe that if God loves us, we won’t face difficulties or hardships. Is this true? We all have experienced situations where, through no fault of our own, we find ourselves in rough circumstances or even enduring a challenging season of life. None of us are strangers to such events. It seems unfair, and often, these situations can start to plant seeds of doubt in our minds, potentially weakening our faith.
However, I believe that the key to not only surviving but thriving through difficult situations is to focus on God rather than our circumstances. One of the hardest lessons to learn is to not gauge life through the situations we find ourselves in but by the One who is Lord over every situation. We need to remember that this world is not our home. Life sometimes does not make sense, but God has a plan.
Consider Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” This verse is often quoted for encouragement, but it’s important to understand it in context. Jeremiah wrote these words to the Israelites in exile, telling them their exile would last several decades. Despite the seemingly bad news, they were not to give up hope. God’s thinking and plans are vastly different from ours.
What may seem to us like the end of hope is actually an opportunity for God to demonstrate His plan for a real future. We must believe God has a plan for our lives to find hope even in apparently hopeless situations. Vision is the ability to see God’s power, presence, and plan despite the obstacles. God’s Word has much to say about living a life focused on Him rather than our circumstances.
Consider the story of Joseph in Genesis 37-50. Joseph’s life was full of unexpected turns and hardships, yet God was with him through it all. Joseph’s brothers hated him, sold him into slavery, and he was later falsely accused and imprisoned. Despite these severe trials, Joseph maintained his faith and integrity. Genesis 39:2 tells us, “The Lord was with Joseph.” This assurance of God’s presence enabled Joseph to trust God’s plan even when he couldn’t see it.
No matter what circumstances we face, God is with us. Jesus promises, “I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20b). We must trust that God is at work even in the darkest times. Romans 8:38-39 reassures us that nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. God’s ultimate will for our lives is to mold us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. We must trust He knows what He is doing, even when life’s path seems unclear.
God is at work, even in the darkness. Philippians 1:6 reminds us, “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Psalm 121:4-5 assures us that God neither slumbers nor sleeps; He is always our keeper. Like Joseph, knowing that God is with us gives us the confidence to trust God is at work, even when we cannot see it. Joseph later told his brothers, “What you meant for evil, God intended for good.” The roller coaster that was Joseph’s life eventually led him to the highest position in Egypt, under the pharaoh, and saved countless lives. We, like Joseph, can stay the course of faith when we, like him, focus on God, remembering His promises, for our Lord is good, and we have a future hope. Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!