”BUT GOD”

“But God”—two words I have repeated so many times over the past few years.
Have you ever found yourself in a place where you look around and ask, “But God… why?”
When the things you prayed for didn’t happen…
When life took you somewhere you never expected…
When the door you believed God had opened suddenly closed right when you thought the answer had come?

This has been my story.

I’ve had prayers that felt unanswered, dreams I held tightly to, and moments when I thought breakthrough had finally come—only for God to shut the door. But even in all of this, one truth remained: God reminded me that His plans for me are still good.
“For I know the plans I have for you… plans to give you hope and a future.” — Jeremiah 29:11

And He reminded me through the people He placed around me.

Sometimes you can be in a place you don’t particularly like—maybe even a place you know isn’t your final destination—but somehow God’s favor still follows you there. You want something different, something more, but God keeps you where you are… at least for a season.
And those seasons where we feel stuck?
Those are often the seasons that build us—our character, our patience, our humility, and our love and compassion.
“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” — Romans 5:3–4

For those who have followed me since I started writing… the Ally I was then and the Ally I am now feel like two different people. Life has shaped me in ways I didn’t expect. When I read my old blog posts, I can barely recognize that girl.

As someone who grew up Christian—faith-filled home, Christian schools—I sometimes believed certain things would never happen to me. I felt almost “safe” from certain mistakes or challenges.

But life humbled me.

I found myself in situations I never imagined. Even my loved ones didn’t know what I was facing.
BUT GOD—He rescued me, carried me, and pulled me out of places I was never meant to stay in.
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” — Psalm 73:26

Through it all, I learned not to judge others because you truly never know how you would respond in the same situation. I had to ask God for mercy—for judging without understanding, for assuming I’d never fall where others had fallen.
Grace is not just something we receive. It is something we must give.

I remember one particular day when I was completely discouraged. I asked God, “It’s been years… when will things change?”
And again, BUT GOD brought encouragement through people who spoke life into me.

Recently, I had an injury that forced me into my first-ever medical leave—two full weeks. I was in excruciating pain, and again I asked, “But God…?”
Yet even in that moment, God gave me something precious: time with my family—something work had taken from me for so long.

During those two weeks we talked, prayed, shared ideas, dreamed and encouraged each other

After a year that stretched me in every direction, God used that painful pause to refill me.
Sometimes what feels like a setback is actually God giving you rest.
Sometimes the “stuck” place is not punishment—it’s preparation.
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” — Romans 5:8
If He loved us before we ever got our lives together, imagine how much He is with us now.

You may be in a season where nothing makes sense.
You may feel tired, stuck, or discouraged.
But sometimes God isn’t moving you because He is still teaching you, strengthening you, and building you for the moment your breakthrough arrives.

“You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…” — Genesis 50:20

Your story may not look the way you imagined.
Your prayers may seem delayed.
Your heart may feel weary.

But God sees you.
But God knows the plans He has for you.
But God has not forgotten you.
But God is working behind the scenes even when you don’t feel it.

And when the time is right—
when the lessons sink in,
when your heart is ready,
when your faith is strengthened—
God’s “BUT GOD” moment will make sense.

Hold on.
Endure the season.
Let God shape you in the hidden places.Because one day, you will look back and say with certainty:
“I didn’t understand it then… BUT GOD.”