by Anna Haiar
Finding God’s Presence in Unwanted Places
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5, English Standard Version
There are seasons of life that feel like a gift: new opportunities, answered prayers, and joyful celebrations. We welcome those moments with open arms.
And then there are the other seasons. The ones we never would have chosen for ourselves: the diagnosis, the loss, the disappointment, or the broken relationship. Uncertainty hangs over our heads every day like a cloud. We may find ourselves standing alone, wondering how on earth we got here.
If we’re honest, our first reaction is often resistance. We don’t want this story. We don’t want this chapter. We want God to change the circumstances, fix the problem, or open a different door. But what if faith isn’t just trusting God when life makes sense? What if faith is trusting Him when it doesn’t?
Throughout Scripture, God repeatedly called His people into places they never wanted to go. Joseph found himself in prison. Moses stood before Pharaoh feeling inadequate. Elijah hid in exhaustion. Even Jesus walked the road to the cross, praying in Gethsemane, fully aware of the suffering ahead. None of them would have chosen those circumstances. Yet God was present in every one of them.
That’s the promise we cling to today. Not that God will always remove the hard thing. Not that He will explain every detail. Not that we’ll understand why certain roads become part of our journey, but the promise is that He will not leave us there alone.
Sometimes courage looks less like conquering a mountain and more like getting out of bed, saying a prayer through tears, and taking the next faithful step. Sometimes strength is simply whispering, “Lord, I don’t like this, but I trust You.” God is not waiting for us at the end of the trial. He is walking with us through it.
If you find yourself in a place you never wanted to be, know this: God’s faithfulness is not dependent on your circumstances. His presence remains. His promises remain. And His grace is still enough for whatever today holds.
Copyright Family of Christ Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado.
