When the Story Isn't Finished Yet: Trusting God in the Middle Chapters of Life
“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion...” — Philippians 1:6
Have you ever read a book or watched a movie and thought you knew exactly how it was going to end, only to discover there were still unexpected twists and turns ahead? Maybe the characters faced impossible situations, their dreams fell apart, or there seemed to be no way the story could end well. Yet, somehow the author brought everything together in a way you never expected. Those are often the stories that stay with us the longest because they entertain us, challenge us, and remind us that the ending isn’t always what we imagined.
Doesn’t it seem like life is like that? We think we are stuck somewhere in our lives that can’t possibly turn out well or change, so we assume that it is going to be the whole story of our lives.
We Want the Last Chapter Before We’ve Finished the Book
I know some people like to look at the last chapter of the book before they’ve read it. I’ve never been able to figure out why you would want to do that, because to me, the best part of reading a book is seeing all the twists and turns and maybe trying to figure it out on my own. But that’s just me. I like a good mystery or suspense book or movie. The truth is that we all want answers, whether it be healing, justice, or fixing.
The last thing we want is to have to wait. That uncertainty, that unanswered prayer can be so difficult. The silence is deafening. We pray, we beg for answers, and we ask God to tell us what is happening and what we should do.
We ask God to tell us the ending while we are living in the midst of the story.
God Is Still Writing
There have been so many times in my life I have felt the waiting to be so hard. Some time ago a loved one was incarcerated for over a year. During that time, my heart was so burdened. I didn’t know how we would make it through that time, knowing what he was going through. I prayed on my knees. I called out to God. I screamed at Him. I worried for my loved one’s safety. I questioned Him, Why, God? Why did this have to happen this way?
What I did try to focus on was how God works, even in the worst circumstances. I knew there could be a mission there at the prison. God wasn’t finished with that story. In fact, I’m not sure he is even yet!
Our story doesn’t start and end with certain events. God works through our entire lives. Even if you make it to be 100 years old, you can pray for others. You can give them kind words and share the Gospel. The chapter we live in now isn’t the conclusion to the story.
While my daddy didn’t live beyond the age of 36, his story on earth ended, but he is now living with our Lord and Savior in heaven! What could be a greater story than that! Daddy left so many memory stones behind that his story continued on through us, his wife and children.
Looking in the rearview mirror, I now know that wasn’t the end.
God Was Still Writing Their Stories
In the book of Genesis, Joseph was sold into slavery by his own brothers because they were jealous of him. Later, after being falsely accused of something he didn’t do, he spent years in prison. It would have been easy to believe his story was over or that God had abandoned him.
But God was still writing.
In His perfect timing, Joseph was brought before Pharaoh to interpret a dream, and he was placed in charge of preparing Egypt for the coming famine. Years later, when his brothers came to find food, Joseph was able to provide for them and restore his relationship with his family. Looking back, he could say, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good...” (Genesis 50:20).
Joseph couldn’t have guessed the ending of this chapter while he was living through slavery and prison. But God… the great “I AM” was working on every chapter, preparing Joseph and his family for a new beginning.
There are many examples of God working in the waiting, not only in the Bible but in the lives of those around us. What we think is God being silent is actually Him working to bring about new beginnings, new chapters in our stories.
The disciples provide another example when, after the crucifixion, they felt defeated. The Friday of Jesus dying on the cross was probably the darkest day of their lives. Jesus, their leader, friend, Rabbi, and Son of God had just been dealt a bloody death on the cross. To many of them, their hope for Israel to be freed from Roman rule was dead. But if you know the true story, God still had plans. And wow, was it a plan! Jesus, the Son of God, the Lamb of God, was being prepared to rise from the grave on Sunday morning. If only they could remember the many times He told them. They just didn’t understand. On Friday, it seemed like the story was over. But if you are a Christian, you know now that Sunday was still coming. Oh what a glorious day, because this is what we live by as Christians today! God, providing salvation to all of us who believe on His name and give our lives to Him for a special relationship.
We need the perspective that God is always working. He doesn’t need to sleep or take a break from us. Remember that we do not know His ways, but we can believe in the promises He gives us in His Word.
Waiting Is Only a Part of the Story
It’s easy to tell someone to just wait it out. Just be patient, we say. But that’s hard when you’re going through the darkness of trials. There are some things we can do in our waiting, however. We can read the Bible and practice trusting in what God tells us. Putting a verse where we can see it daily may be helpful in remembering God’s promises.
We have to learn to depend on Him, knowing that circumstances are out of our control. Being out of control is one of the hardest things I face. I have struggled with the control factor since losing my daddy at age eight, watching my sister pass from cancer when she was 51, seeing a loved one go to prison, dealing with health issues, my husband losing his job, watching my own children go through hurt and pain, and so many other things. Life is going to be that way. That’s why it’s so important that we depend on God. It requires that we surrender ourselves and any outcomes to Him. That also makes us humble.
Patience is hard to come by as well. I rarely ask God for patience. That’s because I’m afraid He’ll test it, to be honest. It’s hard to be patient. We live in a world like that, don’t we? We are used to getting what we watch in a fairly quick manner. Order in the evening from Amazon? You may have your package by 5:00 AM the next morning. Believe me, it’s happened for us, and we live rurally. But try to live for more than a year when you are concerned for someone’s safety in a prison? Very anxiety-producing.
God tells us that our waiting isn’t wasted time. A saying I’ve seen on a wall hanging says, “God is still writing your story. Quit trying to steal the pen. Trust the Author.”
Looking Ahead with Hope
I don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow, next month, or even next year. But I know Who holds my hand, and He is already there. I love that thought. I know that Jesus is going to meet me at the beginning of the trial. Jesus, the author of my story, will not decide to jump in partway and decide what to do. He will not wait until the end and see what I’ve done during the waiting time. The following verse from the Old Testament always gives me hope. Maybe this will help you, too.
“Look at the nations and watch—and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told. – Habakkuk 1:5
The Final Chapter Belongs to God
I’m not sure what every chapter of my life will reveal. I don’t think I would want to know – even the good stuff. But my hope is that I will continue to grow in my faith in God, come what may. I have confidence that God will continue His work in my life, and that whatever I do, whatever choices I make, will bring glory to Him.
One of my favorite hymns from long ago (it was also one my daddy liked) is called “Jesus Never Fails.” And I know He doesn’t.
Reflection Question
Has there ever been a point in your life where you feel like you’re stuck in a particular chapter? Do you believe God is writing your story?
Simple Activity
Write the title of one chapter you’re currently living as if you’re writing a book.
Examples:
Waiting patiently/impatiently
Healing from grief/surgery/etc.
Parenting toddlers/teenagers
Grief that goes unseen
Uncertainty in my future plans
New Beginnings start today
Then underneath your current title, write: God is still writing my story.
Put it where you’ll see it all week. Then ask God to help you trust Him with the chapters that haven't been written yet.
Breath Prayer
Inhale: You’re still writing.
Exhale: I’ll start trusting.
Closing Hope
What you’re living through today isn’t your final chapter or your entire story. Trust in the Author. He has never stopped writing your story, and He is faithful to carry you all the way to the ending. As my children’s book reminds us, the sun will come up each day and remind us that life moves along with the best Storyteller of all!
