God Knows What He’S Doing: Finding Meaning And Purpose Through Faith
Have you ever felt lost or questioned why certain events happen in your life? It’s normal to search for answers, especially during difficult times. This article explores how having faith that God has a plan can help us find meaning and purpose even when things don’t make sense right now.
If you’re short on time, here’s the key idea: While we may not always understand the reasons behind the events in our lives, having faith that God knows what He’s doing can give us strength, hope and reassurance that everything happens for a purpose within His greater plan for each of our lives.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deeper into questions around God’s will, finding meaning in suffering, dealing with doubt, and ultimately how cultivating a close relationship with God helps unlock lasting joy and peace.
Understanding God’s Will and Plan for Our Lives
God Works on a Grand Scale We Cannot Always Grasp
As humans with limited perspectives, it can be challenging to comprehend the big picture of God’s will and plan. We want concrete answers and clear direction, but God often works in complex, mysterious ways that are beyond our understanding.
Yet we can find peace in knowing that God sees and knows all. As it says in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Rather than relying on our own wisdom, we must trust in God’s greater wisdom and sovereignty over human affairs.
Leaning on God When We Face Trials and Suffering
During difficult times of adversity, we may wonder why a good God allows trials and suffering. However, God can bring meaning even out of our most painful experiences if we lean on Him. As Romans 8:28 assures us, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
God never promised us a life free of sorrow and tribulation, but He does promise to be with us through it all. By clinging to God during suffering, we allow our faith to be refined and draw nearer to Him.
Letting Go of Control and Trusting in God’s Timing
It can be frustrating when God’s timing does not match our own. We pray earnestly for guidance, healing, provision or resolution, but God seems silent. Yet His delays are not denials. As Ecclesiastes 3:11 tells us, “God has made everything beautiful in its time.”
Rather than striving to control life’s circumstances, we can find peace by releasing our grip and trusting in God’s perfect timing. He sees the full picture and is able to accomplish His purposes in His way and on His schedule. When we let go and have faith, we make room for God to move powerfully.
Finding Meaning and Purpose in Difficult Seasons
Life is filled with ups and downs. There are times when everything seems to be going well, and other seasons when we face deep pain, loss, or challenges. As people of faith, how can we find meaning and purpose during difficulties?
Seeing Personal Growth Amidst Pain
It’s hard when we’re in the midst of suffering to see how anything good can come from it. But with time and perspective, we often realize that difficult seasons led to profound growth in our character. Hardships stretch our capacity for empathy. Trials force us to rely more fully on God.
Pain deepens our faith and helps us better understand the sufferings of others.
God never promised us an easy life without troubles. But He does promise to be with us through every storm (Isaiah 43:2). And He assures us that, for those who love Him, all things – even life’s hardest trials – will work together for good in conforming us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-29).
Understanding God Uses Hardship to Develop Christlike Character
The Bible makes it clear that God often allows times of testing to strengthen our faith and refine our character. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance” (James 1:2-4).
God uses difficulties to chip away our rough edges, prune our unhealthy dependencies, and cultivate Christlike virtues like patience, humility, endurance, and compassion.
Walking through the fire is painful in the moment. But the Leader who guides our way promises not to waste our pain. Our trials have a redemptive purpose when we entrust ourselves to God’s faithful hands. As we cling to Him through the storms of life, He sustains us and forms His image within us.
Recognizing God’s Sovereignty in Every Situation
God is all-powerful, all-knowing, and ever-present. As difficult as it is during hard times, we can find comfort and meaning by remembering that nothing takes God by surprise and nothing happens in our lives without first passing through His sovereign hands (Job 23:10, Romans 8:28).
Even when circumstances seem senseless and random, we can trust that God is actively working to redeem every situation for our growth and His glory. We may not understand all His ways, but we know His heart is good and His plans are perfect (Isaiah 55:8-9).
By surrendering our need for control and acknowledging God’s supreme authority, we access a life-giving peace and meaning that the world cannot provide.
In this broken world we will have troubles, but Jesus urges us to “take heart” because He has “overcome the world” (John 16:33). As we walk in faith through trials, God promises to equip us for every hardship and use our difficulties for good – shaping our character, deepening our trust, and bringing redemption out of life’s pain.
Overcoming Doubt Through an Intimate Relationship With God
Praying and Reading Scripture Regularly
Cultivating an intimate relationship with God through regular prayer and Bible reading is key to overcoming doubt. When we constantly communicate with God, we are reminded of His faithfulness and promises, which gives us confidence to press on amidst uncertainty.
Recent surveys by the Pew Research Center show that over 55% of prayed adults in the U.S. say prayer brings them a great deal of comfort.
Setting aside quiet time each day to talk to God and meditate on scripture allows the Holy Spirit to minister to our hearts and renew our minds (Romans 12:2). As we read encouraging verses about God’s sovereignty, love, and purpose for our lives, our perspective shifts from doubt to faith.
For example, reflecting on God’s reassuring words in Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you” – inspires confidence that He is in control even when things seem uncertain.
Relying on the Holy Spirit’s Guidance and Discernment
In a world filled with misinformation and confusing ideas, followers of Christ can turn to the Holy Spirit for guidance and discernment. The Spirit reveals biblical truth and helps us understand God’s will in every situation (John 16:13).
When plagued by doubt, we can ask the Spirit to open our spiritual eyes and make God’s perspective clear. As we learn to listen to the Spirit’s voice through prayer and scripture meditation, hearing from God becomes more natural.
We can even experience supernatural peace and boldness in the face of uncertainty, just as Jesus promised (John 14:27). Staying sensitive to the Spirit enables us to walk by faith rather than sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Finding Reassurance in God’s Faithfulness Throughout History
Doubt often stems from feeling like our situations are out of control. But reflecting on examples of God’s faithfulness throughout history can profoundly impact our perspective. As it is written in Deuteronomy 7:9, the Lord keeps His covenants to a thousand generations of those who love Him.
From the Old Testament accounts of miraculous victories, supernatural provision, and protection of His people, to Jesus’ resurrection and the birth of the Church, God has displayed His unwavering commitment over and over.
And He assures us of His continuous presence “even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20). As we reflect on the Lord’s track record, we can stand firm in the confidence that He will be faithful to us as well.
Cultivating Lasting Joy and Peace Through Closeness With God
Entrusting Every Worry and Concern to God in Prayer
In our fast-paced world filled with anxieties and troubles, it can be challenging to experience true and lasting joy and peace. One powerful way to find calm in the chaos is by developing a close relationship with God through prayer.
When we bring our worries and concerns to God in prayer, we demonstrate faith and trust in His perfect plan. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Through prayer, we can surrender our fears and burdens to the One who cares deeply for us (1 Peter 5:7). We can receive the supernatural peace of God when we give Him our problems and praise Him, even when circumstances seem bleak.
As we make prayer a lifestyle and consistently give God our cares, His peace and joy start to permeate every area of our lives in remarkable ways.
Praising God as an Act of Faith in All Circumstances
Praising God is a powerful way to cultivate lasting joy and peace, even in the midst of trials and suffering. Though counterintuitive, intentionally giving thanks and praise to God during hard times is an act of faith that brings breakthrough.
The apostle Paul writes in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
When we choose to worship God and focus on His faithfulness despite our circumstances, the joy of the Lord becomes our strength (Nehemiah 8:10). Our perspective shifts from the problem to the promise-giver.
We align our minds with truth – the truth that our good God is still on the throne and working all things for our benefit when we love Him (Romans 8:28). As we lift our hallelujahs, our faith rises and peace floods our souls.
We are transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2) through praise.
Serving Others Out of Love and Gratitude
Serving others is another powerful way to experience profound and lasting joy. When we serve out of love for God and others, our focus shifts from ourselves onto how we can be a blessing. Lifting the burdens of others through acts of service fills our hearts with joy and purpose (Proverbs 12:25).
We reflect the heart of Jesus, who came to serve not to be served (Mark 10:45).
According to science, serving others increases happiness and health(https://www.webmd.com/balance/features/serving-others-serves-you) by lowering stress hormones, elevating mood, and even boosting lifespan. As Christ-followers, we serve out of gratitude for God’s mercy and compassion.
We serve in response to Jesus’ love in our lives. We serve because we have freely received and freely want to give (Matthew 10:8). As we serve others through small and big acts of kindness, we begin to experience unspeakable joy.
Conclusion
While we may not understand all of God’s plans as they unfold, we can find comfort, meaning and purpose when we trust He knows what He’s doing. By cultivating intimacy with God, leaning on Him during trials, releasing control to His timing, and serving others, we can experience deep and lasting joy, peace and hope despite life’s unpredictability.
What areas of your life do you need to surrender to God today? How might leaning on Him more bring you clarity, calm and reassurance? May you be encouraged that you have a compassionate God who wants an intimate friendship with you as you walk through this life hand-in-hand with Him.
