Things aren’t falling apart. They’re falling into place.
- Isabella Campolattaro
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.” Romans 8:28 (NLT)
There are times when it feels like the wheels have come off the bus and we’re careening down the highway with a load of screaming metaphorical children—and no brakes.
Sometimes it’s global chaos—a perfect storm of crises that seem unmanageable. Other times, it’s our own little universe collapsing due to something we did, didn’t do, or never saw coming.
Take heart, friend! You’re in great company. God is (still) large and in charge.
We're in Good Company
When Jesus cried out from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46; Psalm 22:1), He was suffering total rejection and unimaginable anguish—for our sake.
Three days later, everything changed. Light broke through the darkness.
Even in that moment of despair, Jesus knew the story wasn’t over.
That cry echoed King David’s words centuries earlier, likely written while being hunted by King Saul—betrayed, exhausted, and questioning God’s promise, so shiny early on. Yet those raw words became a timeless song of faith we still sing today.
With a God-given dream and his father's affection, Joseph soon met the same pain: sold by his brothers, enslaved, falsely accused, imprisoned for years—and yet he later said,
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.”
Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
At the low point, it looked desperate indeed. Very bad.
But God.
David rose to his throne.
Joseph rose to power.
Jesus rose from the grave.
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)
The fact is, it’s true. I’ve seen it firsthand—more than once. When I learned the baby I carried had a genetic anomaly—Down syndrome—it felt like everything had fallen apart. But that “broken” story became my breakthrough. My son Isaac has been a fountain of love, purpose, joy, and transformation. He’s also the reason I’ve now been able to write and contribute to countless books and devotionals.
At first, it felt like the bus was on fire and rolling downhill—but God was driving me somewhere sacred.
Sometimes the apparent catastrophe is leading to God's purpose.
Sometimes the thing that’s falling apart isn’t punishment—it’s protection. God is removing what can’t come into the next season.
Sometimes, the very thing that’s falling apart is something God never meant for us. He allows it to dismantle so He can rebuild something better—truer, freer, and more aligned with His plan.
Bottoms can look like divorce, job loss, jail time, or breakdowns. Yet they can become gateways to freedom and peace.
For some, where the wheels fall off is where we finally admit we’re powerless, and cry out to a power greater than ourselves to step in and to do what we could not do.
It’s funny-not-funny—how often even people of deep faith live like practical atheists, “helping” God rather than letting Him actually be God. (🙋🏽♀️ Guilty as charged, Your Honor.)
I imagine God saying gently, “Finally. Now I can fix this, my beloved. Sit down and rest. I’ve got this.”
Trauma May Be Your Superpower
Letting go and letting God may be the hardest act of faith. But He uses chaos, detours, and opposition to shape us, to direct us.
All of it.
If your story feels dramatic or unfair, you’re in good biblical company. God specializes in turning what the enemy meant for harm into glory. In fact, your trauma may be your superpower, building something greater, tungsten tough.
“And since we are His children, we are His heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share His glory, we must also share His suffering.”
Romans 8:17–18 (NLT)
PRACTICE
How has your past—or present—suffering produced something good in you? Strength, endurance, compassion, perseverance, purpose? Ask God to show you how He’s preparing you for glory.
PROMPT
Care to share a story? It helps you, me, and others!
PRAYER
Father, You say the fire, the crushing, and the pressure are where transformation happens—where gold is refined, diamonds are formed, and iron is forged. Grant me grace to endure and eyes to see Your purpose in the process. May I share and share in Your glory for Your glory. In Christ’s name, Amen. Thank You. I love You. 💖
Sometimes I wished I was never born because my mom was 37 when she had me.
All my body parts are weird, I have strange toes like my little toes that curl up, my
pinkies that will always be tiny. I can't lose weight, I just gain more and I never tan
I always freckle. I'm nearsighted and have to wear glasses. I couldn't get pregnant
no matter what others have told my brother! I do believe in Jesus and go to a
Methodist church every Sunday and I was in the choir along time ago.