When God’s Math Doesn’t Make Sense: Three ways to Embrace the Equation
Iam not known for my math skills. I can conjure up answers to math questions that are quite erroneous, but with a smile on my face and pride in my heart, I feel I have the right answer and gladly proclaim it! However, those around me are faithful in letting me know I missed the mark of math again. It is not an insult; rather it is simply a reality. And, what I have come to accept is sometimes (most times for me) math is simply not going to make sense. Isn’t the same true of our lives at times?
God Math
It would seem sensible that life’s equations would have an expected outcome. For instance, if an injustice is committed, we woudl reason a response of justice. If a person wronged another, it would seem sensible that it would lead to resolution and reconciliation. Dreams deferred would equal an outcome worth waiting for. We often expect life to operate like a simple equation: hurt plus accountability/patience equals healing. Yet life rarely follows such predictable math.
Instead, we encounter unanswered questions, unresolved hurts, and outcomes that do not seem to add up. The apology never comes. The relationship is not restored. The opportunity of our dreams appears long gone. In these moments, we discover that life is not governed by the neat calculations we prefer but by God whose ways are higher than our ways and whose purposes often extend beyond what we can see (Isaiah 55:8-9). The challenge is that when life refuses to follow our equations, we often assume something has gone wrong. We begin to question ourselves, others, and sometimes even God. We wonder why obedience did not produce the outcome we expected, why faithfulness did not prevent disappointment, or why doing the right thing did not result in justice.
While our equations seek fairness, God's economy offers something different: a new life math. God's mathematics are not equivalent to our own. We calculate based on what is immediate and visible. God calculates with eternity in mind. We need only look at the cross and the resurrection to see this: death brings life, suffering brings salvation, and love conquers death and hell.
Although God's math often reaches beyond our understanding, living with unanswered questions and unresolved equations can be challenging. When life does not add up the way we expected, we are invited to trust a beyond our understanding. Below are three ways we can embrace God's math and grow in both wholeness and holiness.
Three Ways toEmbrace Equations that Do not Make Sense
1) Don’t expect to understand
In a world that thrives in logistics, we are trained to understand, to have reason for all things, to have a solution. We feel safe when we have solutions. However, God’s math does not always equal a nice and tidy solution with a bow on top. Like any complex equation, life contains variables we cannot see or fully understand. God's math includes factors beyond our perspective, knowledge, and timing.
Proverbs 3:5-7 (NLT) reminds us, “Trust in theLord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.”
As you see, we are never called to understanding or solutions; rather, we are called to trust in the One who is all knowing, the One who makes our paths straight. Faith requires us to trust that God sees what we cannot see and knows what we cannot know. While we may never understand every variable, we can trust the One who holds them all.
Living by faith is certainly easier said than done. We naturally want to know the facts before we make a move. We want the numbers to add up, the outcome to be clear, and the path ahead to make sense. However, God's math requires faith first.
Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” Living by faith requires us to trust God's solutions even when we cannot see His work. It means believing that He is present even if we can’t sense it, that He is working when nothing appears to be changing, and that His plans are unfolding even when the equation seems incomplete. Faith is not pretending we have all the answers or that we are content with not knowing all the answers; it is choosing to trust the One who does. When life does not add up according to our understanding, faith reminds us that God is still with us, still fighting for us.
3) Trust the formula
One reason life's equations often confuse us is that we believe God's primary goal is our comfort, success, or prosperity. Yet God is often writing a different equation than the one we expect. Romans 8:28 states, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” This verse is often misapplied in various circumstances leading people to believe that everything will equal good for all people. However, the ultimate objective of this verse is not fame, wealth, influence, or even an easy life—it is Christlikeness. As one author noted, "Christlikeness is God's unalterable plan for every believer."
This truth reshapes how we interpret life's outcomes. What appears to be a setback may actually be a tool for spiritual growth. What feels like a delay may be developing patience. What seems like a loss may be cultivating dependence upon God. While we often focus on what God is doing for us, He is equally concerned with what He is doing in us. God's equation is not simply about changing our circumstances; it is about transforming our character. When we trust His answer, even when we do not understand it, we can rest knowing that He is faithfully conforming us to the image of Christ.
Final Thoughts
Life is goingto keep going and if we keep waiting for the perfect solution to it, we will miss God’s hand in it. While God’s math may not always make sense, we can release expectations, live by faith, and trust God is working good in us. Even amid life’s uncertainties, we can allow Him to work out our life’s equations trusting “in your unfailing love; rejoicing because you will save me” (Psalm 13:5-6)