Seeing Beyond the Natural

"The steps of a man are established by the Lord, when he delights in his way."- Psalm 37:23 
  
When life throws you a curveball, it’s easy to get caught up in blaming the circumstances or the people involved. We tend to focus on the natural things that happen to us — the job loss, the broken relationship, the financial struggle. We quickly assign blame. But what if, instead of looking at the surface, you started to ask yourself, “What might God be doing in this situation?”

In the story of Israel's exile to Babylon, they were taken away by King Nebuchadnezzar. They saw this enemy king as the one responsible for their suffering. But the text also tells us something deeper: God “sent” them into exile. These two statements may seem contradictory, but they actually work together. Yes, Nebuchadnezzar took them away, but God was using him to accomplish His plan. The natural and the supernatural were both at play.
 
It's a lot like a scene from “Boyz In The Hood.” Tre, a young man played by Cuba Gooding Jr., gets in a fight at school and is sent to live with his father. On the surface, it looks like his mother is just tired of his behavior and wants him out of the house. But the truth is, his mother and father were both working together for his good. She sent him to his father, and his father took him away to guide him toward a better future.  

Just like that young man, Israel’s exile wasn’t just about the enemy taking them away; God had a purpose behind it. The same is true for you. Whatever you’re facing, there’s a bigger picture. Maybe that financial struggle isn’t just about bad luck, perhaps God is teaching you to be more responsible. Maybe the conflict in your relationships is helping you address deeper issues within yourself. God can use natural circumstances to work out His supernatural plans in your life.
 
It’s not always easy to see it in the moment, but reframing your perspective can bring clarity. Instead of seeing your hardship as something meant to destroy you, what if you saw it as something designed to develop you? God is not absent in your struggles. He’s behind the scenes, working things out for your good, even if it’s hard to understand right now.

The next time life seems overwhelming, ask yourself, “What might God be doing here?” How is He using this situation to shape me? When you shift your perspective, you open the door for growth and healing. Remember, the same God who brings you to a challenge is the same God who will carry you through it.