How To Have Faith In God During Hard Times
Life can be filled with challenges that test our faith. When tragedy strikes or we face obstacles that seem insurmountable, it’s normal to ask where God is and why He would allow suffering. Though the answers are complex, cultivating an unshakable faith in God is possible, even during your darkest moments.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Start by remembering that God loves you unconditionally. Pray and read scripture daily to feel God’s presence. Find a faithful community for support. Trust God’s plan, even when you can’t see the purpose behind your trials.
Remember God’s Unconditional Love
God Will Never Leave You
God’s love for us is unwavering and eternal. No matter what difficulties we face in life, we can find comfort and peace knowing that God is always by our side (Psalms 23:4). His unconditional love provides us strength during trying times.
When we feel lonely or abandoned, we should remember that God has promised to never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).
There are many Bible verses that remind us of God’s steadfast presence and care. Isaiah 41:10 says “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
What an amazing assurance that the Creator of the universe personally cares for us and wants to help us through every struggle!
You Are Precious to God
God sees infinite value and worth in each of His children. Even when we make mistakes or feel unloved by others, God looks at us with eyes of mercy, grace, and compassion. He knows us intimately and cares deeply for the details of our lives (Psalm 139:1-4).
The Bible says that God treasures us and rejoices over us with singing (Zephaniah 3:17). He is always ready to welcome us with open and forgiving arms when we fail or fall short (Luke 15:11-32). We are so precious to God that He was willing to sacrifice His only Son to redeem us (John 3:16).
Remembering how cherished we are to Him can encourage us when we face hard times.
So the next time you feel overwhelmed by challenges, cling to the truth of God’s unconditional and everlasting love. Recall His promises to help you, uphold you, and stay by your side through it all. You are a beloved child of God!
Pray and Read Scripture Every Day
Talk to God Regularly
Having a consistent prayer life is essential for growing in faith during difficult seasons. Set aside time each day to speak with God through prayer. Thank Him for the good things in your life, even if they seem small. Confess your sins and shortcomings, asking for forgiveness and help to change.
Pray for strength, wisdom, and endurance to make it through the challenges you’re facing. Ask God to reveal His presence and divine purposes in the midst of your struggles. The more you engage with God through prayer, the more your trust in Him will deepen.
Consider keeping a prayer journal to record your conversations with God, His answers to prayer, and how He is working in your life. This can strengthen your faith as you look back on how He has guided and provided for you. Make prayer the foundation of your life and relationship with God.
God Speaks Through Scripture
In addition to prayer, reading the Bible daily helps nourish your spirit and strengthen your trust in God. In the pages of Scripture, God reveals His character, wisdom, promises, and eternal truths that stand firm regardless of our fluctuating circumstances.
Setting aside quiet time to read the Word allows God to speak directly into your challenges and needs.
Focus on biblical passages about God’s faithfulness, sovereignty, goodness, and love. Scriptures about finding hope in suffering can encourage you that God will see you through this difficult season. Passages communicating God’s mighty power remind you that no problem is too big for Him.
As you read the Bible, ask God to give you fresh understanding and insight to apply in your life.
Verses or passages that speak to you are worth writing down to reflect on and memorize. The promises and truths stored in your mind and heart will continue nourishing your faith when struggles come. Let God’s living Word penetrate your spirit each day.
Surround Yourself with a Faithful Community
Christian Fellowship Provides Support
Finding a community of faithful believers can provide invaluable support during difficult times. According to a 2016 Pew Research study, 55% of Americans who attend religious services weekly say they receive assistance and support from their congregation when facing troubles.
Joining a Bible study, volunteering with church ministries, attending worship services regularly, and sharing prayer requests with small groups allows Christians to surround themselves with others who will lift them up emotionally and spiritually.
In addition to the social and spiritual backing, Christian friends can provide practical help. Members of a church community often rally around individuals and families experiencing illness, grief, job loss, or other trials.
They provide meals, help with transportation and childcare needs, send cards and flowers, visit hospitals and rehabilitation centers, offer financial assistance, and more. The generosity and selflessness of Christians demonstrating practical love to those in need can remind struggling believers of God’s compassion.
Serve Others
Reaching out to help others often lifts our own spirits when going through personal difficulties. By taking the focus off our problems and giving our time and resources to benefit those facing even greater hardships, we find renewed purpose and joy.
As an added blessing, serving alongside other Christians unites us in a shared mission of compassion.
According to a 2022 study by the Mayo Clinic, 76% of individuals surveyed said that helping others reduced feelings of depression. Working with groups that organize meals for the homeless, send care packages overseas to areas in crisis or poverty, provide job training for unemployed community members, or offer mentoring programs for at-risk youth are just a few impactful ways Christians can serve together.
Collaborating on acts of service often leads to new friendships, too.
In times when we feel disheartened by personal troubles that seem overwhelming, reaching out for support from other believers and serving those in need help restore our faith in God’s loving purpose for our lives.
Trust God’s Plan
God’s Ways Are Higher than Ours
As humans, we have limited vision and understanding of the complex workings of life. Our plans and desires often seem reasonable, but may not align with God’s greater purposes. As Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. “ Even when circumstances do not seem to make sense or go our way, we can trust that God sees the full picture and has our ultimate good in mind.
His vision spans eternity past and future; ours only sees the present moment.
A helpful metaphor is to think of life like a tapestry or quilt sewn from the back side. From our earthly view, we see messy threads, knots, and random stitching that looks chaotic and meaningless. But God views the right side of the tapestry, where a beautiful, intricate pattern and design comes into focus.
Our life path may involve unexpected twists and trials, but these serve a purpose in the grander scheme God is weaving.
Growth Comes Through Trials
Spiritual development and character building most often occur through difficult seasons of life. As James 1:2-4 expresses, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. “ Walking through troubles with faith in God allows him to produce steadfastness, wisdom and Christlike maturity in us if we remain submitted to his work.
Additionally, our experiences with affliction equip us to come alongside others going through similar situations. As 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 conveys, “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” The body of Christ was designed to bear one another’s burdens through the love and comfort of Christ.
Our trials make us more compassionate ministers of God’s grace toward those who hurt.
Though the process may be painful, the fruits cultivated through difficulty ultimately bring God glory as we radiate more of Jesus’ likeness and minister to those around us. As Romans 8:28 promises, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Conclusion
Though hard times will come, you can rely on God’s love, wisdom and faithfulness to carry you through. By spending daily time in prayer and scripture, plugging into a community of believers, and surrendering your will to God’s plan, you can develop an unshakable faith that will sustain you through every storm.
God promises to be with you always — trust that He will provide the strength you need to make it through.
