Faith Through the Silence: How God Transforms Pain into Purpose
Have you ever felt like your entire world collapsed in a single moment? In November 2008, that’s exactly what happened to me—losing my job and my dad just five days apart. I had just bought a brand new car, moved into a new house a year earlier, and my daughter’s second birthday was just months away. Life, as I knew it, was turned upside down.
My immediate reaction was to be still. I couldn’t panic—if I did, everyone around me would too. I'm sure this sounds familiar to many of us. When the weight of the world is on your shoulders, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, ready to throw in the towel. Believe me, I was there. But I knew that panicking wouldn’t help. Instead, I decided to act.
Before I talked to anyone, I took my worries to God. I told Him what I was feeling, why I was feeling it, and asked what lesson He wanted me to learn. Honestly, I wanted to blame God, but deep down, I knew I had to seek His guidance instead of pointing fingers.
One of the most difficult parts of that season was how quickly the people around me scattered. When everything was going well, when life was smooth and I was “up,” it felt like everyone was close by. But the moment my life took a downturn, people slowly began to drift away. It was painful, but it was in those moments—when I felt alone—that I realized God was calling me to lean on Him more. He wanted my attention, and He got it. When others disappeared, He remained steadfast.
Proverbs 3:5-6 reminded me: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
I had to trust God’s plan, even when I couldn’t see it clearly.
For the next nine months, I worked three jobs. These were not glamorous positions—most people would have turned their noses up at them—but I had a family to support. Pride took a backseat. I worked over 70 hours a week, exhausted, but determined. I had to trust God, even when I couldn’t see the light at end of the tunnel.
During those nine months, I was exhausted. There were days when I could barely keep my eyes open. But I kept pushing, knowing that God had a plan for me. I made sure not to complain outwardly, though God and I had many private conversations. And trust me, I didn’t win those arguments.
But after those nine long months, God opened a door.
Those nine months weren't just a test of endurance—they were a transformation. Every hour I worked, every tear I cried, was shaping me into someone stronger, more resilient, and more trusting of God’s plan. When we surrender to the process, the struggle turns into strength, and we become the person we were always meant to be.
I passed the test. God had been preparing me all along. When He finally opened that door, His promise was waiting on the other side.
We all face moments where life knocks us down, moments where giving up feels easier than pushing forward. But it’s in those moments—when the future is unclear and the path seems darkest—that greatness is born. Sometimes life throws us curveballs we never saw coming, but that doesn’t mean the story is over—it’s just beginning.
So, what’s standing between you and your greatness? Is it fear, doubt, or the belief that you’re not enough? Let me tell you—there’s greatness inside you right now. But you have to believe it, even when the path is uncertain, even when you can’t see the next step. Will you choose to rise? Or will you let this moment define you? The choice is yours.
Greatness doesn’t come from smooth paths or easy decisions—it comes from surrendering to the higher calling on your life. It’s realizing that your challenges are not here to break you, but to build you into someone who can carry out a purpose far beyond yourself.
Whatever you’re going through right now, no matter how difficult or hopeless things may seem, remember that God is carrying you. Like in the poem Footprints in the Sand, when you can’t walk anymore, He’s carrying you through the storm.
You are not defined by what happens to you. You are defined by how you rise in response. So when life knocks you down, remember this: God is not finished with you yet. The greatness that lies within you is waiting to be awakened, but only you can make that choice. You are stronger than you know, and your best life is still ahead.
Trust the process, embrace the struggle, and walk boldly into the greatness that’s waiting for you.
