In/on my recovery bed battered and bruised, paralyzed on my right side from head trauma from damage to the left side of my brain; my diagnosis “Traumatic brain injury (TBI)” I am not sharing this to look at my past, dwell on it…but rather to give God ALL the glory!!! So very much has occurred since the accident, all to the glory of God. Right quick, I will thank God that what humans see is not what God sees!!! I cannot state that any stronger/louuder/more factually!!!
While humans focus on outward appearance, past mistakes, and temporary circumstances, God sees the heart, potential, and eternal perspective. God sees a person’s true potential in Christ rather than their failures. This deeper, spiritual vision emphasizes love, grace, and seeing the “more” beyond surface-level limitations.
Sometimes, I want to see the future to try to control my life. I figure that if only God had written down my route like GPS instructions, I wouldn’t have wound up in a challenging position.
But knowing me, even if I had it all spelled out, I would still mess up. I need to take life one day at a time.
Matthew 6:34 HCSB says, “Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
God will give me His supernatural strength to handle both physical and spiritual problems the moment I need it, but not before.
Because I serve the God Who sees all I can and more, I can trust His vision for my future.
The same God sees you too. Trust His vision for you.
Key differences between human and divine perspective include:
- Heart vs. Appearance: Humans judge by outward appearance, but God looks directly into the heart.
- Potential vs. Past: Where people see mistakes, messes, and the past, God sees potential and future.
- Truth vs. Limitation: Human vision is often clouded, while God sees the full, unfiltered truth and the “big picture”.
- Unseen Realities: According to Five Things God Sees (Even When We Don’t!) I was near the edge of my sanity. The day before, my boss had provided harsh feedback that crushed my spirit. Nothing I did pleased her.
I felt like I was drowning, pulled apart in a spiritual battle. The Holy Spirit kept reminding me to write Scripture verses to feed my mind on truth.
Tears tickled the edges of my eyes as I tried to hold in the pain. Though I couldn’t see it, hope was on the way.
After lunch, a message flashed in my inbox. The job I wanted just became available, and they asked me to apply.
Praise the Lord! While I was in one part of the building in deep anguish, I was unaware of the people in the other office preparing the vacancy announcement.
God saw all the moving parts of my story. He saw the situation unfold and knew that I would receive the job He’d prepared for me. My limited vision hampered my belief in God’s provision.
Though I thought the end of my career was near, God ushered in a new beginning.
I started thinking. What exactly does God see? How does His vision impact my ability to trust Him?
The Bible reveals that God sees many things that I cannot.
What exactly does God see? The Bible reveals that God sees many things that I cannot.Click to Tweet
1 – God Sees Our Thoughts
“Before a word is on my tongue, You know all about it, LORD.” Psalm 139:4 HCSB
Sometimes ideas rush through my head at lightning speed. In the chaos, I have no idea what I am thinking. When I slow down, I try to examine what I am doing and why.
As I read the Bible to collect my thoughts, God’s Word exposes my heart.
Hebrews 4:12 NASB says, “For the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, even penetrating as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
While my understanding is finite, God fully sees my every thought and comprehends my motivations.
While my understanding is finite, God fully sees my every thought and comprehends my motivations.Click to Tweet 2 – God Sees in the Dark
“If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will overwhelm me, and the light around me will be night,’ Even darkness is not dark to You, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are alike to You.” Psalm 119:11-12 NASB
Sometimes, dark thoughts try to creep in at night while I lie in bed. If I’m not careful, lies from Satan can become intertwined with the fabric of my heart. I can wallow in doubt and dread that my circumstances will never change.
My hurt is not hidden from God. He has perfect vision 24 hours a day. He sees my fears in the shadows and shines a light to expose lies.
The night will not overcome me. God looks beyond my heartache to show me hope for the future.
3 – God Sees Our Paths and Our Future
“For the ways of everyone are before the eyes of the Lord, And He observes all his paths.” Proverbs 5:21 NASB
Some roads I’ve traveled have made no sense to me. I can’t figure out how I got there or where I am going. I thought God had led me to my original job, yet it had felt like a wilderness.
God also led Moses into a desert. Sometimes we have to cross through dry spaces to get to the promised land. My new job is a much healthier work environment.
God not only knew why I was on that path but also saw the trajectory of where I would travel.
Only God can be in the present and the future simultaneously.
Deuteronomy 31:8 HCSB says, “The Lord is the One who will go before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”
God walks beside me while preparing a way in advance, so my footsteps do not slip. He is always with me and will never abandon me.
God walks beside me while preparing a way in advance, so my footsteps do not slip. He is always with me and will never abandon me.Click to Tweet 4 – God Sees the Spiritual Realm
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 NASB
Though we can’t see it with our human eyes, the spiritual realm is even more lasting than the physical realm. The things we see will pass away, but the unseen things are eternal (2 Cor 4:18).
When I ignore the reality of the spiritual war that wages, I can blame my boss for my distress instead of my true enemy.
God sees the spiritual realm superimposed on the physical realm as if they were one. Often our problems on earth are manifestations of the battle in the heavens. Our burdens may have spiritual causes.
For me to increase my awareness of the spiritual realm, I need to be in tune with the Holy Spirit. Then I can discern when to pray against the devil instead of grumble about my workplace.
The eyes of the Lord see so much that mine miss. His sight far surpasses mine. He knows and understands my immediate surroundings and how they play into His greater purposes.
5 – God Sees His Own
“For the eyes of the Lord roam throughout the earth, so that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” 2 Chronicles 16:9a NASB
I desire to live a life that is upright in the eyes of the Lord. Then, the Lord will support me along the path until it reaches Him.
God sees that the tears I cry on the road I travel will lead to a bountiful harvest of joy if I will keep obeying Him. I just can’t see that far when past hurts blur my vision.
The Lord sees the joy that comes in the morning (Ps 30:5). He doesn’t lead us on narrow ways to destroy us, but to build us up in Him.
Jesus Himself endured the cross and despised its shame for the joy set before Him (Heb 12:2). That joy was our reconciliation to the Father. He allows temporary pain for long-term good.
Even when I don’t see what God is doing, He’s not ignoring me. The Lord always fights for His children. He makes a way for me regardless of what I see in my circumstances.
Even when I don’t see what God is doing, He’s not ignoring me. The Lord always fights for His children.Click to Tweet Conclusion
Sometimes, I want to see the future to try to control my life. I figure that if only God had written down my route like GPS instructions, I wouldn’t have wound up in a challenging position.
But knowing me, even if I had it all spelled out, I would still mess up. I need to take life one day at a time.
Matthew 6:34 HCSB says, “Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
God will give me His supernatural strength to handle both physical and spiritual problems the moment I need it, but not before.
Because I serve the God Who sees all I can and more, I can trust His vision for my future.
The same God sees you too. Trust His vision for you.
-Joanna Ecclesby Living by Design Ministries, God sees what is hidden, including thoughts, spiritual battles, and the ultimate, unchanging truth. - Compassion vs. Judgment: Instead of condemning, as shown in What We See Isn’t All There Is | Ray Noah, God’s view is filled with love and grace, looking at people with “magic eyes” to see their true worth.
This perspective shift, highlighted on this Facebook post by In Touch Ministries, calls for viewing oneself and others with grace, recognizing that God is always working, even when it is not immediately visible.
Why do we have trials/testing of our limits or even beyond?
God writes the story, testing and trials are not “mistakes” in the narrative but intended plot points designed for character development, refinement, and a deeper reliance on Him. Trials are viewed not as punishment, but as a “refiner’s fire” that produces endurance, maturity, and a stronger, tested faith.
Here are the primary theological reasons for trials and testing:
- Refinement of Character (Refining Gold): Much like gold is heated to bring impurities to the surface, trials expose internal weaknesses, pride, or sin, allowing them to be removed, which ultimately makes a person more Christ-like.
- Building Endurance and Maturity: Trials are the “gym” for the soul, where resistance builds spiritual muscle, endurance, and character, leading to maturity.
- Fostering Dependence on God: Trials break self-dependence and force individuals to rely entirely on God, putting His power and grace on display rather than human strength.
- Testing Genuine Faith: A tested faith is a trusted faith. Trials distinguish between superficial belief and true, enduring faith, proving its value.
- Preparing for Service: Major tests often precede major assignments. Small trials prepare believers for larger responsibilities in God’s service.
- Revealing God’s Glory: Trials allow others to see God’s strength working through human weakness, bringing glory to Him.
- Training and Discipline: Trials can act as loving, parental discipline from God to redirect believers toward holiness, ensuring they share in His character.
- Equipping to Comfort Others: Experiencing trials enables believers to extend the same comfort they received from God to others who are struggling.
- Reminding Us Earth is Not Home: Hardship shakes the comfort of the present world, prompting a focus on eternal rather than temporary things.
Ultimately, these perspectives hold that God works all things together for the “good” of believers, with that “good” defined as being conformed to the image of Jesus, rather than comfort.
10 Reasons God Entrusts Us With Trials
We assume that by serving God in ministry, we are entitled to ease. But we forget that God shapes His servants through trials.
Why does God use trials so often?
Because of what they do. Below are some perspective changers that God has encouraged me with while facing trials. If you have the courage to follow God wherever he leads, these perspectives will be more than head knowledge. They will embed themselves deep in your heart because, at times, you will cling to them like a drowning person to a floatation device. Storms will come, but these truths will keep you afloat.
1. Trials are part of God’s work.
My Bible professor often said, “God never says, ‘Oops.’” God is in control of the trials. God is not on his throne wringing his hands as he waits for the outcome of events. Even if I cannot see how, I can be confident that God is working for his glory. This helps me to stop worrying about how things are going to work out. My heart is peaceful when I remember that God promises to work for his glory and our eternal good.
Pain is not without purpose. “Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” (Psalm 46:10). “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28).
2. Trials put God’s power on display.
When God leads me into a trial, he is preparing to work for his glory. Historically, this is how God prefers to work. Gideon started off with an army one-fifth the size of the Midianites, and then God made the odds even worse:
“The LORD said to Gideon, ‘The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, “My own hand has saved me”’” (Judges 7:2).
Just as God used Gideon’s testing, so too God uses our trials to show that he alone deserves the credit. Trials make it clear to the world that I am not in control. Everyone can see that I do not have the ability or strength to overcome the problem. Therefore, when God works he gets all the glory, not me.
3. Trials prepare me for service (even little trials).
When God works in a big way, it often involves one of his servants facing a big trial. We need to be ready for big storms and trials. How can we be prepared? Little trials.
I want God to trust me with his big tasks, but God does not give us the big tasks without testing us in the small things. Every trial God sends, even our daily frustrations, is part of a trial by tribulation, meant to test us and grow us stronger. If I want God to use me for big things, I must pass the little tests. If I do not pass the little tests, why should I expect God to trust me with greater things?
As I look back over the last decade serving in Africa, God has continually used trials. If I was not in one, I was getting ready to begin one. Much like our physical body grows stronger through the trials of exercise, our soul grows stronger through the trials of life. Without trials our body and soul become weak. Seth Godin says, “Soldiers realize that it’s war that makes generals.”
“We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).
4. Trials sanctify me.
I do not always handle trials well. (I think one of the reasons God moved me to Africa was to teach me how impatient I really am.) When things do not go as planned, traffic is endless, ministries struggle, paperwork abounds, or health suffers, the opportunities for impatience are many.
The trials do not cause me to sin by being impatient, angry or complaining, they simply reveal what is inside. If you cap a volcano the lava will blow out the side. If you try to cap your anger by not getting upset at your kids, it will probably blow out in another area like yelling at your dog or getting mad at other drivers. Trials reveal weaknesses. They reveal our inner sin. God reveals my sin to me in order that I can be sanctified. The greatest battle is the one that is inside of me. Because of this, God’s trials have been his greatest instrument of growth in my life.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).
5. Trials make me depend on God.
God uses trials to cause me to more fully depend on him. He wants me to cling to him and find peace in him alone. The greatest battle that is waged each day for the glory of God is not the one around me, it is the one in me. My sinful heart does not want to relinquish control. Trials are God’s tool to break my dependence on self so that I will trust in him alone.
Trials and weaknesses keep me from embezzling God’s glory. They make it clear that God alone deserves the recognition and honor.
“God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God… as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord’” (1 Corinthians 1:28-29, 31).
6. Trials show others that God is dependable.
As I go through trials, others are watching. They are watching to see if I respond in faith. Having peace in comfort is normal. Having peace in trials is not. Trials give me an opportunity to speak about the hope that I have. If I complain or have a bad attitude when facing trials, I forfeit my opportunity to speak of the greatness God!
God entrusts us with trials by tribulation so that we can be a light. Let us not waste these opportunities.
“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you” (1 Peter 3:14-15).
7. Trials show us and others that God is infinitely valuable.
As I go through trials or loss with peace and joy, others are watching. They are watching to see if I respond in joy. When I have joy in loss, it shows the world that Jesus is better.
Unfortunately, joy in the midst of loss is not my default setting. My default is complaining, self-pity, and seeking sympathy. Before I respond in joy God has to teach me that Jesus is better than anything this world has to offer. He teaches through trials and loss that He alone is my treasure and great reward.
This does not mean I laugh it off. Loss hurts deeply. But my joy is in something that cannot be shaken. We can feel incredible loss and unshakable joy in God at the same time.
Even if we lose everything, God is still enough. Through tears we can say with Job, “the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:25-26).
“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. God, the Lord, is my strength” (Habakkuk 3:17-19).
8. Trials are an opportunity for reward.
God entrusts me with trials as a gift. If I respond to the trials in faith and holiness, I can have joy in the fact that I am storing up rewards in heaven. If I respond to the trials with fear or complaining, I miss the opportunity for reward.
“In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:6-7).
9. Trials may be spiritual warfare.
A few years ago, when we opened the AIDS Care Home in South Africa, we came under attack. On opening day, Heather came down with mono, which lasted a year, and soon I began suffering from debilitating migraines. Later, Heather needed a serious tumor removed, and we had a demon possessed worker and patients (one even attacked Heather).
Despite my experiences, it took another missionary and a Zulu pastor to point out that we may be facing spiritual warfare. For some reason, we Westerners are often slow to consider spiritual warfare (at least I was). When my life and ministry are carrying the gospel into the dark places of this world, I am entering Satan’s strongholds. He will not go down without a fight.
I don’t need to fear because Satan is like a dog on God’s leash. He can only do what God allows (remember Job). God may allow Satan to harm me (or even kill me), but it always has a purpose, and it is always for my eternal good. When trials come, I must keep my eyes on God, but I need to be aware of Satan’s tactics “so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs” (2 Corinthians 2:11).
Satan wants to discourage us so that we give up. He will attack our health, our family’s health, and will send a myriad of trials to take us out of the fight. Don’t let him. Keep your eyes on God. If you are getting bombarded with trials, take heart, it may be because Satan is not happy with your life and ministry!
“Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14).
“[H]e who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4).
10. Trials may be for discipline.
Even though this is listed last, I always start with examining my own heart. God often uses trials or sicknesses to get our attention and reveal sin. As a loving Father, he wants to restore us to fellowship with him.
“[D]o not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves” (Hebrews 12:5-6).
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Psalm 139:23-24).
How can we endure with joy in trials?
How can we find peace in trials?
Through a changed perspective.
Peter walked on water during the storm because his eyes were on the King. When his eyes focused on the storm he sank. The storms and trials of life may rage, but perspective changes everything.
Don’t run from the trials. Do not fortify your life so you can stay safe and comfortable. You will miss out on being used by God.
Are trials hard? Absolutely. But I would never trade any of my trials because of what God did through them.
God entrusts us with trials because he is using us for his glory. He is at work in us, through us and around us. Take courage. He is working.
It’s war that makes generals.
– Seth Godin
In times of trial, it is important to dedicate yourself to prayer.