By Michael Kelley

“What is God doing?” we cry out. We cry it out in pain, in difficulty, in frustration – seeking answers to our questions. It’s hard to see, isn’t it?

Our vision for the work of God is obscured by our pain, or our confusion, or the trouble of life. We believe God is at work, but for the life of us, we can’t figure out what He might be up to.

How do we respond in such times?

1. We should be very careful to make assumptions about what God MIGHT be doing. 

We have the tendency to look around us and make definite pronouncements of what the Lord is doing. We do so with the best of intentions. For example, we might walk through some difficult time. Maybe a prolonged illness or some financial difficulty. Then, at some point in the future, we are able to look and see the good that God brought out of that suffering. Perhaps He used that period to form in us a greater faith. Or perhaps He used it to bring a marriage back together. Or perhaps He used it to position us in another job or opportunity. We are able to look and see the real life example of Romans 8:28 – that God indeed does work all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

So we look and see this good God has wrought, and in an effort to give testimony about what He has done, we say something like, “At the time I didn’t understand why I was going through this, but now I see clearly what God was doing.” It’s a noble attempt, and it certainly has the right spirit behind it, but we should still be very careful in making pronouncements like that. 

Sure, we might be able to see some of the good God has brought from hardship. And sure, we might be able to see His redemptive hand at work in the midst of our trial. But isn’t it presumptuous – even arrogant – to ultimately say, in a definitive way, that we know the reason “why” God allowed what He did?

Who has known the mind of God? And who’s to say that God’s eternal reasons don’t stretch beyond our specific situation to others? Not one of us is able to do that. Be careful, then, in trying to explain what God MIGHT be doing, lest we put ourselves in the place of God Himself. That leads us to point number 2. 

2. While we should be very careful to make assumptions about what God MIGHT be doing, we should be very confident in what we KNOW God is doing. 

There are some things, no matter what is happening in our lives, that we absolutely, positively, 100% KNOW God is doing. 

True enough, we know that God’s thoughts are not out thoughts, and His ways are not our ways. Indeed, as high as the heavens are above the earth are His thoughts and ways higher than our own (Isaiah 55:8-9). 

When our desire for knowledge and revelation ram against the unapproachable wisdom and knowledge of God, where do we turn? The surest answer in those moments is to turn to His Word, where mercifully, God has already spoken. He has revealed something of His good intent and loving providence, enough so that through His Word we can generally answer our question.

So what do you KNOW God is doing, no matter what is happening? Well, a lot of things actually:

• God is making you more like Jesus: “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6). 

• God is working for your good: “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28).  

• He is bending all things for His glory: “I am Yahweh, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another or My praise to idols” (Is. 42:8).

The list could go on. And on. And on. Truth is, even in the midst of our uncertainty, there are many, many things that you KNOW God is doing. So when you find yourself crying out in frustration, confusion, and even pain, take it also as an opportunity. It’s an opportunity to speak to your soul and to trust in the God who, no matter what’s happening and no matter how difficult it is to accept, is making you more like Jesus, working for your good, and bending all things for His glory. 

Count on what you KNOW God is doing rather than speculate on what He MIGHT be doing.

Michael Kelley is a husband, father of three, author, and speaker from Nashville, TN. His latest book is a year-long family devotional guide called The Whole Story for the Whole Family. Find his personal blog at michaelkelley.co.