Every week in the studio, I have the privilege of sitting down with extraordinary guests who open their hearts and share their deepest truths. But every so often, a conversation takes place that changes the energy in the room entirely. My recent interview on Bridges with recording artist, speaker, and author Tammy Trent was one of those unforgettable moments. Tammy joined me to discuss her latest book, Where Are You Now, God? We wrestled with a question that almost everyone whispers in the dark at some point. Where is God when life falls apart and the silence feels deafening?
When the studio lights are bright and the cameras are rolling, it can be easy for guests to default to polished, canned answers. But Tammy brought a rare, unfiltered vulnerability. Drawing from her own journey through profound grief—most notably losing her husband, Trent, in a sudden accident—she didn’t offer neat, tidy answers or trite clichés. Instead, she offered raw honesty, biblical depth, and a powerful reminder that God is not intimidated by our hardest questions.
Here are three invaluable secrets from the studio, and practical takeaways from my time with Tammy that can help you navigate your own seasons of doubt or pain.
Permission to Ask the Hard Questions
We often feel guilty for asking God why or where are you? One of the greatest secrets Tammy shared is that God doesn’t disqualify us for having doubts or asking tough questions. Bringing your raw pain to God is actually an act of intimacy, not lack of faith. Don’t suppress your tears or hide your confusion; lay them honestly at His feet.
Name the Hidden Wounds
Healing cannot begin until we acknowledge where we are truly hurting. In our interview, Tammy emphasized that pain left in the dark tends to redefine how we view God and ourselves. Take time this week to journal, pray, or talk with a trusted friend about the specific disappointments you’ve been carrying. Naming the pain takes away its power to isolate you.
Look for Presence, Not Just Answers
We often spend all our energy searching for a reason why bad things happen, but Tammy reminded us that God promises His presence, not always an immediate explanation. Even when He feels silent, He is actively with you in the valley. Shifting your daily focus from asking “Why is this happening?” to asking “Lord, how can I sense Your presence right now in this moment?”
Sitting across from Tammy Trent was a vivid reminder that God is not a distant bystander to our pain; He is right in the middle of it with us. If you are walking through a quiet, heavy season today, know that you are never alone and your story isn’t over.
Today’s Secret from the Studio: When you are walking through a dark season remember that you are never alone and that your story isn’t over.
—Monica Schmelter is a trusted voice in Christian Media. She is the host of Bridges on Christian Television Network. Monica’s podcast is Hope for the Journey. Through her media ministry, writing, and speaking, she encourages others to find hope, strength, and purpose through faith in God. You can watch Bridges or listen to Hope for the Journey at monicaschmelter.com
