Seeing God throughout your life can be difficult in a broken world, especially when we are battling trials. We all encounter difficult seasons, and during these challenging times, we frequently doubt God and wonder why He would let these things happen. But as we learn more about God and His character and ways, we will see Him at work in our everyday lives, and we’ll begin to trust Him more, no matter our circumstances. 

How to See God Throughout Your Life

As with anything, becoming attuned to seeing God’s work in your life can take time and effort. Just as hearing Him takes time dedicated to being in His presence and reading and studying His word, seeing His work in your life will take dedication and intentionality. Here are five steps towards growing your ability to see God at work in your life. 

1. Renounce Luck and Coincidence

The first step to seeing God throughout your life is acknowledging that He is in control of everything. Unfortunately, when something happens in an individual’s life that seems “too good to be true,” many people quickly write it off as a coincidence or luck. 

As Christians, though, we know that God is sovereign over all things, and there is no such thing as luck or coincidence. When circumstances line up perfectly, we know it was the favor and handiwork of God. And when things don’t go the way we might have hoped, we can know that God — Who is always good, even when we don’t understand His ways — is at work for our good and His glory. 

If you attribute circumstances where you stand in amazement at how things seemed to all work together for your good to coincidence or luck, you insult God by disregarding His authority and control over all creation, and dishonor Him by ignoring His praiseworthy action.

For example, if you’re driving down the road and almost get sideswiped by a car, rather than exclaiming, “Good grief, that was a close one!” you should be proclaiming, “Praise God who was watching out for me and at work for my good!” (Romans 8:28). 

2. Think Extraordinarily

Stop thinking about your life as ordinary. You are a one of a kind, uniquely and specially designed person! You are uniquely, fearfully, and wonderfully made by the Creator of the Universe (Psalm 139). God’s hand on your life is not something to take for granted. Acknowledge that God created you for a glorious purpose and He intentionally controls every encounter and circumstance you experience. Recognize the splendor that is God’s handiwork, and praise Him for every circumstance, both what you perceive as ‘good’ and even what you consider ‘bad’, because He is at work to use your life to proclaim His glory by conforming you into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 8:29).

3. Dwell on His Word and in His Presence

Quality time builds relationships. It is doubtful that you will see someone affecting your life if you aren’t dedicating time to be with or have interaction with that person. Yet, as you spend time with them, you will be able to clearly see how they affect you and your life. 

And the same goes for our relationship with God. If we aren’t reading His word and spending time in His presence, the likelihood of us being keenly aware of His active presence and work in our lives is slim. 

4. Look for His Hand in Your Life

As we live out those first three steps, we acknowledge that God has an active presence in and control over our lives. Accepting that makes us more attuned to seeing His work clearly in our lives. A layoff at work is now a path to see God’s goodness shine as you trust in His faithful provision, and being delayed on our way to work as God’s protection or testing of our patience. When we understand both God’s sovereignty and His goodness, we will be more inclined to live out the scripture, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). And a grateful life is a joy-filled life! Having this biblical outlook on life makes a cup of coffee no longer simply a cup of coffee or taking a shower merely what you do to get clean, but each of them as an opportunity to thank God for His provision in your life.  

5. Talk About His Goodness 

And finally, talk about it! Tell your friends when you are aware of how God is moving in your life. Share about His work and guidance in your life. Then, when others know that you are seeing Him move within your own life, your testimony might also drive them to pay more attention to His work in their own life. 

And most of all, sharing His work in your life with others is important because it praises Him, who is worthy of all honor, praise, and glory (Revelation 4:11)!