When I Can't See God's Ways
How many times have you been playing Wordle, Wheel of Fortune, or some other word puzzle game and you just can’t see the answer? You have some letters or clues, but no matter how long you stare at it, you can’t figure it out. You’re convinced there is no answer. It can’t possibly be a real word. You’re convinced you know English well, and the puzzle maker messed up or picked some obscure answer.
Then you either give up, use your guesses until you lose and are shown the answer, or maybe you ask a friend to look at it. Sometimes another set of eyes can solve it.
But the answer never changes. It was there the whole time, and you just couldn’t see it.
Sometimes life is like this. We feel stuck in our hard circumstances and don’t see a purpose or a way out. You might start out trusting that God has a good plan, but the longer you stare at your problem, the more you’re convinced the creator made a mistake. You’re so sure you’re smarter than this. It’s making you frustrated and feeling foolish.
How can we beat this puzzle? How can we get past our current struggles?
Invite someone else in.
Tell a friend what you’re going through. Process out loud together. Dig in the Word. Talk to your pastor. How do they view this from a step removed from the issue? Maybe they have some encouragement that you can’t come to on your own. Don’t let your pride keep you from an answer, relief, or life-giving, vulnerable relationship.
Analyze your expectations.
While Jesus was on earth, many Jews didn’t really see him because they were expecting the wrong thing. They thought the Messiah would be an earthly king. They thought someone would come to overthrow the Romans. They wanted a problem solver for their current situation.
Sure, he healed some people, fed a lot of people a few times, and was a nice guy, but the Jews were still mistreated and worried about their government. Unless you were the direct recipient of his miracles, it didn’t seem like this Jesus was doing anything for you. They didn’t understand what he was on earth to do for them and their eternities. They couldn’t see beyond their present.
Are you assuming something about God or your circumstances that is untrue? Do you expect only a good God to heal you fully, restore every relationship, or make your life easier, now?
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9
Remind yourself what is true.
Sometimes when I’m in a challenging season it seems that I just need to listen to more sermons or read more books on overcoming struggles, how to wait patiently, or finding joy in the midst of pain; but honestly, that kind of thinking can still bog me down. I can feel myself ruminating on the pit I’m in, focusing on my circumstances and expecting God to change them.
But what if I shifted my focus to Him? What do you know about the Creator of this puzzling life? Our expectations of what we think God should be do not change who he actually is. What is the constant?
“Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.” Isaiah 55:3, 6
Proclaim his character.
Make a list to remind yourself of who God says he is even when it doesn’t feel true to you or you just can’t see it. Start a journal of “Redemption Stories” to document his love and care in your life and those around you. Our memories can be so short.
He is faithful. Always. Now and in eternity.
He is good. Always. Now and in eternity.
He loves me. Always. Now and in eternity.
He will help me. Always. Now and in eternity.
Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon… As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow. This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.” Isaiah 55:7, 10-13
Let that ground you, knowing that there is a real, trustworthy answer one day. We might not have the eyes to see it right now, but it’s been put there by a good God who never changes.
“God is good.
God is good to me.
God is good at being God.”
-Lysa TerKeurst