God Does Not Make Mistakes
Finding Hope and Purpose Even When Life Hurts
In a broken world of pain, loss, tragedy, and seemingly unanswered prayers, the biblical truth that God does not make mistakes stands as an unshakable anchor. This isn't a denial of suffering — it's the foundation for enduring it with hope, purpose, and even thankfulness.
Whether you're facing illness, grief, financial ruin, relational brokenness, or overwhelming trials, Scripture affirm: God is sovereign, wise, good, and works all things for His glory and our ultimate good.
Would you ever imagine being thankful for fleas? Yes, the fleas! Read on to find out how God use fleas to help fulfill His plan… a reminder to be thankful during tough situations as we may not always see the bigger purpose.
The Foundation: God’s Perfect Character Cannot Err
God cannot make mistakes because He is perfect in knowledge, power, and goodness. God does not make mistakes and God does not lie (Titus 1:2; Hebrews 6:18). Attributing error to God’s Word or plans undermines His holiness. This is reinforced in Genesis: Creation was declared “very good” (Genesis 1:31).
“in hope of eternal life, which God, who can’t lie, promised before time began”
“that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we may have a strong encouragement, who have fled for refuge to take hold of the hope set before us.”
Suffering and death entered through human sin (Genesis 3), not divine error. God’s design was flawless; our rebellion introduced brokenness. See The Fall of Man in genesis 3.
Be Thankful for Difficult Situations: Why and How
One of the most powerful truths in Scripture is that we should give thanks even in trials.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 commands: “In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.” Not for every evil, but in every circumstance, knowing God wastes nothing.
The Fleas in Barracks #28 – Corrie ten Boom’s Story
In the Nazi concentration camp Ravensbrück, Corrie ten Boom and her sister Betsie were crammed into Barracks 28 — overcrowded, filthy, and swarming with fleas. Corrie recoiled in disgust. But Betsie insisted they obey Scripture and thank God for everything, including the fleas. Corrie struggled but joined in.
Those fleas became one of God’s greatest blessings. The guards refused to enter the barracks because of the infestation. This allowed the sisters to hold open Bible studies, prayer meetings, and share the gospel with hundreds of suffering women — many coming to faith in Christ. Only later did they learn the full protection the fleas provided.
God does NOT make mistakes
What seemed like a curse was a divine shield. Corrie later wrote that the fleas taught her God is never mistaken and can turn any horror into holy ground.
Fanny Crosby: Thankful for Blindness
As an infant, Fanny Crosby was blinded by a doctor’s tragic mistake. Rather than bitterness, she embraced God’s providence with radical thankfulness. She declared: “It seemed intended by the blessed Providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank Him for the dispensation.”
She even said she would thank the doctor over and over for making her blind, because it freed her from distractions and enabled her to write more than 8,000 hymns that still bless the church worldwide today.
Fanny understood that her “disability” was no mistake — it was part of God’s perfect plan to produce beauty and praise that sighted people might never have created.
Other Powerful Examples of Thankfulness in Trials
Joseph: Betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery, falsely imprisoned. Yet he told them, “…you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good…” (Genesis 50:20). His suffering positioned him to save nations from famine — including his own family. No mistake — pure providence.
Paul and Silas: Beaten and thrown in prison with their feet in stocks. At midnight they were praying and singing hymns to God (Acts 16:25). Their praise led to an earthquake, the jailer’s salvation, and freedom — not just for them, but for others. Paul later wrote most of his encouraging letters from prison.
These stories echo James 1:2-4: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
No “Oops” Moments: God’s Absolute Sovereignty
John MacArthur makes this crystal clear: “Nothing is by chance. Nothing is happenstance. Nothing is a surprise to Him. Nothing is outside His box. There are no, ‘Oops, how did that happen?’ to God. It is all within the framework of His plan.”
God does not cause evil, but He sovereignly permits and weaves even darkness into His purposes. God can take your greatest misery and turn it into ministry. Suffering under God’s control refines faith rather than random chaos.
Suffering Does Not Mean God Failed You
This is where the truth shines brightest in darkness. God took the worst evil — the crucifixion of His innocent Son — and turned it into the greatest good: salvation for believers. If He redeemed deicide (killing God), He can redeem your diagnosis, loss, or heartbreak. God did not “make a mistake” by allowing it — He planned it from eternity for our rescue (Acts 2:23, 4:27-28).
Folsom Bible Church’s Theology of Suffering series explores the reality, role, and response to suffering under God’s sovereign hand. Trials produce endurance, character, and hope (Romans 5:3-5).
Amid cultural storms, we can be reminded that God’s plan includes using ordinary (and extraordinary) people for eternal impact — no accidents in His story.
Practical Ways to Be Thankful in Your Hard Season
Thank God for Who He Is — Even when circumstances scream otherwise. His character never changes.
Look for Hidden Protection or Purpose — Like the fleas, your “annoyance” may be shielding you or preparing you to minister to others.
Ask the Right Question — Instead of “Why me?”, ask “How can this draw me closer to Christ and help others?”
Cling to Romans 8:28 — “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those who are called according to his purpose.”
Remember the End of the Story — Present suffering “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which will be revealed toward us.” (Romans 8:18).
You Are Not a Mistake—This Pain Is Not Random
God crafted you intentionally (Psalm 139). Your circumstances, though painful, are not outside His loving control. Knowing sovereign God brings profound comfort — not fatalism, but peace.
If you’re in a season of suffering, take heart: God does not make mistakes. He is writing a story that ends in glory.
He is writing a masterpiece where the hardest chapters often reveal the brightest light. Choose thankfulness today — it may be the very key that unlocks blessing for you and others.
