“The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8 (NIV)
Pregnant with our firstborn, I spent a lot of time imagining who he would look like and what it would feel like to hold him. I pictured us reading books together and taking long walks through our neighborhood. I even imagined his high school graduation and his wedding. I was full of hope and expectations for our future.
Then the test results ordered by his pediatrician came back abnormal, and life took a hard turn.
Suddenly, our future felt uncertain. I couldn’t picture good things anymore. In my journal, I wrote a question heavy on my heart: Is a broken life still a blessed one?
In the months that followed, I kept journaling raw and honest thoughts. Slowly, I began to sense an answer forming. I began to see that, yes, a broken life can still be a blessed one.
As I studied Scripture, I noticed how often God meets people right in the middle of things seemingly falling apart. In Deuteronomy 31:8, the Israelites were losing their beloved leader, Moses, and facing terrifying enemies. Moses reminded them, “The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
That’s far from the only story in the Bible that shows God with His people in the middle of their hard, seemingly broken stories.
When the Israelites felt trapped by the Red Sea, a way forward appeared where none had seemed possible (Exodus 14).
When Elijah was exhausted and overwhelmed, God met him with a gentle whisper and encouragement (1 Kings 19).
When a woman burdened by shame met Jesus at a well, His compassion changed her life (John 4).
Time and again, God shows up right in the middle of fear, exhaustion, shame, and loss.
I journaled, God, if You showed up in their stories and worked for their good, then I believe even my broken story can be blessed because You’re in it with me.
I also started a simple practice. Every time I noticed God’s presence or read about Him working in someone else’s story, I noted it in my journal. This wasn’t forcing positivity or pretending things were easy. It was just paying attention.
That small habit began to change how I saw my family’s own story. Not because the diagnosis suddenly felt good (it didn’t) but because I began to see that God was with us in it.
My imagination for good was revived. Our hard story didn’t disappear, but it became a place where I could see grace at work.
When we feel discouraged by our circumstances, afraid that we’ve reached a dead end, or convinced that things can’t change, we can simply start noticing.
Noticing where God is showing up.
Noticing how His presence shifts our perspective.
Noticing how He is working things for good — even here.
Father, would You revive my heart and imagination for the good things You are doing in and around me? Help me to know that Your heart is always for me and that You are with me every step of the way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
For a fresh way to hear and experience God while immersing yourself in Scripture through journaling, grab a copy of Allison Byxbe’s book Journaling as a Spiritual Practice.
Author, professor, and journaling guide Allison Byxbe inspires women to trace the lines of grace through every season of their lives. You can stay up to date with all things Allison on Instagram or Facebook. For exclusive content, sign up for Allison’s free guided journaling prompts.
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Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (NIV).
When have you been tempted to lose hope? How can you slow down and notice where God is showing up and working for your good? Share your answers in the comments!
© 2026 by Allison Byxbe. All rights reserved.
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