“Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?”
- Isaiah 43:19
One of the surprises of fall is the color. All summer, the leaves are green, or if you live in Texas, brown. As the heat gets hotter, everything starts to die. The grass turns brown, and the leaves curl at the edges of the trees.
Then something changes. You wake up one morning, open the door, and instead of a furnace hitting you in the face, cool air hits you. And with that comes the vibrant colors of fall: reds, oranges, yellows, and gold. I love it!
Colors appear that were there all along, but we couldn't see. Sometimes life works that way. A difficult season can reveal things in us that we didn't know were there: strength, grit, courage, compassion, faith, or patience.
Sometimes we don't discover who we are until circumstances require us to become someone new. The hardship doesn't create God in us. It reveals what He has been developing. Maybe you're walking through something difficult right now and wondering why God allowed it. I don't know the answer to every why. I have many questions for Jesus when I see Him. And maybe when I see Him, those questions won’t matter anymore. I don’t know. But I do know that God can bring beauty from seasons we never would have chosen. While I never would have chosen divorce or being a single mom, it has shaped me into a more compassionate and loving person. I’ve been able to help other single moms with what I have learned. And God has used the pain to help me grow in my giftings.
While the colors were always inside the leaves, the seasons revealed them. And perhaps there are things God has planted inside you that this season will reveal too.
What has a difficult season revealed about you? What strength or faith has God developed in you? Can you trust Him to bring beauty from this season?
Prayer: Jesus, please use every season of my life to make me more like You. When life is difficult, help me remember that You can reveal beauty I didn't know was there. Give me hope that joy will come again. Amen.
With Love,
Sherry Shepherd
God’s work in our lives does not always look the way we imagined. Sometimes He brings beauty through unexpected circumstances, new seasons, changed plans, and answers that arrive in a different form than we expected.
Isaiah 43:19 invites us to pay attention—to notice where God is making a way, bringing new life, and asking us to trust Him beyond what feels familiar.
Journal & Reflect
- What new thing might God be beginning in your life?
- Where have your expectations differed from God’s direction?
- How have unexpected changes shaped your faith or character?
- What are you grieving from an old season?
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Isaiah 43:19 mean?
Isaiah 43:19 reminds us that God is able to bring new life, new direction, and new possibilities into our circumstances. He can make a way where we do not see one and invite us to notice His work with faith and expectation.
What does “a new thing” mean in this verse?
“A new thing” can refer to the fresh work God is doing in a person’s life, faith, relationships, calling, or circumstances. It does not always mean an easy or dramatic change. Sometimes it begins quietly through healing, growth, surrender, or a new perspective.
How can I trust God when life looks different than I expected?
Start by being honest with God about your disappointment or uncertainty. Then remind yourself of His faithfulness, surrender the outcome, and focus on the next step He has placed in front of you. Trust often grows one step at a time.
Does God bring purpose from unexpected seasons?
Yes. God can use unexpected seasons to deepen our faith, reveal new possibilities, shape our character, and prepare us for work we could not have anticipated. We may not see the full purpose immediately, but we can trust that He is present.
How can journaling help me process change?
Journaling creates space to name what you are feeling, grieve what has changed, recognize God’s faithfulness, and listen for His direction. It can help you move from simply reacting to a season to prayerfully reflecting on it.
What should I do when I cannot see what God is doing?
You do not need to see the entire path to take the next faithful step. Ask God for wisdom, remain open to His leading, and look for small signs of grace, provision, growth, and hope. His work may be unfolding before you in ways you do not yet perceive.
Prayer
Lord,
Thank You for being the God who makes all things new. When life looks different than I expected, help me trust that You are still present and at work.
Give me eyes to notice the new things You are doing, even when they begin quietly. Help me release my own plans and expectations so I can receive Your direction with an open heart.
Bring healing where I am grieving, courage where I am uncertain, and hope where I cannot yet see the way forward. Teach me to trust Your wisdom and believe that You can bring beauty and purpose from every season.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.
Message from Kara
Sometimes God’s work in our lives looks nothing like we imagined. The changes may feel confusing, and the colors of this new season may take time to understand. But even when the picture is unfinished, God is still creating something beautiful and purposeful.
If you are walking through an unexpected transition, I hope you remember that you are not forgotten or off course. Stay open to the new things God may be doing, and trust that He is gently leading you one step at a time.
With Love,
Kara
Applying this to your Daily Routine
Take time to reflect, pray, and process what God is teaching you through every season. Our Personalized Prayer Journal was designed to help you grow deeper in faith—one day at a time–turning intention into habit. Many people use journals to revisit verses like these and reflect throughout the week.
👉 Explore Personalized Scripture Products at www.papersunday.com
Today's devotional pairs beautifully with the Overflow Personalized Scripture Journal
If you’re still working through questions of who you are, these devotionals can guide you:
1 Peter 3:1 Devotional : Gentle & Quiet Strength
Genesis 39:9 Devotional • Choosing Integrity When No One Is Watching
