Finding Purpose in Life's Hidden Seasons with God

Summary

Life with God is often filled with moments that challenge our understanding, moments when his ways seem counterintuitive or even confusing. Yet, for those who have chosen to trust Christ and follow him, there is a promise that transcends our circumstances: God’s hand is always on us, working for our good, shaping us into the likeness of Christ. This is not a shallow optimism, but a deep assurance rooted in God’s eternal plan—a plan to form an eternal family of Christlike beings, united in love for Christ and for one another.

To navigate the complexities and hardships of life, we need a spiritual lens—a way of seeing that interprets every event, every deprivation, every season of isolation, through the certainty that God is at work for our good. Romans 8:28-29 gives us this lens: God works all things for the good of those who love him, and his purpose is to conform us to the image of his Son. Without this perspective, we risk becoming confused, discouraged, or even dejected when life doesn’t make sense.

Elijah’s story is a vivid illustration of this truth. After boldly confronting King Ahab, Elijah is told by God to hide—an act that seems contrary to the usual call for boldness. For three and a half years, Elijah lives in isolation, fed by ravens and later by a destitute widow. These were not glamorous or comfortable circumstances, but they were precisely what Elijah needed for his development. In isolation, Elijah learned dependence, humility, and appreciation—qualities that would prepare him for the public challenges and victories ahead.

God often hides us, not to punish or sideline us, but to protect, heal, humble, and prepare us. These seasons of hiddenness are not wasted; they are the soil where Christlike character grows. Just as sleep is necessary for physical growth and healing, so too are these hidden seasons necessary for spiritual maturity. What God does in us in secret becomes the foundation for what he will do through us in public.

Every circumstance, no matter how confusing or painful, is infused with meaning when viewed through the lens of God’s eternal purpose. Even suffering and deprivation can expand our capacity for joy and appreciation. God’s faithfulness in these hidden seasons builds a confidence in him that cannot be shaken by outward circumstances. When we embrace this perspective, we find calm, confidence, and clarity, knowing that God is always at work for our good, even when we cannot see it.

Key Takeaways

- God’s eternal plan is to form a family of Christlike beings, and every circumstance in our lives is an opportunity for Christlike development. Even the most confusing or painful moments are not random; they are purposeful, shaping us for eternity. This perspective gives meaning to every experience, no matter how small or difficult. [03:26]

- Seasons of isolation and deprivation are not signs of God’s absence, but of his intentional work in us. Like Elijah, we may find ourselves hidden away, sustained by meager means, feeling alone and vulnerable. Yet, these are the very seasons where God deepens our dependence on him and prepares us for greater things. [17:21]

- God’s protection and preparation often come in forms we would not choose. Sometimes, his way of keeping us safe or readying us for future service feels uncomfortable or even humiliating. But it is in these humbling experiences that we are equipped with resilience, flexibility, and wisdom for what lies ahead. [23:49]

- What God does in us in secret is essential before he can do great things through us in public. The hidden, private history we cultivate with God—where no one else sees or understands—is the foundation for any public impact or ministry we may have. Authenticity and humility are forged in these unseen places. [32:32]

- Every trial, every season of waiting, and every moment of confusion is filled with meaning when viewed through the lens of God’s eternal purpose. Even suffering and loss can be transformed into growth, appreciation, and deeper trust in God. This assurance allows us to walk through life with calm and confidence, knowing God’s hand is always on us. [37:20]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[03:26] - The Spiritual Decoding Lens: Romans 8
[09:21] - Deprivation and the Gift of Appreciation
[14:04] - Elijah’s Call to Hide
[16:08] - God’s Unusual Provision: Ravens and Isolation
[17:21] - The Reality of Hidden Seasons
[21:52] - When the Brook Dries Up
[23:49] - Widow’s Provision and Continued Deprivation
[27:00] - God’s Protection and Our Development
[29:30] - The Purpose of Isolation
[32:32] - Elijah’s Secret Preparation
[35:00] - Meaning in Every Circumstance
[37:20] - Joy in Trials and the Growth of Perseverance
[40:59] - Living with Confidence in God’s Hand

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

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### Bible Reading

Romans 8:28-29 (ESV)
> And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

1 Kings 17:1-16 (ESV)
(Story of Elijah being told to hide, being fed by ravens, and then by the widow at Zarephath.)

James 1:2-4 (ESV)
> Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

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### Observation Questions

1. According to Romans 8:28-29, what is God’s purpose for those who love him? How does this purpose shape the way we view our circumstances? [03:26]
2. In the story of Elijah (1 Kings 17), what specific instructions did God give Elijah after his confrontation with King Ahab? What was unusual about God’s provision for Elijah during this time? [14:04]
3. How does James 1:2-4 describe the purpose of trials and testing in the life of a believer?
4. In the sermon, what were some of the ways God provided for Elijah during his season of isolation? [16:08]

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon describes God’s “spiritual decoding lens” as seeing every circumstance through the lens of God’s eternal plan. Why is this perspective important for a follower of Christ, especially during confusing or painful times? [03:26]
2. Elijah’s time in hiding was not punishment, but preparation. What qualities did Elijah develop during his isolation, and why were these necessary for his future ministry? [17:21]
3. The sermon mentions that God’s protection and preparation often come in forms we would not choose. Why might God allow us to experience uncomfortable or humbling situations instead of immediate relief or success? [23:49]
4. According to the sermon, what is the significance of what God does in us “in secret” before he does things through us in public? [32:32]

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon says that “every circumstance, no matter how confusing or painful, is infused with meaning when viewed through the lens of God’s eternal purpose.” Is there a current or past situation in your life that felt meaningless or wasted? How might seeing it through this lens change your perspective? [37:20]
2. Elijah’s season of isolation taught him dependence, humility, and appreciation. Are you currently in a “hidden” or isolated season? If so, what do you sense God might be developing in you during this time? [17:21]
3. The sermon compares spiritual hiddenness to sleep—necessary for growth and healing. What are some practical ways you can embrace a season of “hiddenness” rather than resist it or see it as punishment? [21:52]
4. God’s provision for Elijah was not glamorous—ravens and a destitute widow. Have you ever experienced God’s provision in an unexpected or humbling way? How did that shape your trust in him? [16:08]
5. The sermon says, “What God does in us in secret becomes the foundation for what he will do through us in public.” What are some private habits or “secret history” with God you want to cultivate right now? [32:32]
6. Humility is described as the soil from which all Christlike characteristics grow. Can you identify a recent experience where you were humbled or even humiliated? How might God use that experience to grow Christlike character in you? [37:20]
7. The sermon encourages us to walk with calm and confidence, knowing God’s hand is always on us. What is one practical step you can take this week to remind yourself of God’s presence and purpose, especially when life doesn’t make sense? [40:59]

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Devotional

Day 1: God Works All Things for Our Good

God’s eternal plan is to develop an eternal family of Christlike beings, united in loving devotion to Christ and one another. Every circumstance, challenge, or season we face is an opportunity for Christlike development, even when it feels confusing or uncomfortable. When we look at life through the lens of God’s purpose—to conform us to the image of His Son—we can find meaning, calm, and confidence, knowing that God’s hand is always on our lives, working for our good, even when we don’t understand the process. [03:26]

Romans 8:28-29 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Reflection: What is one current challenge or confusing situation in your life that you can choose to view through the lens of God’s purpose to make you more Christlike?


Day 2: Seasons of Hiding and Isolation Are for Our Development

There are times when God calls us into seasons of hiding or isolation, not as punishment or abandonment, but as a unique and necessary part of our spiritual development. Like Elijah, who was hidden away and sustained by God in humble, uncomfortable circumstances, we may find ourselves in places where only God knows what we’re going through. These seasons, though difficult, are not wasted; they are times when God is doing something deep within us, teaching us to depend on Him alone and preparing us for what lies ahead. [17:21]

1 Kings 17:2-6 (ESV)
And the word of the Lord came to him: “Depart from here and turn eastward and hide yourself by the brook Cherith, which is east of the Jordan. You shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.” So he went and did according to the word of the Lord. He went and lived by the brook Cherith that is east of the Jordan. And the ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning, and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.

Reflection: When have you experienced a season of isolation or hiddenness, and how might God have been using that time to develop something in you?


Day 3: God Hides Us to Protect, Heal, and Prepare Us

God sometimes hides us away for our protection, healing, and preparation, even when it feels uncomfortable or unnecessary. These hidden seasons are not just about keeping us safe from external harm, but also about protecting us from ourselves—refining our character, humbling us, and expanding our hope for the future. In these times, we learn to take refuge in God alone, discovering that He truly is enough, and that His presence is our ultimate security and joy. [23:49]

Psalm 32:7 (ESV)
You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to take refuge in God today, trusting Him as your hiding place even when it feels uncomfortable?


Day 4: Private Seasons with God Prepare Us for Public Purpose

Before God can do great things through us, He must do deep things in us—often in secret, away from the eyes of others. Like Elijah, whose years of hiddenness prepared him for public ministry and miraculous acts, we must cultivate a secret history with God. These private seasons are where humility, resilience, and wisdom are formed, equipping us for the unique good works God has prepared in advance for us to do. Nothing is wasted; every hidden moment with God is preparation for future purpose. [32:32]

Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally cultivate your “secret history” with God this week, allowing Him to shape you for what’s ahead?


Day 5: Every Experience Has Meaning When Seen Through God’s Lens

No matter how confusing, painful, or seemingly pointless a situation may feel, every experience in the life of a follower of Christ has meaning and purpose when viewed through the lens of God’s eternal plan. Even suffering, deprivation, or waiting can be used by God to mature us, deepen our trust, and equip us for what He has prepared. When we humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand, we can trust that He will lift us up in due time, and that His hand is always on our lives, working for our ultimate good. [37:20]

1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV)
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

Reflection: What is one area where you need to humble yourself before God and trust that He is working for your good, even if you don’t yet see the purpose?

Quotes

You don't start reading the Bible very far before you find something in it, inevitably, that you're like, what? God said what? Do what? Stop what? We read things in Scripture that sound, you know, just kind of counter-cultural, almost irrational at times, maybe impossible, things that shock us, things we've never thought about, maybe never considered in any way at all, but we find them there. And sometimes it causes us to feel confused, we might feel that, you know, do you really expect us to do this? Do you really expect us to live this way today in this world? [00:00:01] (37 seconds)  #ScriptureChallenges Edit Clip

What if it were possible for the rest of your days, the rest of my days, our days, we could know with certainty all the time that the hand of God is absolutely on our life, regardless of our circumstances, regardless of our feelings, regardless of our situations, regardless of what we're going through, we can know with certainty God's hand is on our life. [00:02:26] (23 seconds)  #UnshakableDivinePresence Edit Clip

Inappreciation is a curse. It doesn't matter how much we have, we will be discontent and unsatisfied if we are knowingly or unknowingly inappreciative. Therefore, if God wants to do us good, if God wants to develop us to be Christ-like, one of the things he has to help us develop is appreciativeness. [00:08:52] (19 seconds)  #PowerOfAppreciation Edit Clip

The hand of God is on my life when I know it, when I don't know it, when I feel it, when I don't feel it, when I don't deserve it at all. And when maybe I'm walking faithful, His hand is still there. Once I put my trust in Christ and become His follower, the hand of God is going to be on my life, your life forever. And He'll never leave us and never forsake us. He promises that. [00:10:44] (20 seconds)  #EverlastingDivineHand Edit Clip

He's hidden away. There's a second part of this that I'm going to show you in a minute. And only God knows where he's at. He is alone. He is in the most humble, vulnerable circumstances imaginable. He is not enjoying life. You don't enjoy life when you're all alone. You're isolated. You're eating this, you know. And you're just surviving. [00:17:54] (26 seconds)  #HiddenInHumility Edit Clip

You're all alone. You're going through something that only God knows about. You're isolated with God. You're cut off. Life has very few creature comforts for you right now. There's very little joy. There's very little excitement. There's very little motivation. This is a hard season in your life. Truth be told, you're hanging on by a thread. You're drinking from the brook, and you're eating whatever spiritually, mentally, emotionally you can get to survive for 24 more hours. Nobody else around you knows it, but God knows it. [00:18:39] (30 seconds)  #AloneWithGod Edit Clip

Let me say this before the lord can do things through us he must do things in secret this is important in secret nobody knew what was going on between god and elijah nobody knew about the raven food he must do things in secret with us and where else in us before he can do things through us in secret with us and in us you must i must we must cultivate a secret history with our creator he he craves that he longs to experience that and share that with us. [00:31:53] (33 seconds)  #SecretHistoryWithGod Edit Clip

Therefore, whenever we're in any kind of circumstance, if we take that lens, God's working all things together for good so that we might be conformed to the image of his Son, I can take any situation and I can look at it calmly and I can say, I don't like this situation. Raven's food stinks. I don't like being dependent upon some widow who's starving to death. But nevertheless, God is with me. He's for me. He's developing things in me that I don't even understand. [00:37:50] (28 seconds)  #PurposeInEveryTrial Edit Clip

What we learn in private with God at the brook, you know, we're like Elijah at the brook sometimes. Nobody knows where we're at except God. We'll prepare us for the public challenges on the mountain. That's where he fights off the false prophets of Baal. I have to, you have to, we have to have alone time, secret history with God before we can have public advances, public achievements for God and for his people. [00:41:00] (28 seconds)  #PrivatePreparationPublicVictory Edit Clip

If you'll put this lens on of his eternal purpose, you'll find meaning, you'll find calm, you'll find confidence in God. And you will walk through every experience in life with a sense that I know God is working for good. And I know his hand is on my life. He wants all of us to feel that way. And the truth is, very few of us usually do. We feel like, ah, at times maybe God's hand's on my life, but many times not. It's not true. Once you've put your trust in Christ, God's hand is always on your life. [00:41:48] (32 seconds)  #ConfidenceInGodsPlan Edit Clip