Have you ever looked back on a hard season and thought, Why did that even happen? When we’re in the middle of pain, waiting, or disappointment, it can feel like those moments are just wasted time. A lot of us quietly wonder if any of it really matters. But the truth is this: God doesn’t waste parts of our story. Even the seasons that feel heavy or confusing can still hold purpose in His hands.
Okay, let’s talk about the promise this week. God promises that every part of our story has purpose. Not just the good days, not just the wins, but all of it – the messy parts, the painful parts, the slow seasons… all of it. And I know that can feel hard to believe when we’re in the middle of something that just hurts, because some things don’t feel good at all.
But what’s important to note is that “all things” does not mean all things are good. There are things we walk through that break our hearts, confuse us, and leave us asking “why?” God isn’t calling those things good. But He is promising that He won’t waste them. He redeems and restores them. He takes what was meant for harm and somehow weaves it into something meaningful over time.
We actually see this way back in Genesis with Joseph. What his brothers did to him was wrong – no question about it. But later, he says something powerful: what they meant for evil, God used for good. Now, that doesn’t erase the pain he went through, but it shows us something bigger – that God was working the whole time, even when it didn’t look like it.
And if you’ve noticed, a lot of our growth doesn’t happen in the easy seasons – it happens under pressure, when we’re stretched, when we’re waiting or when we don’t have all the answers. That doesn’t mean God is causing the pain, but it does mean He’s forming something in us through it. That could be strength, patience or a deeper faith – all the things we honestly wouldn’t build any other way.
So what does it look like to live from this truth in our everyday life? Maybe it’s this simple shift: instead of asking “why is this happening to me?” we start asking, “God, what are You doing in me through this?” You see, we don’t have to pretend it doesn’t hurt. We know we can process it, feel it and bring it to Him. But we also know that we can hold onto the truth that He sees the full story, even when we only see a small piece. And even those seasons… count.
So this week, let’s try a Purpose Journal Pause. Find 10 quiet minutes and answer this question on paper:
“What is one hard season I’ve already walked through and what did I gain from it that I wouldn’t trade now?”
It doesn’t have to be an incredible or profound moment – nor does it have to be fully resolved. Just write and let God remind you that He’s been working longer than you’ve been watching. And if you’re in the middle of a hard season right now, write that too and ask Him: “What are You building in me here?”
Let’s remember that God promises purpose in every season – no season of our lives is ever wasted.
I’d love to hear your thoughts or reflection on this message in the comments section below. Your perspective might just encourage someone else on their journey.
Next week, we’ll continue our series with God Promises Renewed Strength. I can’t wait to walk through it with you. And if you missed our last post on God Promises Provision, you can catch it here.
P.S. If you’d like gentle encouragement like this delivered straight to your inbox each week along with scripture, prayer and affirmation reminders, you’re welcome to sign up for our Monday Morning Reset newsletter. Thank you so much for hanging with me. Until next time!
Let’s stay rooted in Christ my friend,
Founder of Rooted Living
On a Mission to help 1 million women live rooted in Christ