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How to Stop Asking “Why” and Trust God in Difficult Seasons
I’ve had to stop trying to make sense of everything that hurts.
I don’t always understand what God is doing. There are tough seasons, disappointments, and painful moments I’ve walked through that I wish I could have skipped entirely. If I let myself, I could easily spend all my time dwelling on those moments, asking why couldn’t things have been different?
Sometimes life just hurts. Sometimes we wish God had written our story another way.
But even when we don’t understand what we’re walking through, we can still choose to remember who walks through it with us.
The comfort in this truth is simple: God is always with you.
From “Why” to “Who”
This is the anchor given to Joshua when he was stepping into a possibly terrifying, unknown season:
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” — Joshua 1:9
This truth changes the way we look at difficult times. Our situations may change, people may leave, and our best plans may fall apart. We might even carry lingering questions that never get answered on this side of heaven. But none of those hardships can alter the reality that we belong to Him.
Through Jesus’ death and resurrection, our place as a child of God was fully bought and paid for. We have been brought near to God.. We don’t have to put on a brave front or pretend we aren’t hurting. We can pour out our hearts to Him, speak to Him when we are disappointed, and ask for help when we are exhausted. His love for us doesn’t change based on how well our life goes.
I find comfort in this: that I never have to face a single hard thing alone. When I catch myself dwelling on what I wish had been different, I can choose to turn my attention back to what is always true: God is always with me. I am His beloved child. And His love towards me stays the same.
Behind the Art: Communion and Belonging
When I worked on this piece of hand-drawn modern Christian art, I wanted to illustrate the joy, comfort, and safety of being brought close to God. Using a mixed-media torn paper collage aesthetic with warm and vibrant colors, this illustration frames the faith-based daily affirmation “God is always with you” in playful, retro bubble letters.
The vintage-inspired doodles bring together symbols of belonging and grace: holy communion elements, a “child of God” signage, a heart locket with bow, a celestial shooting star, painterly brushstrokes, washi tapes, and golden autumn leaves.
The communion elements are a beautiful reminder of why we can run to God in our time of need. Jesus gave His life so we could commune with God intimately, every single day, right in the middle of our mess.
You Never Walk Alone
If you’ve been carrying a heavy heart, wishing a certain chapter of your life had gone differently, let this be your permission to stop trying to figure it all out… You can bring all your questions and cares to God, because He deeply cares for you.
May you find comfort in this: that the One who loves you most is right there beside you, walking through single step of your journey.
A Simple Reflection for Your Day
- What’s one difficult situation or unanswered question you’ve been obsessing over recently that you can hand over to God today?
- Look at the communion elements and heart locket in the artwork… how does remembering that Jesus’ finished work has reconciled you to God help you feel safe and secure, even when your circumstances feel unstable?
FAQ: Understanding God’s Presence in Hard Times
Does “God is always with you” mean He will immediately take away my pain?
No. God’s presence is not a guarantee that we will escape earthly hardship. But it’s a promise that we will never have to endure anything alone. He promised to always be with us, through the winds and waves. We can find comfort and peace in knowing that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Why does God allow things to happen that I wish I could skip?
While we may not understand the specific reasons for our trials, God’s Word assures us that God never wastes our pain. He uses difficult seasons to refine our faith, strengthen our faith and dependence on Him, and soften our hearts so we can comfort others who may go through similar challenges. We may not see the purpose right now, but we can trust the character of our loving Father guiding our story.
How do I practically “run to God” when I feel distant or disappointed?
Running to God doesn’t require eloquent prayers or strong faith. It simply means being honest with Him. Open a journal or pray out loud, tell Him exactly where you feel disappointed or hurt, read a Scripture verse that matches your current emotion… and allow yourself to experience His loving presence without struggling to figure out anything.
Held in His Unfailing Love
You don’t have to reason everything out or make your story make sense today. Breathe easy, lay down your need for answers, and rest in the truth that you’re always walking with a faithful Savior. You are loved. You are seen. And you are never alone.
— Nicole
A Little Invitation
If you’ve been walking through a season that feels hard to understand or make sense of, I share a creative reflections and simple journal prompts in my free studio letter. It’s a cozy, pressure-free space where we learn to rest in His presence through Scripture and art. You’re so welcome to join us below!
