God, Where Are You?Sample

Day 6: Finding God where He’s always been

So often, I’ve looked for God through the lens of what I wanted Him to do.
I thought, “If He really sees me, He’ll fix this.” “If He’s truly present, He’ll make it all go away.”

But what happens when the outcome doesn’t go the way we hoped? What happens when the healing doesn't come the way we prayed for… When the relationship still ends… When the door we were sure would open slams shut? Does that mean God isn’t there? Does that mean He doesn’t care? The truth is—God doesn’t always show up the way we expect. But He always shows up as who He is. He is love. He is faithful. He is patient. He is truth.

And instead of looking for the outcome we’ve curated in our minds, let’s start looking for the attributes of God. Let’s stop measuring God’s presence by our wish list—and start measuring it by His character.

Let’s look for His love in the friend who calls just at the right time. Let’s look for His instruction when a Scripture jumps out in the middle of the storm. Let’s look for His faithfulness when we realize we’re still standing—even after we thought we wouldn’t make it.
Let’s look for His patience when we keep messing up but still feel His grace drawing us back.
Let’s look for His truth when lies are loud but His Word cuts through.

I’ve cried out “God, where are You?” I’ve asked that question from the pit of depression. I’ve whispered it while wrapped in grief so heavy I didn’t think I’d breathe again. And He didn’t always show up the way I pictured it—tidy, quick, clean, and comforting.

But He was there. Not in the perfect outcome…But in the fullness of His character. God doesn’t have to meet our expectations to prove His presence. He is who He says He is—and when we search for Him by His attributes, we will find Him.

Prayer:
God, thank You for being who You are. Even when You don’t show up the way I imagined, help me to trust that You are still near. Open my eyes to see Your love, Your instruction, Your patience, and Your truth in the middle of real life. Teach me to seek You, not just what You can do. Let me recognize Your presence—not in the perfect outcome, but in Your perfect character.
In Jesus’ name, amen.

Reflection Questions:

1. Which attribute of God (love, patience, faithfulness, truth, instruction, power) have you seen in your life recently?
2. Can you name a time when God didn’t change your situation—but He met you in it with His presence?
3. What would it look like to seek God’s character this week instead of a particular outcome?
4. In what area of your life do you most need to trust who God is, even if I you don’t understand what He’s doing?

If you enjoyed this reading plan, you’ll love God, Where Are You? Unmasking your pain, uncovering his presence by Dominique Young. It’s all about finding God in life’s hardest places. Download the first chapter for free here: https://dominiquenyoung.myflodesk.com/chapter1