Trusting God When Life Doesn't Go According to Plan

Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.

Summary Trusting God is not believing that everything happens for a reason. It is believing that God's love never leaves us, even when life doesn't make sense.

Dear Friends in Christ,

Yesterday, Ary gave me quite a day.

Ary is my dog for those who have not met her. She had gotten into some chocolate. It wasn't enough to cause permanent harm, but it was enough to fill her with an unbelievable amount of energy. She bounced from room to room, couldn't settle down, and kept finding new ways to create chaos. Thankfully, she recovered just fine. I, however, was exhausted. If I'm being honest, there were moments when I simply wanted to get away from her.

It made me think about how often I respond to life's frustrations in the same way. When things don't go as planned, my first instinct is sometimes to escape the problem. I want the situation to be over so life can get back to normal.

Many of us think trusting God means believing everything will work out the way we hope. When life falls apart, we wonder if God has abandoned us or if God planned the hardship for some hidden purpose.

I don't believe Scripture asks us to trust God that way.

Throughout the Bible, we meet people whose lives are filled with uncertainty, grief, injustice, and unanswered questions. They are not told that every tragedy was designed by God. Instead, they discover that God remains faithful in the middle of it all.

I believe there is a difference between what God desires and what God works with. Our world includes genuine freedom, the realities of nature, and the consequences of human choices. God does not promise to prevent every hardship. God promises something even greater. God promises to be with us and to keep bringing healing, hope, and redemption wherever brokenness is found.

That is why I trust God. Not because I understand everything that happens, but because I know the character of the One who walks beside us. In Jesus, we see a God who heals, restores, forgives, and never abandons people in their pain.

Life will not always go according to plan. But God's love never changes, and that is enough to keep taking the next faithful step.

May you know God is for your good,

Pastor Anny+

Prayer Loving God, help me to trust your presence when life is uncertain and your love when I cannot see the way forward. Give me the courage to take the next faithful step, knowing you walk beside me. Amen.