In our most challenging seasons, we often wonder why God leads us into deep, turbulent waters. Like the Psalmist in Psalm 69:1-2, we may cry out, “Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck. I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold.” Life’s trials can make us feel overwhelmed and unsure of what God is doing. But when we seek God’s heart in these moments, He reveals profound truths to guide and encourage us.

Let’s walk through these moments of questioning together, as God, our divine teacher, shows us His hand in every struggle.

“Why are you taking me through troubled waters?”

When we ask God why we’re enduring the storm, He sometimes answers, “Because your enemies can’t swim.” In Exodus 14:13-14, as the Israelites stood trapped between the Red Sea and the approaching Egyptian army, Moses said, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm, and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today… The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” God led them into what seemed an impossible situation, not to abandon them, but to destroy the power of their enemies.

The waters that feel like they will consume us may be the very waters God uses to deliver us from what pursues us. In these moments, we see God’s sovereignty and His protection at work.

“Why do I always feel like I’m failing and struggling?”

God sometimes responds with this wisdom: “Because your growth and accomplishments come from facing challenges and overcoming difficulties.” James 1:2-4 tells us to “consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”

Each struggle shapes us, building strength, resilience, and faith. It’s through these tests that God transforms us. The feeling of failure is often just a temporary stop along a path of divine growth, with every setback a setup for something better. God uses our struggles to refine us, like silver purified in the fire (Psalm 66:10).

“Why do I sometimes feel like life is filled with pain and helplessness?”

In our pain, God says, “Because in your weakest moments, I am by your side.” In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul recounts how God spoke to him in his weakness: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” When we are at our lowest, God’s presence is at its most profound. He doesn’t just allow pain to touch us without purpose; instead, He uses it to draw us closer to Him, molding our character and teaching us to rely on His strength rather than our own.

Pain refines our hearts, and helplessness teaches us to look beyond ourselves, resting fully in God’s power and grace. As Isaiah 41:10 reminds us, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

“Why do I have to experience disappointment and setbacks?”

Disappointment and setbacks are hard to bear, but God’s voice is clear: “In disappointment, you learn to trust. In setbacks, you learn to persevere.” Romans 5:3-4 speaks of this transformative process: “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Disappointment teaches us to release our grip on temporary desires and to trust fully in God’s promises.

God uses setbacks to build perseverance, to remind us that our ultimate victory is not just in a temporary triumph but in the eternal promises of His kingdom. When our plans fail, we remember that His plans for us never falter. “For I know the plans I have for you,” He says in Jeremiah 29:11, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

“Why do I always feel confused and lost?”

God’s response is gentle but direct: “You overlook my plan for your life. When you focus on me, I will smooth your path and provide you with clear direction.” Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Our confusion often stems from our focus on our desires, plans, and limited understanding. When we turn our eyes upon Him, seeking His wisdom and guidance, clarity emerges. God promises us that He has a plan—a good plan—that will not fail. Jeremiah 33:3 assures us, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

Trusting God Amid Uncertainty

In every question we ask, God’s response brings us back to Him, to His perfect love, unfailing wisdom, and sovereign control over our lives. He calls us to trust Him deeply, to believe that He is with us in every storm, every challenge, every moment of weakness and confusion. As Paul wrote in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

This journey is not about knowing every step but about knowing who walks with us. When we trust in Him, we are reminded that He holds every piece of our lives within His hand, guiding us through every high and low, shaping us for something far greater than we can imagine.

So, if you find yourself in troubled waters, struggling, feeling lost, or discouraged, remember this message. Remember that your Father in heaven has promised to never leave you, to uphold you, and to bring you to a place of strength and peace.

Trust in God—He is in control.