Understanding the Will of God in Bad Times

By James Katende – Life doesn’t always go as planned. There are seasons filled with beauty and blessing—and then there are seasons of hardship, heartbreak, and unanswered questions. It’s in those darker moments that we often ask, “God, where are You? What are You doing?” And the truth is, while the pain is real, God’s presence is just as real. Understanding the will of God in bad times doesn’t come from logic—it comes through faith.

God’s will isn’t always revealed in comfort. Sometimes, it’s in the crushing that we find our calling. It’s in the wilderness where we discover who He really is. Scripture never promised a life without trials—but it does promise that God will never leave us in them. When we walk through fire, He’s the fourth Man in the flames. When we walk through valleys, He’s the Shepherd who leads us through.

We may not always understand why God allows certain things, but we can be sure of this: He never wastes pain. Every trial we face is either producing something in us or preparing something for us. Sometimes what feels like a setback is actually a setup for greater glory. What we call delay, God calls development.

His will is not just about what He’s doing around us—it’s about what He’s doing *in* us. He is shaping our character, increasing our capacity, deepening our trust. We may not always understand the process, but we can trust the One who is in control of it. He sees the end from the beginning. He is sovereign, even in suffering. And He is working all things—even the hard things—for our good.