Life isn’t a smooth path; it’s messy, unpredictable, and full of twists that sometimes leave you feeling completely lost. Every season we go through—whether it’s waiting, transition, growth, or something in between—has its own struggles and joys. But let me tell you, trusting that God has a purpose for every stage? That’s hard. It’s really hard when you’re in the middle of a storm and all you can feel is the sting of the rain.

I’m not coming to you as someone who has it all figured out. I’m 49 years old, and there have been so many times I’ve looked at my life and thought, Where did I go wrong? I’ve had those gut-punch moments where the life I envisioned—the life I thought I’d be living by now—is nowhere to be found.

When Life Doesn’t Look Like You Thought It Would

Let’s get real: I’ve walked through dry seasons. Not just those “I’m waiting on God to move” moments, but the kind of dryness where everything feels lifeless. Your marriage feels more like a business arrangement than a partnership. The love of your life becomes just another person you share a house with. Or when your kids—who aren’t kids anymore—have moved on, building their own lives. They don’t call, they barely text, and you’re left scrolling through old photos wondering where the time went.

Maybe for you, it’s the career you thought you’d have by now, the relationship you’ve prayed for, or even just the simple hope of feeling like you’re enough. And in those moments, it’s so easy to feel like God’s forgotten you.

But here’s the thing I’ve learned—God doesn’t waste a single season, even the ones where you feel stuck in a rut.

Trusting God When You’re in the Middle of the Mess

Trusting God’s timing? Oh, that’s been one of the hardest things for me. I’ve spent nights crying out, asking Him why things aren’t happening when I want them to, or why He hasn’t answered the prayers I’ve been praying for years. But you know what keeps me going? Jeremiah 29:11.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

I’ve clung to that verse like a lifeline. Because even when it doesn’t feel like it, I know God’s at work behind the scenes.

Finding Purpose in the Hard Seasons

Every season teaches us something. I think back to the times I’ve been in the trenches—whether it was battling the pain of rejection, wrestling with disappointment, or grieving the loss of what I thought life should be—and I can see now how God was shaping me.

Maybe you’re in a season of waiting, and it feels like nothing is happening. But friend, waiting isn’t wasted time. It’s the time when God is preparing you for what’s next.

Or maybe you’re in a season of transition, and everything feels uncertain. Let me tell you, God’s not surprised by your circumstances. He’s in the middle of it with you, holding you steady even when you feel like you’re barely hanging on.

Embracing Your Calling in the Chaos

I’ve learned that discovering your purpose isn’t this big, dramatic moment where the heavens open and everything becomes clear. It’s a daily choice to seek God, trust His timing, and let Him lead.

Start small. Look at the gifts He’s given you—the things that make you come alive. Maybe it’s writing, teaching, encouraging others, or simply showing up for the people around you. Whatever it is, lean into it.

Romans 12:6 says, “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.” God didn’t make a mistake when He created you. Your gifts, your story, your struggles—they all have a purpose.

Living Purposefully, Even When It’s Hard

Living with purpose doesn’t mean everything’s perfect. It means showing up, even when it’s messy. It means being faithful in the small things, trusting that God is working through you in ways you can’t see.

If you’re raising little ones, that’s your ministry right now—teaching them about God’s love, modeling faith. If you’re in the workplace, reflect Christ through your integrity and kindness. If you’re in a season of waiting, let God strengthen your faith in the quiet moments.

Colossians 3:23 reminds us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord.” That’s where purpose is found—in the everyday, ordinary moments where you choose to glorify Him.

Life is hard, and I don’t have all the answers. But I do know this: God is faithful. He’s never left me, even when I’ve felt unworthy, broken, and completely lost. And He hasn’t left you either.

So wherever you are today, whatever season you’re in, take heart. God’s not done with you. Keep showing up, keep trusting Him, and keep believing that He’s working all things together for your good. You’re not alone in this journey, and your story is far from over.

Let’s walk this road together, leaning on Him every step of the way.

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