Learning to Trust God in Hard Times
Trusting God during difficult times can be a challenging concept, although it is always very rewarding! You may be wondering, what does it actually mean to trust God, and better yet, how do I trust God, especially during hardships? To trust God means to believe that He is reliable, that His Word is true, and know that He provides us with strength, love, peace and purpose when we are lacking in our own. It requires us to have a relationship with him, which is built on the biblical foundations of prayer. Similarly to a relationship with anyone else, trusting God requires you to be comfortable being honest with Him and being willing to speak to Him about anything.
The Word of God teaches us further that God is trustworthy in hard times, and we should call on Him for wisdom, no matter the circumstances, both big and small.
1 Peter 5:7 says “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you”.
Faith is such an important aspect of overcoming adversity as it requires us to recognise that we are not in control and rather God is! Faith allows us to be empowered and strengthened to keep going, even when darkness is surrounding us. Again, God’s Word sheds light on this in Psalms 119:105 as it says “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path”.
Understanding the Nature of Hard Times
Whether we like to admit it or not, adversity and challenges are a natural part of life and something we can’t escape, regardless of how hard we might try. At times, life can run smoothly for a season. We can be in good health, have positive relationships with others and find ourselves feeling satisfied and thriving in our careers. Although, at some point, the seasons will naturally shift and what once felt secure, comfortable and predictable, may breed uncertainty and unpredictability. It is in these moments that our core values, beliefs and foundations on which we built ourselves upon begin to change and furthermore, become questioned as we struggle to gain certainty and predictability again.
Biblical Foundations for Trusting God
Sometimes it can be hard to trust God when our lives feel as though they are out of control. However, God’s Word provides everything we need during these times.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, it says: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”.
In this verse, we see that joy, praying and thankfulness are not just for the good times, but rather we should be practicing these always in the hard times.
Furthermore, Isaiah 40:31 states “They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint”.
In this verse, it talks of “wings like eagles”, which holds a much deeper meaning than what we may first consider. Adding context to this, eagles’ wings are built for soaring and gliding, especially on updrafts (which are storms’ early developments). Their wings are specifically designed with slots that allow air to flow smoothly and help stop the eagle from stalling when flying at a slower speed. Similarly to life, when challenges come our way, we may experience a lack of strength and our pace of life may inevitably slow down. During these times, we can seek God to give us wings like eagles so we can allow life’s challenges to flow through us more smoothly and prevent us from stalling completely.
Practical Steps to Trust God in Hard Times
Trusting God during hard times can be challenging, although these 5 steps can help support you further:
1 – Spend time with God in prayer. In doing so, you can encounter the presence of God and draw nearer to Him. Jeremiah 29:12 says “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you”.
2 – Study Scripture. Studying the Word of God allows you to know God more intimately and therefore trust Him more.
3- Plant yourself in a community. Reach out to friends, letting them know what you’re facing and keep going to church!
4 – Reflect on God’s faithfulness. This requires you to reflect on times when God has shown up for you during challenges in the past and provided a way when you felt no hope at all.
5- Journaling. Practice keeping a collection of journals which record any prayers, difficulties or situations you may be facing, allowing you to look back on these and see God’s faithfulness once the hard season has passed. Don’t forget to also record healing, promises or blessings you may experience as well.
Personal Stories of Faith
One of the many benefits of being planted in a church is the opportunity to hear of and experience other’s testimonies alongside them. We are so fortunate to have many examples of God’s grace, faithfulness and trustworthiness in our church alone.
Given the rising living costs, many people have faced financial hardships in recent times and have seen God’s hand over their finances when all hope seemed lost. Through consistent and faith-filled prayer, their prayers were answered, and they were able to provide for their families and children in God’s timing.
In Matthew 6:31-33, it says: “So don’t worry about these things, saying “What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but our Heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need”.
When you are feeling moments of doubt, uncertainty or unpredictability, whether regarding finances or another area of life, rest assured in knowing that the Lord your God, Christ Jesus, will provide all your needs.
Encouragement and Hope Can Be Found in Community
No matter where you are on your journey, whether you are slowly approaching a hard time, in the middle of one or have been in one for quite some time now, I hope you have found some hope and encouragement in this article. Key points to remember include:
– God is always with you, no matter what. Even when it feels like you are ‘stalling’, you can renew your strength in Christ Jesus through leaning into Him and praying.
– God calls us to ‘be still and know that I He is God’, as found in Psalm 46:10. Therefore, when God is working you need only to be still, trusting and seeking Him always. A pastor once told me that whilst we are working, God is waiting and whilst we are waiting, He is working!
I encourage you to take the time to look back at the practical steps to trusting God in hard times and implement some of these to help support you or, better yet, share your own story with others. Remember there is always someone there to help support, encouragement and provide guidance for you and your family!
