Questions flooded my mind as I sat on my porch swing after a tough day. God, where are you in this situation? What is the lesson here? I want to see your hand in this, but I’m struggling.
Injustice can blindside us, especially when it comes from people we love. Whether a family member, close friend, organization, or leader, it feels soul-crushing. We’ve all felt those blows at different times in our lives. In talking with a friend earlier this month, she described the feeling as a “gut punch.” She was walking through injustice and broken trust and had thoughts and questions.
“Lisa, it just seems like those who throw the punches get away with it. How can they walk away without a blemish after they have crushed a soul? How can they do this and be unscathed?”
These questions come up a lot, and I’ve even asked them myself. As I’ve journeyed through betrayals, I’ve learned many lessons by asking questions. I recently read Lisa Tykheurst’s book, I Want to Trust You, But I Don’t. It resonated with me in every way, and I highly recommend it. Here’s what she said about those feelings of injustice and hurt: “I imagined myself writing in my journal one day: ‘Look how God defended me. His justice finally came about. Look at how He brought it all together better than ever. This all makes sense now. I can finally exhale.’ But I still don’t have that page in my journal. I have 
not yet seen the justice of God in several situations. And maybe I won’t on this side of eternity. There’s a lot of goodness in my life now, but I still have to fight hard not to entertain bitterness that invites me to pitch a tent right in the unfairness and camp out in it.”
I found such clarity in her words. The realization that justice may not come in this lifetime brought me an unexpected peace because what matters most is God’s constant presence. In choosing not to dwell in bitterness, I am refusing to give the enemy a stronghold. Looking back, these challenges reveal themselves as stepping stones to growth. My heart has softened toward those who hurt me, and I understand their actions are often a result of their deep pain. This perspective makes it easier to release the hurt. I’ve learned to recognize God’s protection in the relationships that He has steered me away from. These separations aren’t easy but necessary for God’s greater purpose.
Some of my greatest blessings came not from answered prayers but from the protection God gave me from the unanswered ones. In the pulling away, the silence, the “No” when I wanted “Yes,” God shaped my path and protected my purpose. His wisdom far exceeds my understanding, and I’m deeply grateful for that.
God remains steadfast in our darkest moments when answers seem far away. His presence never leaves us through tears of frustration, nights of questioning, and days when nothing makes sense. Our pain matters to Him. Our struggles are seen. Our questions are heard.
When justice seems delayed, remember that God’s timeline extends beyond our earthly understanding. He holds every tear, every broken promise, every unanswered prayer. When the weight of injustice feels unbearable, lean into this truth: You are not walking this path alone.
God is with you in this moment and every day ahead. His presence brings comfort and gives us the strength to keep moving forward, one step at a time. Don’t give up. God is standing with you in the waiting and can turn your patience into purpose.