When the world feels chaotic and the future uncertain, the Christian doctrine of providence offers a profound anchor for the soul. Providence — the belief that God sustains, governs, and directs all things according to His wise and good purposes — is not a peripheral doctrine but central to the Christian worldview.
The Heidelberg Catechism beautifully defines providence as “the almighty and ever-present power of God by which He upholds, as with His hand, heaven and earth and all creatures, and so rules them that leaf and blade, rain and drought, fruitful and lean years, food and drink, health and sickness, prosperity and poverty — all things, in fact, come to us not by chance but by His fatherly hand.”
This does not mean that everything that happens is good. The Bible is honest about evil, suffering, and injustice. But it does mean that nothing is outside of God’s sovereign care and that He is working all things together for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28).
Joseph, after years of betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment, could say to his brothers: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20). This is the testimony of every believer who has walked through suffering and found God faithful on the other side.