Read Matthew 1:18-24

Nothing prepares you for moments when life suddenly stops making sense. Joseph had dreams, expectations, and a clear path ahead—until everything shattered with the news of Mary’s pregnancy. From Joseph’s vantage point, it looked like betrayal. Nothing aligned with what he believed he knew about Mary or about his future. Yet right in the middle of confusion, God was already moving with purpose. Advent reminds you that confusion is not proof of God’s absence; it’s often the doorway to seeing His plan more clearly.

Joseph responded with compassion even in his confusion. He didn’t lash out. He didn’t make assumptions. His choice to act with mercy reveals a heart that trusted God even when circumstances seemed impossible to explain. When your plans fall apart, you have a choice too. You can cling to fear, or you can respond with a posture that leaves room for God to reveal what you cannot yet see. Confusion can actually prepare you for deeper trust.

God was not asking Joseph to understand everything—He was asking him to stay open to what God might be doing. You can experience the same invitation. Confusion often strips away the illusion of control. It reminds you that you don’t hold your future in your hands. But it also positions you to see a God who is working in ways that surpass human understanding. Jesus enters the world not through perfectly aligned circumstances but through a story filled with questions. This is good news: God’s faithfulness is not hindered by your confusion.

When plans collapse, God’s purpose doesn’t. What feels like chaos to you may be the exact place where God is unfolding something far bigger than you imagined. In Joseph’s case, the confusion surrounding Mary’s pregnancy was the very moment God was launching His plan of salvation. If God can redeem that kind of confusion, He can redeem yours. You are not abandoned in the questions. God is closer than you think, writing a story you will one day see with clarity.

Reflection Questions:

• What part of Joseph’s confusion resonates most with your own experiences?
  
• How does Joseph’s compassionate response challenge your perspective?
  
• Where in your life do you feel “in the dark” right now?
  
• How might God be inviting you to trust Him in this confusing place?

Journaling Prompt:

Write about a situation where your plans have fallen apart. Invite Jesus to meet you in the confusion and reshape your perspective with His presence.