Trusting God in hard times is not our natural human tendency. You may never know how vast God’s love and mercy extend until life dumps on you, leaving you wondering if the rain will ever stop. In some of life’s harshest moments, whether it be the loss of a loved one, the unraveling of a friendship, a wayward child, a tree through the roof, a cancer diagnosis, or a job loss, you may wonder, ‘Is God even there?’
Why Me, Lord?
Trusting God in hard times builds…
- Faith
- Strength
- Confidence
Trials deepen our reliance on God. They can also be the wake-up call that means the difference for eternity. As the difficulties increase in our lives, we may find ourselves helpless and humbled, becoming more dependent on Him. The Apostle Paul found himself in a position of helplessness as he humbly asked God to take away the thorn in his flesh. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, he records God’s response:
- “And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
Instead of taking away Paul’s suffering, God revealed that His strength was made perfect in Paul’s weakness. Trusting God in hard times refines our character and prepares us for greater purposes. James tells us what the testing of our faith in hard times produces: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4).
In my experience, the difficulties break us, remind us of God's sovereignty, and draw us closer as we learn to trust Him in the hard times.
The Hardship That Broke Us
The cancer had already spread, ravaging much of my husband’s body and leaving him home-bound and needing constant care. Then the disease moved into his brain. The doctor said, “We can treat it aggressively with chemo and hope for some more time, but it will be very uncomfortable and rough on your body.” The other option, which is the one my husband chose, was to stop the treatments and bring in Hospice, allowing him only a few more months of life. This was not the journey we planned. But God had other plans.
- “‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ says 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.’”—Isaiah 55:8-9
Total Surrender During the Hard Times
As we wept together, contemplating the end of life and the reality of an eternity with or without God, I looked for assurance and peace. A good man, but not a church-going man, my husband spent his final year of life at home. He was surrounded by his praying, care-giving wife and family, who were all learning to trust God in the unknown. We continued to hope for a miracle, knowing that with God, all things are possible. My husband heard the gospel message of God’s amazing grace several times during that year as I attended online Sunday services , always within his hearing distance.
I experienced a deepening of my own faith as I could do nothing but cry out to God for any hope. I was forced to trust God in the hard times because the load was too much for me to carry. I had no choice but to look to God for wisdom and strength each day. Two verses of comfort and strength were Psalms 46:1 and Proverbs 19:20-2:
- “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”—Psalm 46:1
- “Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days. There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel—that will stand.”—Proverbs 19:20-21
Trusting God in Hard Times Means There Is Hope
After he made the decision to stop all treatments, I said to my husband, “I have to know if I am going to see you again. Do you know where you will spend eternity?” He smiled and shook his head confidently and told me, “Sometimes you just have to be slapped in the face.”
Whatever it takes to get our attention, our God is a loving God who knows what is best for his children, even if it is painful. Trusting God in the hard times means there is hope.
A Peace That Surpasses All Understanding
As the pain intensified and his body failed under the curse of cancer, we continued to trust God in the hard times, expecting an answer to our prayers. Today, I can rejoice knowing God did answer our prayers, although it was not in the way we hoped. Our healing miracle wasn’t to be on this side of eternity. Even so, my husband is now healed, both spiritually and physically. He has a new, healthy body and is rejoicing with Jesus. That gives me peace.
God’s Promises are Sure
When you find yourself in the depths of frustration, grief, or agony and see no way out, you may start to drift from God and feel disappointment or anger with what you believe to be unanswered prayers. Allowing doubt or fear to overshadow faith only leads to despair. Fear is not from God, and we can be certain that, even when it hurts, God’s promises are steadfast and unchanging.
- “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”—Isaiah 41:10
Though we may not understand His plans, we know that God’s unfailing love and mercy are the only things that give us real hope. Trusting God in the hard times is the right choice every time.
As you grow your trust in God, it is important to shift your focus from asking for specific outcomes to asking for guidance and practicing obedience. The fire of suffering refines and strengthens your faith to carry you through the next phase of God’s perfect plan.
- “Our soul waits for the Lord; He is our help and our shield. For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name. Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, just as we hope in You.”—Psalm 33:20-22
God’s Plan is Better
God’s plan is better than ours every time. As Christians, we are promised a peace that surpasses all understanding, but we are not promised a life with no difficulties. When we cannot comprehend why God would allow hardships in our lives, we can rest assured that He will carry us through our suffering and leave us with the wisdom and peace to carry on.
When we are broken and have no solution, we learn that we cannot rely on ourselves but must rely on God. As we surrender and put our faith in Jesus, He carries us through the hard times. Trusting God in hard times strengthens our faith, taking us to new depths in our relationship with Jesus.
- “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ…”—1 Peter 1:6-7
Takeaway
If you are walking through hardship or suffering, trust in God and reflect on His promises daily. Commit to trusting Him even when life feels uncertain. Here are some ways to practice trusting God during hard times and turning your heart to Him:
- Prayer: Pour out your heart to God.
- Meditating on Scripture: Focus on promises like Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 46:1.
- Worship: Shift your focus from problems to God's greatness.
- Community: Seek support from fellow believers who can encourage you in faith.
- Gratitude: Practice thanking God for His blessings even in hardship.
Let me leave you with this final encouragement from Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” Trust in God, believe His promises, and know that He is carrying you through your struggle.
You don’t have to go through life’s most difficult experiences alone. Grieving is a process. Find community and support through GriefShare, a caring support group for people who have experienced the loss of a spouse, child, family member, or friend.