Three Ways to Move Forward When Life Doesn’t Give Us Answers 

Three Ways to Move Forward When Life Doesn’t Give Us Answers 

As I sat in the eye doctor’s waiting room I looked over at her tiny feet. My daughter had been home for almost a year and we were still waiting for answers. We didn’t know what had caused (or was causing) her low muscle tone, but here we were. Waiting again. I signed up for the waiting when we agreed to adopt. I knew it would be a long process. It was about 15 months from the time we submitted our application to when we held her in our arms.

I didn’t anticipate the waiting afterwards. This time we were waiting for answers. Why was she the way she was? What was her physical illness? That waiting room at the eye doctor helped us put some of the puzzle pieces together, but we still couldn’t see the whole picture. Who really sees the whole picture? 

I’ll tell you who. God does. For two and half years we spent hours searching for answers as to “why” and never found a definite cause. She has a few pieces of a lot of different things but nothing to give us an exact answer. She will always be a mystery, at least to us. One day God spoke to my heart and He said, “I’ve always known her and will always know her.” In that moment I realized that God saw my daughter, he saw her past and her future. He knew exactly what was wrong in her little body that caused her to struggle. I didn’t need to know. 

I wanted to know. And I felt like I needed to know. But God has decided that we don’t know. And that has to be ok. In fact, years later, I realize it is more than ok. It is the perfect way to move forward. I thought if I had all of the answers and all of the pieces to her little medical puzzle I could help her get better. Instead, God is showing me that when we don’t know something it allows us to trust Him better. He is working in her life. Physically she is progressing and growing and learning. People call it a “miracle” but I see it as God’s faithful hand. 

We want answers and see clearly into the future. But God doesn’t always give us answers. Instead, He gives us His presence. What more could we need? When God told Moses in Exodus 34 that they could go to the Promised Land without Him, Moses rejected that idea! Moses realized something we sometimes forget: God’s presence is actually all we need. If we had everything we ever wanted, but lacked God, we would have nothing. So how do we move forward when we don’t have answers? 

1. We trust God’s presence will never leave. It is amazing to think that God never leaves us. He knows all about us and draws near to us. This amazing truth can help us rest wherever we find ourselves today. 
2. We believe God’s promises. God will supply our needs. God gives us power and strength for each day. God listens to our prayers. Those are just a few promises that are true, no matter what is going on in our lives. 
3. We realize God’s plan. God never left His throne. This amazing truth anchors our hearts when winds of doubts threaten us. We might doubt others or our own decisions, but God’s plan can’t be thwarted by either. 

Maybe you find yourself walking a path you didn’t see coming or one that you didn’t choose. God hasn’t left. He is right there with you. I encourage you to check out my book, I Didn’t Sign Up for This to read more about my story and Moses’ story. In this book you’ll find the God who walks with us and loves us so.