Is there something you're waiting on God to do right now?
Are you praying for a breakthrough in a difficult situation?
Hoping God will do something that you cannot do for yourself?
If you're like me, you probably have an idea of what that miracle would look like. I can remember how I imagined God might answer my prayers during a tumultuous pregnancy for my wife. At the same time, I was longing for circumstances to change in my career. I pictured how I would feel when the breakthrough finally came, and I had a vision for what it all would look like.
Unfortunately, God didn't move on my timeline or act according to my expectations, and I really struggled with that. Perhaps you've felt that same sense of disappointment.
But, in that season, I learned more about how God works. I started asking myself, “What if experiencing a miracle feels nothing like you expected?” That's the surprising idea behind Tauren Wells' song, "What a Miracle Feels Like." The inspiration for "What a Miracle Feels Like" came from a sermon preached by Pastor Steven Furtick.
During an interview with The JOY FM, Wells explained how Furtick's message challenged the way he thought about miracles. "Everybody wants to experience the miracle, but they don't want to go into the fiery furnace," Wells shared. Furtick's sermon explored how many of the miracles recorded in Scripture began with frightening circumstances. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had to enter a blazing furnace. A few chapters later, Daniel faced a den of hungry lions. In Mark 5, a woman suffering from years of bleeding had to push through a crowd to reach Jesus. We love reading about how these stories ended, but we often overlook what these people experienced before God intervened.
Moved by the message, Wells contacted Furtick to ask whether he'd written a song about it. When Furtick said he hadn't, they arranged to write one together. Wells traveled to Charlotte, where they collaborated with songwriter Josh Holiday, and "What a Miracle Feels Like" was born.
Reflecting on the song, Wells shared an observation."The crazy thing about a miracle is you usually feel like you're furthest away from it when it is closest to you." That observation reminds me of the crossroads moment in Daniel 3. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced an impossible choice: worship King Nebuchadnezzar's idol or face death in a blazing furnace.
Their response reveals the kind of faith we’re still marveling at over 2,500 years later. They believed God was powerful enough to rescue them, but they weren't certain He would. "If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn't, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up." (Daniel 3:17–18, NLT)
The three men were thrown into the furnace, but when the king looked inside, he saw something astonishing. Instead of three men, he saw four walking around unharmed. God hadn't kept them from entering the fire. However, He did meet them in the middle of it.
I wonder how often we miss what God is doing because we're so focused on what we want Him to do. When He doesn't remove our difficulties or change our circumstances, we assume our miracle hasn't arrived. But the story in Daniel 3 reminds us that God's presence in our suffering can be just as miraculous as His power to deliver us from it.
In the chorus of "What a Miracle Feels Like," Wells sings, "Even in the middle, I'm singing my song." That lyric captures the heart of the song. We don't have to wait until our circumstances change to worship God. We can acknowledge our pain while trusting that God is still at work.
During his interview with The JOY FM, Wells also offered encouragement to people who are walking through heartbreaking circumstances. He reminded listeners that the gospel doesn't require us to pretend everything is okay. "The gospel does not lead us into an inauthentic joy or a fake smile. It actually empowers us to find the joy beneath the grief." If you’re still waiting for a miracle, I pray that you remember that you don’t have to deny how difficult your circumstances are to believe God is present with you.
In a Facebook video, Wells celebrated the stories listeners have shared about the song. "I'm loving seeing how God is moving in your lives and how you're choosing to worship him even in the middle of the chaos," he shared.
Looking back on those seasons when I was praying for my wife's pregnancy and hoping for a breakthrough in my career, I can see how much I missed because I was hyper-focused on what I wanted God to do. I didn't recognize all the ways He was meeting me in the middle of those difficult circumstances. The miracle didn't always look or feel the way I expected. But, God moved in mighty ways anyway!
If you're still waiting for God to answer a prayer today…
If your circumstances have not changed…
You likely don’t understand what God is doing yet.
But don't overlook the ways He may already be meeting you in the middle of your struggle. I pray that you don’t miss what He’s doing in ways you can’t see yet. After all, sometimes… that's what a miracle feels like.
Scott Savage is a pastor, author, and speaker who loves tacos, green tea, and sneakers. With more than twenty years of ministry experience, he teaches with a blend of Biblical truth, emotional awareness, and the compassion shaped by his own struggles.
Scott’s writing has impacted millionsdd through trusted platforms such as the YouVersion Bible App, Air1 Radio, and Our Daily Bread. He’s the author of Faith Behind the Song, a 40-day devotional book published in partnership with K-LOVE Books. Whether speaking on a stage or writing on a page, he offers a steady, empathetic voice that reassures people they are seen, loved, and not beyond God's healing reach. You can sign up to receive his weekly newsletter at ScottSavageLive.com today!
