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Whatever Is, Is Best
As the years pass, we often look back and understand experiences that once left us confused. This thoughtful poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox reminds us that sorrow, disappointment, and uncertainty may have a purpose that we cannot see at the time.
Whatever Is, Is Best encourages us to trust that God has a plan and that He can bring good from even the most difficult seasons. May this Christian poem strengthen your faith and remind you that God sees the full journey, even when you can see only the next step.
Updated August 3, 2026, by Catherine Pulsifer.
Whatever Is, Is Best
Poet: Ella Wheeler Wilcox
I know as my life grows older
And mine eyes have clearer sight —
That under each rank wrong, somewhere
There lies the root of Right;
That each sorrow has its purpose,
By the sorrowing oft unguessed,
But as sure as the sun brings morning,
Whatever is — is best.
I know that each sinful action
As sure as the night brings shade,
Is somewhere, some time punished,
Tho' the hour be long delayed.
I know that the soul is aided
Sometimes by the heart's unrest,
And to grow means often to suffer —
But whatever is — is best.
I know there are no errors
In the great Eternal plan,
And all things work together
For the final good of man.
And I know when my soul speeds onward
In its grand Eternal quest,
I shall say as I look back earthward
Whatever is — is best.
Key Reflections In This Poem
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God Has A Plan
Life does not always unfold the way we expect, but this poem reminds us that God is always at work. Even when we cannot understand what is happening, we can trust that His plan is good.
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Difficult Times Can Help Us Grow
Sorrow and disappointment are never easy, yet they often teach us lessons we could not learn any other way. Looking back, we often see that God used those experiences to strengthen our faith and character.
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Trust Brings Peace
When we place our confidence in God instead of our circumstances, our hearts become more settled. Trust does not answer every question, but it helps us move forward with hope.
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God Sees The Bigger Picture
We can only see a small part of our journey, but God sees the beginning and the end. This poem encourages us to believe that every part of our lives has a purpose, even when we cannot see it yet.
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Wisdom Comes With Time
As the years pass, we often gain a better understanding of the events that once puzzled us. Ella Wheeler Wilcox reminds us that with faith and experience, we can look back and recognize God's hand at work.
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Conclusion
As life moves forward, we often begin to understand why certain experiences became part of our journey. What once seemed unfair or without purpose may later reveal a lesson, a new direction, or a strength we did not know we had.
Ella Wheeler Wilcox's poem encourages us to trust God's plan, even when the reason for our struggles is not yet clear. May her words bring you peace and help you move forward with faith, believing that God can use every season of life for good.
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