Intro

God plays an active role in your life, He is always working things for you. The more you can recognize His engagement with your life, the more personally you can relate and appreciate His presence.  The more you embrace Him, the more you will see value to make Him Lord of your life. The more completely you yield and make Him Lord, the more He can help you become the person He intended when He put you here. Until you make Him first in your life you are vulnerable to temptations in this fallen world, and temptations lead to destruction.  During my journaling, God made a point that even Cain could have avoided his demise if he was willing to put God first in his life.   (from journaling with Jesus 3/12/25)

God’s presence is experienced in a very personal way.  Sometimes it is bold and powerful, other times it is subtle and nuanced. Recognizing His hand in our lives can bring peace, purpose, and guidance as we grow in our walk of faith. In this post, we explore what it means to see God’s hand, why it’s essential to recognize it,  and practical ways to discern His work over the course of your journey.

What Is God’s Hand?

God plays an active role in your life, He set you up for this life and He is always working things to help you learn and grow. God operates from the invisible spiritual realm, and His actions impact our spiritual journey and often manifest in our physical world. All the actions he takes to set you up and guide you through your life are considered actions of his hand. God’s hand can manifest in numerous ways, each personal and unique.  Here are several ways God works in you life.

God Has Many Thoughts and Intentions For You:

You are far from a random occurrence. God thought long and hard about you.  He designed you uniquely for a purpose.

 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.  Jeremiah 1:5

Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works Which You have done; And Your thoughts toward us Cannot be recounted to You in order; If I would declare and speak of them, They are more than can be numbered. Psalm 40:5

Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them. Psalm 139:16

God Formed You In The Womb:

For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.  Psalm 139:13-15

God Has Plans For You:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

God Guides Your Steps:

The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps. Proverbs 16:9

God Teaches You:

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Psalm 32:8

God Works In You:

For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

Fingerprints of God’s Hand / Clues of His Intentions

God works things from the invisible spiritual realm so you don’t directly see Him in action. He does leave fingerprints on His actions in your life. Sometimes you can detect His action in your life if you pause, reflect, tune in and look for them:

Gifts:

The skills or talents, and interests or passions you possess are divine gifts. The skills that come naturally to you are tools for you to be productive and useful in the world.  The interests and passions you have are there to set you in a direction. Both of these come in seed form.  If you nurture them, God’s gifts will develop, mature, blossom and bear fruit in your life. Whether you’re musically inclined, gifted in art, or have a knack for mathematics, fixing mechanical things, or leadership, these abilities are clues about God’s intentions for you.

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights. James 1:17

Inner Calling:

That persistent inner voice urging you toward a particular vocation, ministry, or life path is God’s hint about the path He has in front of you. These callings may direct you to serve others, change your career, or step into a new relationship.

For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose. Philippians 2:13

Significant Events and People:

Look for patterns or key moments in your life; unexpected meetings, turning points, or even seemingly random acts of kindness. These are God’s way of opening doors to experiences or guiding you to someone who will impact your journey.     

God works all things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

Challenges or Trials:

Difficult circumstances shape your inner character, if you try to endure them alone you will discover your limitations, if you choose to partner with God, you will draw closer to Him. Through trials, God exposes your limitations, refines your heart, teaches perseverance and deepens your trust in Him.

Suffering produces endurance, endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and that this hope will not disappoint us because God’s love has been poured into our hearts. Romans 5:3-5

Inner Convictions and Voices:

The conscience or “voice in your mind” that convicts you when you stray from the truth is another way God communicates. This inner prompt helps keep you aligned with His will and encourages repentance when needed.

 And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment. John 16:8

But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. John 14:26

Revelation From Nature and Creation:

When you find yourself in awe of a sunset, the intricate beauty of a flower, or the majesty of a starry night, you are experiencing God’s handiwork. Nature speaks to our soul, reminding us of the Creator’s power and love.

The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Psalm 19:1

Answered Prayers:

God answers prayers when they are aligned with His will and spoken in faith. If you can recognize God’s supernatural interventions in your life, it opens the door to faith in even more challenging times.

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24 

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7

And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.1 John 5:14

Supernatural Inflow:

Vivid dreams and visions, or moments of sudden clarity are signs of His guidance. Even in everyday occurrences, God’s hand is guiding your steps.

And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. Acts 2:17

Why Take The Time to Identify God’s Hand In Your Life?

You are an eternal soul living in a temporary earthly body. You are here to develop your inner character which will serve as a foundation for an eternal life in the heavens. 

It is important to notice God’s hand in your life so that you can deepen your relationship with Him, align with His intentions, gain the benefits in this life and the next, and avoid unnecessary consequences.

Foundation of Faith:

Recognizing that God is actively involved in your life reinforces your faith. When you see His influence in both joyous moments and challenges, you are reminded that you are not walking alone.

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6

Divine Protection and Blessings:

When you make God the center of your life, you are covered by His protection and blessings.

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Psalm 91:1-2

 “all things work together for good to those who love God”. Romans 8:28

Openness to Guidance:

Acknowledging God’s hand makes you more receptive to His ongoing input. As you learn to recognize His signs, you become better equipped to make decisions that honor His will, reducing the impact of temptations and negative influences, and releasing your full potential.

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:10

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. James 4:10

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 16:25

Strength in Adversity:

Even in difficult times, knowing that God is at work can encourage perseverance. When life’s storms come, trusting in His plan provides hope and the courage to move forward.

How To Discern God’s Hand In Your Life:

We live in a natural world where many things appear to be random. You can often discern something that God is doing when you step back and notice a non–random activity

Practical steps can help you open your eyes to see God’s activity in your life:

Reflection and Meditation:

Dedicate time to quiet reflection and prayer. Meditation on scripture and silence in nature can open your heart to His presence.

Ask God for eyes to see—“Lord, give me eyes to see Your hand at work in my life.”

Prayer Log:

Maintain a prayer log. Write down your prayers and revisit them to see how God has answered over time. This not only strengthens your faith but also provides a personal record of God’s faithfulness.

Journaling:

Start journal where you record significant events, your thoughts, significant lessons you are learning. Over time, you will notice patterns that reveal His hand at work in your life.

Interactive Journaling

As part of your journaling activity, conduct two-way dialog with God. Quiet yourself, Set your mental focus on Jesus, Ask Him Questions, Listen carefully, and write down his reply. Once you get His input, test it to ensure it is from Him. As you become proficient in this dialog, you can gain wonderful insights on His perspective of situations you face. See my Blog post for more detailed instructions or contact me for a coaching session. < Link to How To Hear God’s Voice>

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God… James 1:5 

Community and Accountability:

Sharing your experiences with trusted friends or a faith community can help you discern God’s work. They might see connections and blessings in your life that you overlook.

Learn More About God:

The Bible is filled with examples of how God communicates with His people and how He works in their lives. As you immerse yourself in scripture, you’ll learn to recognize His voice and His hand more clearly in your life.

Call to Action:

Take the time to reflect, Identify God’s hand in your life, declare it, and find a way to share it.

1. Take Note: Use this word document as a worksheet to work through and capture the various ways God is working in your life. <Worksheet>
2. Declare It: Fill in the blanks in the prayer below ( ast page of worksheet) to recognize and declare how God has worked in your life
3. Share It: Find a least one avenue to share the key aspects of your spiritual journey.  

Declaration:

“Lord Jesus, Thank You for your hand in my life, I see evidence of your hand in so many places in my life.
Lord, you have worked in my life in so many ways:

• •  You formed me in the womb and put me here for such a time as this. This has been a very special time because…..
  •  You have given me Gifts in the form of Talents and Skills.
    • I am good at… .
    • Certain things come easily for me, including…..
    • I now see I can be helpful and useful to others by… .
  • You presented opportunities to develop my skills.
    • I developed my skills by… .
    • I put them to practical use while I…
  • You gave me passions and interests to guide me.
    • I really enjoy doing…
    • I feel great satisfaction when I…
  • You gave me a deep Calling. I feel compelled to work on <this problem/opportunity>.
  • You facilitated many remarkable events which shaped my life.
    • My life was changed when <this?  happened. It helped me <Experience, Learn, Discover, Practice Something?>
  • You brought special people into my life.
    • My life was influenced by my experiences with <this person>.
    • They helped me by < teaching, showing, supporting, challenging>
  • You have been doing a work in me, molding me, shaping me, changing me.
    • Early in my life I was <somehow less mature>
    • Now I am <eyes opened, more mature>….
    • The key part of this change was <events? experience?, learnings?>
  • You continue to convict me and teach me.
    • You helped me recognize when I was missing the mark when I was <thinking, saying or doing something not so great>.
    • You lead me to the truth so I could be a better person when you showed me <improved thoughts/words/behaviors> which helped me <be more helpful>.
  • You have helped me hear Your voice and learn to follow.
    • I first heard your voice when <something happened>.
    • I now routinely hear your voice when I <get to a quiet place? Ask/listen?, pray? Journal?>
  •  You continue to present opportunities for me to serve others and be useful.
    • I found folks in need when I <look in certain directions or do what activities>.
    • I am able to help them by <doing what?>
    • You set me up for this work by <what prior learning or shaping prepared you>

Lord, I am grateful that you love me and care so much about me and my journey. You ARE with me, and the more I can align with You, the more You can work in me and work through me. This is all a journey to mold me for my eternal good, to provide good for the kingdom, and to bring you glory. Thank you for being with me and helping me on this journey. I speak this in Jesus’ name, Amen.”

Conclusion

By embracing these practices and reflecting on these truths, you can open your heart to see the many ways in which God’s hand is at work in your life. Whether through the beauty of nature, the guidance of scripture, the significant events in your life, His subtle voice speaking and leading you in the right direction, or the supportive voices around you, His presence is ever near—guiding, protecting, and blessing you. The more you can appreciate His hand in your life, the more you can trust Him on your journey. The more you trust Him, the more He can help you become the person He intended when He put you here.

References:

Here is my bible study session on this topic <Link to Video>   Here is the presentation from that session <Link to PDF>

Here is a link to the worksheet to help you identify God’s hand <Worksheet>