Finding God in the Small Things: Why the Most Powerful Turning Points Are Often the Quietest

Some stories begin with a roar, but most of the stories that actually change our lives begin

with a whisper. We live in a world obsessed with the "big" moments. We wait for the massive promotion, the grand wedding, or the dramatic lightning bolt of inspiration to strike. In recovery, this tendency is amplified. We often find ourselves waiting for a spectacular spiritual awakening—the kind where the clouds part, the sun shines only on us, and we are magically healed of every craving and character defect in an instant. We want the fireworks, but we often find ourselves standing in the silence of an ordinary afternoon.

If you are waiting for a cinematic breakthrough before you believe God is working, you might be missing the very miracles happening right under your nose. The tension of recovery is often found in the gap between our expectations of a "grand rescue" and the reality of a slow, steady rebuilding. We feel the pressure to have a story that sounds like a movie, yet our actual lives are made of small conversations, strange timing, and people crossing our paths at just the right moment. The truth is that faith is rarely about the one giant leap; it is about the thousand tiny steps that eventually lead us out of the woods.

God doesn't always rush into our lives with a whirlwind. Sometimes, He meets us in the low whisper. When we stop despising the day of small things, we begin to see that the most instrumental moments of our lives aren't the ones we planned or the ones that looked "cool" on the outside. They are the quiet nudges that redirect our entire trajectory.

The Lie of the "Big Moment" and the Power of the Whisper

There is a verse in the book of First Kings that describes a man looking for God in a great wind, an earthquake, and a fire. But the Bible says God wasn't in any of those loud, powerful things. Instead, God was in a "low whisper" (1 Kings 19:12).  In recovery, we are often like that man. We look for God in the huge milestones—the one-year chip, the restored marriage, the big career comeback. We think if it isn't loud and life-altering right now, it must not be God.

This is one of the biggest lies addiction tells us: that if change isn't happening fast, it isn't happening at all. We want our ship righted immediately. But we didn't get into the dark hole of addiction overnight, and we usually don't walk out of it in a single day either. When we demand an instant epiphany, we end up trying to force a spiritual awakening that isn't ours to create. We try to manufacture a feeling or an experience just so our struggle will feel easier.

True awakening isn't something we control; it is something we receive by staying in constant contact with the Spirit.

When we stop trying to force the fireworks, we become available for the "God winks." These are those random moments that aren't actually random at all. It’s the phone call that comes exactly when you were thinking about a drink. It’s the stranger in a meeting who says the one thing you needed to hear, even if it’s something that stings at first. These small nudges are the building blocks of a new life. They are God’s way of slowing us down, softening our hearts, and reminding us that He is in the details.

The Instrumentality of the Ordinary

Think back on the turning points in your life. While we love to tell stories about the "big" events, the moments that actually changed the direction of our souls were likely much smaller. It might have been a two-minute conversation with an old-timer in a coffee shop. It might have been a sudden realization while reading a verse like Zechariah 4:10, which asks, "For who despises the day of small things?"

In the early days of recovery, everything can feel like it’s on fire. We are desperate for relief. We walk into rooms of recovery on a "pink cloud," hoping that because we’ve stopped the substance, life will immediately become wonderful. But the real work happens when the pink cloud evaporates and we are left with the mundane reality of daily life. This is where the small things become our lifeline.

There is a profound power in the "un-magical" moments. We might sit in a meeting and feel like we got nothing out of it. We might say a prayer that feels like it hit the ceiling and bounced back. We might have a conversation with someone where they tell us something we don't want to hear—perhaps even calling us out on our own nonsense. At the time, these moments can feel frustrating or even pointless. But in retrospect, they are often the most instrumental. They are the friction that wears down our ego and makes room for grace.

Faith as a Relationship, Not a Performance

One of the reasons we miss the small things is because we are often stuck in "religion" rather than "faith." Religion is about rules, pressure, and looking the part. It’s about making sure the "big" outward signs of our lives look perfect. But faith is a relationship. Relationships aren't built on one or two massive events; they are built on a million small interactions.

Many people walk away from God because they see the "hypocrites" in the church or feel judged by the rules. They look at the building instead of the Father. But God meets us exactly where we are—not where we think we’re supposed to be. He meets us in the messy, smoke-filled rooms of recovery just as much as He meets us in a cathedral. When we realize that faith is about staying connected rather than getting it right, the pressure to perform disappears.

When the pressure is gone, we can finally pay attention to the small ways God is moving. We stop worrying about whether we’re "doing it right" and start noticing how He is providing for us in the moment. Spiritual growth often only makes sense in reverse. You might not feel different today. You might feel stagnant or even like you're taking steps backward. But if you are still standing, still trying, and still open, God is working. One day you will look back and realize these little moments were shaping everything.

God doesn't move everyone in the same way, but He is always moving the needle for those who remain willing.

Building a Life One Day at a Time

The phrase "one day at a time" is a cliché for a reason: it’s the only way recovery actually works. When we look at the mountain of the future, we get overwhelmed. When we look at the wreckage of the past, we get discouraged. But when we focus on the small things of today, we find a path forward.

Recovery is about piling up small decisions made from a humbled place of love. It’s about choosing the "baby step" over the giant leap. But God doesn't give us five years of light all at once; He gives us a lamp for our feet—just enough light for the next step.

If you’re feeling hopeless today because you haven't had a "burning bush" experience, take heart. The fire isn't the only place God lives. He is in the friend who checks on you. He is in the quiet thought that tells you to keep going. He is in the small realization that you don't have to be perfect to be loved. These small things are the foundation of a recovery that lasts. They are the proof that you are not alone and that the Creator of the universe is intimately involved in the details of your healing.

The Beauty of the Slow Burn

Some people have a "lightning bolt" spiritual awakening, and that is a beautiful thing. But for many of us, it is a "slow burn." It is a gradual softening of the heart. It is the slow realization that we can't control everything, and the even slower process of actually letting go. This slow work is no less miraculous than a sudden explosion of faith. In fact, there is a special kind of beauty in a life that is rebuilt brick by tiny brick.

We have to be easy on ourselves. We have spent years, perhaps decades, moving in one direction. It takes time to right the ship. But as long as we are moving forward—even if those movements are so small they are invisible to the naked eye—we are not stagnant. We are being transformed.

The most profound turning points are rarely the ones that make the loudest noise.

Keep your eyes open for the "God winks" today. Pay attention to the small nudges. Don't discount the quiet work God is doing just because it didn't come with a soundtrack. Stay in it. Keep fighting. Team up with God and the people He has placed in your path. Together, you are building something really cool to look back at one day.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don't feel like I've had a spiritual awakening?

Do not worry if you haven't had a dramatic experience. For many, an awakening is a "slow burn" that is only recognizable when looking back. If you are seeking a relationship with God and staying open to His leading, the awakening is already happening in the small shifts of your heart.

How do I distinguish between a "God wink" and a coincidence?

While the world calls them coincidences, a person of faith sees them as divine appointments. If a "random" moment brings you peace, provides a solution, or nudges you away from a bad decision, treat it as a gift from God. Being thankful for these moments helps you notice them more often.

Why does God work through small things instead of just fixing everything at once?

God is more interested in a relationship with you than just a quick fix. Working through the small, daily moments keeps us dependent on Him and allows us to grow in character and faith over time. It ensures that the transformation is deep and lasting.

I feel like I'm not moving forward at all. What should I do?

Focus only on today. Recovery is built on "baby steps." If you stayed sober today, prayed, or reached out to someone else, you are moving. Trust that spiritual growth often makes sense only in reverse and keep doing the next right thing.

Call to Action

If you are looking for more encouragement on your journey, we invite you to explore the resources available at Back to the Bible (https://backtothebible.org). You can also find more honest conversations about faith and recovery by listening to the Alive & Sober Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or YouTube. You don't have to walk this path alone.

And if no one told you they love you today, we do.