Life can change in an instant. One phone call, one diagnosis, one unexpected loss, or one unanswered prayer can leave us wondering where God is. In those moments, it’s easy to question why suffering exists at all. We search for answers, but often, they don’t come when we want them.
The truth is, the Bible never promises a life free from hardship. Jesus told His disciples, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33 ESV). Those words can feel sobering, especially when we’re already carrying more than we think we can bear.
Throughout Scripture, we find people who knew suffering well. Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers and sold into slavery. Ruth lost her husband and faced an uncertain future. David spent years fleeing for his life. Paul endured imprisonment, persecution, beatings, and countless hardships because of his faith.
Like us, they likely wrestled with questions. They experienced grief, disappointment, fear, and uncertainty. Their stories remind us that walking with God has never meant avoiding pain. Faith has never guaranteed an easy road.
Perhaps you’ve found yourself in a season like that. Maybe you’ve prayed for healing that hasn’t come. Maybe you’re grieving someone you love, facing financial uncertainty, struggling with anxiety, or simply wondering why God seems silent. When life doesn’t make sense, it’s natural to ask, “Where are You, Lord?”
Yet even when we cannot see Him working, God has not stopped working.
Looking back at the stories throughout Scripture, we’re able to see something that the characters in the stories couldn’t see at the time: God was weaving together a greater story. Joseph’s suffering positioned him to save countless lives. Ruth’s faithfulness placed her in the family line of Jesus. Paul’s imprisonment produced letters that continue to encourage believers around the world today.
The same God who was present in their darkest moments is present in ours.
Our hope isn’t that life will always make sense or that every trial will end the way we expect. Our hope is found in the unchanging character of God. Scripture reminds us that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1 ESV). Even when we cannot trace His hand, we can trust His character.
Paul wrote, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28 ESV). That doesn’t mean every circumstance is good. It means no circumstance is beyond God’s ability to redeem.
Often, the greatest miracle isn’t that God removes our hardship but that He faithfully carries us through it. His grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV). Along the way, He shapes our faith, deepens our dependence on Him, and often uses our story to bring hope to someone else. As Paul writes, God “comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction” (2 Corinthians 1:3–4 ESV).
If you’re walking through a difficult season today, know this: your story is not over. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18 ESV), His steadfast love never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22–23 ESV), and the same God who carried Joseph, Ruth, David, and Paul is carrying you.
One day you may look back and see how God was working in ways you never imagined. Until then, hold fast to Him. He is faithful, even when life is hard.
Keeping Faith When It Hurts
When hope feels distant, where do you turn?
In Keeping Faith When Life Hurts, Joni Eareckson Tada offers gentle, biblical encouragement for weary hearts. Drawing from decades of personal suffering and steadfast trust in God’s Word, Joni walks with you through the maze of life’s hardest seasons, pointing you to Christ’s sufficiency.
Each daily devotion includes a Scripture, a heartfelt reflection, and a brief prayer—helping you rest in God’s promises one day at a time. A meaningful gift for anyone facing a trial that feels insurmountable.