Trusting God in the Trials of Life: Part 2 – When God’s Will Is Different from Our Own
One of the hardest lessons for any believer is reconciling our desires with God’s sovereign plan, especially when His will differs from our own. Disappointment and loss are part of living in a fallen world, yet they often leave us questioning: Why did God allow this? How do we move forward when life doesn’t go the way we hoped?
This session explores how Scripture teaches us to trust God’s higher purposes, even in the face of suffering or unmet expectations.
God’s Ways Are Not Our Ways
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor 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.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
As finite beings, we cannot fully comprehend God’s plans. He operates with infinite wisdom, seeing the end from the beginning. What feels like a detour to us may be a vital step in His eternal purpose. Trusting God’s will requires humility—a willingness to admit that His understanding far surpasses ours.
Biblical Examples of Unmet Expectations
The Bible offers powerful examples of faithful believers whose desires were met with divine redirection. These stories remind us that God’s will, though mysterious, is always good.
Job: Worship in the Midst of Loss
Job experienced unimaginable loss—his wealth, children, and health were taken in a series of devastating events. Yet, his response was one of profound faith:
“The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).
Job’s story teaches us that worship can coexist with grief, and trusting God does not require understanding every aspect of His plan.
Paul: The Thorn in the Flesh
The apostle Paul pleaded with God to remove a "thorn in the flesh," but God’s answer was clear:
“My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Paul’s thorn, whatever it was, remained, but it became a means of displaying God’s strength. Through his weakness, Paul grew in dependence on the Lord.
The Role of Humility in Accepting God’s Will
Humility is essential in aligning our hearts with God’s will. When we resist His plan, we risk elevating our understanding above His sovereignty. Jesus Himself modeled perfect humility in the Garden of Gethsemane:
“Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42).
Christ’s willingness to submit, even unto death, sets the ultimate example for us. Through humility, we can embrace God’s plan, trusting that His will is always for our good and His glory.
Suffering and Alignment with Christ
Suffering has a unique way of drawing us closer to Christ. As Paul writes:
“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
This “good” is not always immediate relief but often the shaping of our character to reflect Christ. Suffering aligns us with His example, reminding us that He endured pain and loss for our sake.
Through suffering, we learn to cling to God’s promises, grow in endurance, and develop compassion for others. It transforms us, even as it tests us.
Practical Application: Reflection Questions
To help you process God’s will in your own life, consider these questions:
Can you recall a time when God’s will differed from your desires?
How did you respond emotionally and spiritually?
What truths about God’s character (e.g., His faithfulness, sovereignty, or love) helped you during that season?
How has that experience shaped your trust in Him today?
Do you see ways God was working that you didn’t recognize at the time?
How can you apply humility and trust to a current situation where God’s will feels unclear or challenging?
Write down your reflections and bring them before the Lord in prayer. Ask Him to align your heart with His will, even when it’s hard to understand.
Closing Thoughts
When God’s will differs from our own, it’s natural to wrestle with disappointment or grief. Yet, these moments are also opportunities to deepen our trust in His perfect plan. Like Job, Paul, and even Christ, we can find peace in surrendering to His will, knowing that He is faithful.
Let us echo the psalmist’s prayer:
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act” (Psalm 37:5).
In the next session, we will explore how to find peace when God’s promises seem delayed or unfulfilled. Until then, may we rest in the assurance that His ways, though higher than ours, are always good.