Faith Beyond the Why: Trusting the Path You Didn’t Choose

Have you ever had something you deeply prayed for not come to pass? Or walked through a season that felt like setback after setback?

It’s in those moments when things don’t unfold the way we’d hoped or expected that our faith is really refined. And yet, somehow, those very detours often hold unexpected blessings.

Not because we forced them into meaning, but because we allowed God to shape them.

In many Christian circles especially the more conservative ones, I’ve noticed a pattern. We say “God’s will be done” while still trying to control the entire narrative. We want the outcome we’ve planned, the tidy story with the faithful ending.

But I wonder… is that really trust? Or is it fear cloaked in spiritual language?

The danger comes when we start to believe that prayer alone, or just being “good,” is enough. Yes, prayer is powerful. Yes, we are called to live righteously. But Jesus also said:

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” – Matthew 7:7 (ESV)

There’s an active seeking required. A humble participation. We are not meant to sit still in stagnation but to walk forward in faith even when the outcome is uncertain.

Sometimes, when things fall apart or we face disappointment, we become like Job’s friends quick to point fingers, overly fixated on “why” rather than sitting with “what now?” We assume misfortune means we’ve failed or that God is punishing us.

But what if it’s neither? What if we’re simply being redirected?

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

It’s easy to mistake our plans for God’s will. But when we learn to tune within, to quiet the noise, to become present and open, we become more attuned to the gentle nudges of the Spirit.

This isn’t about being passive. It’s about surrendering with intention. Being led, not dragged. Listening, not forcing.

This posture doesn’t just impact us—it shapes the generations after us.

When we model a rigid or fear-based view of God’s will, or interpret suffering as punishment rather than an invitation to deeper trust, we unintentionally teach our children that God is distant, disappointed, or conditional.

These beliefs take root and form patterns that echo across families: of shame, striving, and spiritual anxiety.

But when we choose to walk in trust, honesty, and surrender, we hand down something different resilience, relational faith, and a God who is with us, even when life doesn’t make sense.

This posture changes everything. It shifts our perspective from one of shame and failure to one of trust and rest.

We begin to see the unexpected turns not as rejections but as divine rerouting. We’re no longer trapped in fear or disappointment, because we know:

He’s got it. We let go, and we let Him.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5–6 (ESV)

I’ve walked through my own seasons where doors closed that I was sure God had opened. I felt discouraged, even abandoned. But looking back, those closed doors were His mercy. He was protecting, refining, leading. And what came after though different was better, because it was aligned with His heart, not just my hopes.

So if you’re in a season that feels off-course, take heart. Don’t rush to make sense of it or spiritualise the pain.

Let yourself feel it. But also, hold space for the possibility that this is not the end. That perhaps this is the very path that will lead you deeper into His goodness.

He’s always working often in the unseen. And sometimes, the biggest blessings come wrapped in disappointment.

If you’ve ever felt stuck in patterns of thinking that make you feel like you’re not enough…
If you’ve questioned whether your faith is strong because life hasn’t gone to plan…
Or if you’re ready to renew your heart and mind and be deeply rooted in God’s truth

I invite you to join us in our Renewing the Mind group session. It’s a safe and space for Christian women ready to explore how limiting beliefs have shaped their faith, their choices, and how they see themselves in God’s story.

And if you're just starting out and want to get intentional with your walk, read blog post Asking is Not Enough: Embodying our Intention to Receive.