What is God Doing?

Who hasn’t gone through some trial that makes you wonder what in the world is going on? Neither the trial itself nor the timing of it makes any sense. When Israel crossed the Red Sea, God led them into a waterless desert, where they faced the real possibility of dying. “God, what are You doing?,” Israel asked, but only rhetorically—they were in fact just complaining. What they meant was “Why are you doing this to us? Are you trying to kill us?” (Ex. 17:7) They weren’t believing in God’s goodness.

In my years of counseling, many times I have posed this question to people who were encountering an unsettling trial. Most didn’t think beyond the global question. My job was to make it more personal. The majority ask “what is God doing?” as a form of complaint, as opposed to “What is God doing” with a desire to line up with His plan. When you are trying to get an answer to this question, it will be wise for you to begin with two principles: God is good, and God is always doing ‘good’ for you (Ro. 8:28).

When God abruptly changes your version of life, remember these two certainties. He may not furnish you the details, but you must trust that He is up to something good. After Israel’s trial through the desert was over, this was Moses’ explanation: “the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would really obey his commands” (Deut. 8:2).

What is God doing in your life? Every test gives you a chance to grow in your faith—and to prove whether you believe in His goodness, and will be obedient when things don’t make sense. Whatever God is doing, you can be sure it is always good for you. No one can even imagine the things God has prepared for those who love him (1 Cor. 2:9).