Is God About to do Something Big?

This post is part of a series exploring popular Christian sayings, examining them through the lens of Scripture to uncover Truth and encourage Biblical thinking.

If you’ve been part of Christian circles for any length of time, you’ve probably heard this phrase:

If the devil has been attacking you lately, it means God is about to do something big in your life.

This statement is often shared as encouragement when someone is going through hardship. It’s usually offered with the intent to uplift and provide a sense of hope and purpose amid trials. The implication is clear: if life feels difficult, it’s because the devil is working overtime to thwart an imminent, extraordinary blessing from God.

But is this idea biblically sound?

When This Phrase is Used and Why It Appeals

This quote often arises when life feels overwhelming. Perhaps someone is facing rejection, relational conflict, illness, or loss. In these moments, we long to know there’s a purpose behind our suffering. We want assurance that what we’re enduring isn’t random or wasted.

For many, this saying provides comfort. It suggests a narrative:

• The devil is fighting hard because…
• God is about to intervene in a big way!

It feels empowering to frame hardship as evidence of spiritual significance. But while it sounds uplifting, this idea is not rooted in Scripture.

The Devil is Not Omnipotent or Omnipresent

One of the issues with this saying is the implied power it gives to Satan. Scripture is clear: the devil is neither omnipotent (all-powerful) nor omnipresent (present everywhere at all times). He is a created being, subject to God’s sovereign authority.

Colossians 1:15-23 beautifully reminds us of Christ’s supremacy:
“For by Him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.”

The devil may prowl like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8), but he operates only within the limits God permits. The idea that Satan’s schemes indicate God’s timeline or plans elevates his role far beyond what Scripture teaches.

Hardship: The Devil’s Attack or Our Own Sin?

It’s also important to recognize that not all hardships are direct attacks from Satan. Much of what we experience comes from living in a fallen world and wrestling with our sinful nature (James 1:14).

• Struggling with pride, envy, or anger? That’s the flesh at war with the Spirit (Galatians 5:17).
• Facing conflict or consequences of poor decisions? These often stem from sin, whether our own or someone else’s.

This doesn’t mean Satan never acts. There are times when trials may come as part of spiritual warfare, as Paul describes in Ephesians 6:10-18. However, attributing every difficulty to Satan overlooks the broader picture of God’s purpose in suffering.

God’s Sovereign Plan in Our Trials

God is sovereign over all things. Nothing comes into our lives without first passing through His hands. Scripture teaches us that God works all things for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). This includes both blessings and hardships.

James 1:17 tells us:
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.”

Psalm 84:11 assures us that He withholds no good thing from those who walk uprightly. Even when circumstances seem dire, God is not holding back goodness. What we endure is for our ultimate sanctification.

Suffering for Christ’s Sake

Hebrews 5:8 reveals that Jesus Himself learned obedience through what He suffered. If suffering was a tool for the sanctification of the sinless Son of God, how much more might it be so for us?

The apostles in Acts 5 rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Christ’s name. This kind of rejoicing comes not from a promise of imminent relief or “something big” around the corner, but from a recognition that God uses suffering to conform us to the image of Christ.

Distinguishing Truth from Half-Truths

Satan’s oldest trick is distorting truth. The phrase we’re examining sounds good, but it mixes truth with error:

• Truth: Trials can distract us from God and tempt us to lose focus.
• Distortion: The devil’s schemes always signal that “something big” is coming.

Yes, the devil hates what God loves. Yes, he works to distort, distract, and destroy. But his efforts do not dictate God’s plans. God’s purposes for us are centered on our Christ-likeness, not on worldly success, comfort, or even milestones in our faith journey.

What Should We Say Instead?

When someone is suffering, we don’t need to rely on catchy phrases or unbiblical ideas. Instead, we can point them to the hope and truth of Scripture:

• God is sovereign and loves you deeply (Psalm 139:13-18).
• He is working all things for your good and His glory (Romans 8:28).
• He gives good gifts and withholds no good thing from His children (James 1:17, Psalm 84:11).
• Even in suffering, you can rejoice, knowing it is not wasted (Hebrews 5:8, Acts 5:41).

God’s plans are not contingent on the devil’s actions. His purposes stand firm, and His ultimate goal is that we be conformed to the image of His Son.

So, let’s hold fast to the truth and rest in His sovereignty, even amid trials. Let’s encourage one another not with empty promises of “something big,” but with the assurance that we are always held in the hands of a good and faithful God.