Life throws obstacles in our path—illness, betrayal, uncertainty, loss—and our instinct is often to pray them away or hope for shortcuts. But what if God’s answer is not a detour, but a direction straight through the storm? This message, often summed up in the phrase “God wants you to go through it, not around it,” is a deeply biblical and personally transformative truth. It challenges our comfort zones but builds our character. This article explores what that really means, why it matters, and how it shapes who we become in our walk with God.
God’s Pattern: Transformation Through Trials
The Bible is full of stories where God’s people don’t get the easy way out. Think of the Israelites at the edge of the Red Sea. God didn’t lift them out or teleport them across—He parted the waters and had them walk through it. That moment, filled with fear and faith, was not a detour; it was their training ground. They had to trust God with every step between slavery and freedom.
Similarly, Jesus himself didn’t avoid suffering. In Gethsemane, He asked if the cup of suffering could pass from Him—but God’s answer was clear: go through it. The betrayal, crucifixion, and pain were not signs of God’s absence but of God’s plan for redemption.
David, Job, and the Long Road of Endurance
David was anointed king, yet spent years running from Saul. God could have removed Saul instantly, but instead, David was refined through fear, exile, and unjust persecution. That suffering trained him in leadership, dependence on God, and patience—qualities that made him a better king.
Job, who lost everything, didn’t get a free pass either. His restoration came after he went through the valley of loss, grief, and brokenness. His journey didn’t just restore his wealth—it deepened his faith.
Going Through Builds, Avoiding Destroys
We often want to avoid hard conversations, bad health diagnoses, or career setbacks. But avoidance isn’t faith—it’s fear. Faith is putting one foot in front of the other, even when you’re scared, and trusting God to meet you in it.
Avoidance leads to closed doors and forced choices. It steals our agency. But endurance builds strength. Romans 5:3-5 tells us that suffering produces perseverance, which builds character, which gives us hope—a hope rooted in God’s unfailing love.
From Formation to Fulfillment: The Purpose Behind Pain
God is not just interested in solving problems; He’s shaping people. He’s more focused on who you’re becoming than what you’re avoiding. Just like the Israelites were forged into a people during their 40 years in the desert, we too are being refined in the crucible of difficulty.
This formation is not punishment—it’s preparation. God is preparing us not just for better circumstances, but for eternity. Traits like courage, faith, patience, and love aren’t formed in comfort—they’re forged in hardship.
Modern Takeaway: Grit Is the New Grace
In our world of convenience and instant gratification, grit can feel old-fashioned. But spiritual growth doesn’t happen in microwaves. It happens in the slow burn of perseverance. When we face trials, God doesn’t stand on the sidelines—He walks with us.
And even when the outcome isn’t what we hoped for—whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a dream that doesn’t materialize, or ongoing health struggles—God is still present. He’s not necessarily changing our circumstances, but He’s changing us through them.
Conclusion: Walk Through with God
If you’re in a season where you’re praying for escape, it might be time to reframe the prayer. Maybe it’s not, “God, get me out of this,” but “God, walk me through this.” Because that’s where the real growth happens. That’s where faith becomes real.
We’re not being punished—we’re being prepared. When we choose to walk through instead of around, we’re choosing formation over frustration, growth over avoidance, and trust over fear. God is forming us into people who are wise, strong, and eternal. And He never lets us walk alone.