You Need God’s Presence, Not an Explanation - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - January 22, 2026

“We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NIV)

When tragedy strikes, when you hit the skids, when your life falls apart, when everything goes wrong, the typical reaction is to look for an explanation.

But sadly, explanations never, ever comfort. Even if you were given an explanation for your pain, it wouldn’t take the pain away. It wouldn’t shorten or lessen your grief. It wouldn’t make you less likely to choose resentment.

So don’t waste time in trying to find out the “why.” Why? First, our brains aren’t big enough to understand all that happens in the world. It’s like an ant trying to understand the internet. You’re just not going to know why a lot of things in your life happen until you get to heaven. It’s not going to make sense until you are standing before God. Then you will see clearly.

And until then? What you need when you’re going through a tough time is not an explanation. What you need is God’s presence. 

One of the reasons you can always be thankful even in your darkest days is the promise of Romans 8:28: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (NIV).

No matter how broken your life feels, if you give the pieces to God, he will bring good from them. He loves to turn crucifixions into resurrections and then bless the whole world by it. 

Whatever pain you’ve been holding onto and trying to understand, you need to surrender it to God today. Ask him for a renewed sense of his presence. Let him hold you together until everything is redeemed one day in heaven. Ask him to take your pain and use it to bless someone, as you trust him to use it for good.

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Rick Warren is an innovative pastor, renowned author, and global influencer known for founding Saddleback Church, the Purpose Driven Network, the PEACE Plan, and Hope for Mental Health. He has written several best-selling books, including The Purpose Driven Life, which has sold over 35 million copies in 200 languages. Time magazine named Warren the most influential spiritual leader in America and one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Since stepping down from the lead pastor role at Saddleback in 2022, Warren has continued to inspire people through his Daily Hope Devotional and podcast Pastor Rick’s Daily Hope. His first book in a decade, Created to Dream, was released in April 2023.

For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!

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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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