Ever wondered how do I trust God when times are hard? Perhaps you’ve said I am a Christian and yet I find it difficult to trust Him. I have been in this spot many times. Truth is it is easy to believe I Jesus when things are going our way. It is easy to rejoice and believe that God is in control when everything is going great. But we all know that life is not always smooth sailing. Challenges come to all us, causing us to worry and be anxious and that is when we struggle to trust Him.
It is possible to trust God when times are hard because he is a faithful God!
How to trust God when times are hard
Below are some of the ways that I have found helpful in my walk with the Lord. These are some of the things I do especially when I find myself struggling to trust in God. I hope they will offer some encouragement to you.
1. Remembering the past
Take time to reflect on the past. Remember times when you were sick and He healed you, when you had bills to pay and He came through, when you did not know what to do and He directed your steps. or when you prayed for a miracle and you received it. If God is the same today yesterday and forevermore (Hebrews 13:8) and He is, will he not carry you through the dark times you’re facing now? Stop and Think on this for a moment.
One of the excellent ways of remembering God’s faithfulness is to keep a journal, yes write it down, take pictures if possible. Write down specifically what you are feeling now and what you are trusting God for and leave a line or two for recording the date when He answers. Over the years, I have been amazed of how God keeps His word even when I failed Him or sinned. I believe you will be amazed.
2. Reading the Bible
The Bible is full of promises for every situation in life! Yes. It is the only living book that we have. when times are hard, reflect on these promises. Some of the verses that strengthen my spirit are:
Romans 15: 13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit
Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding. Sometimes, trusting means acknowledging that God’s ways are higher than ours and that He is in control even when we don’t understand
Numbers 29:11 God is not a man, that he should lie; Neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said, and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? This verse gives us the reassurance that the God we trust in, is a powerful God who will not lie but keep His word. He is dependable! In other words we can trust Him.
3. Prayer
I have learnt that talking to God doesn’t mean long lengthy prayers with eloquent speech. Sometimes it is the whispered prayer prayed earnestly. It is the genuine expression of your longings, desires and worship from your heart to God. After all God sees and know exactly how you feel.
So you may be wondering why doesn’t He answer me then? Or why should I pray ceaselessly about a need He already knows? Does He not see the anguish of my soul? Does He delight in this? Truth is I do not know why some prayers get answered immediately and others take longer. But I do know that everything that God does is good and why He allows suffering and anguish may be made known to us in the future. The Bible calls us to pray without ceasing, it is our call, our duty!.
It is how we draw close to God. This is also how we get to hear from Him and He makes clear our path. Could it be the feeling of being alone that we face be solved by drawing closer to Him in prayer? I bet. Whenever I feel anxious I am learning to spend time with the Lord and I have found so much peace and sometimes people say to me you are always smiling! I know deep inside that that is not always the case. I feel anxious, worried about my future, my finances, my marriage! But there is peace that flows like a river found in the presence of the Lord in prayer! It is so true what the hymn writer wrote in ‘What A Friend’,
Oh, what peace we often forfeit
Oh, what needless pain we bear
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer
However, through suffering our faith grows, we are able to comfort others, and we end up with hope that does not disappoint. Romans 5:3-5 says
And not only so but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience and experience hope: And hope maketh not ashamed because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
4. Focus on the vision
Focus on the goals, the vision that God has for your life, let these challenging times be the preparation for something greater that God has in store for you. I am encouraged by the words of Paul who said
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, Philippians 3:13.
He focused on the mission to keep witnessing, preaching to the Gentiles, to keep pursuing God’s call upon His life and was not distracted by anything even the great things that God had done for him. Likewise in our struggles we can choose to fix our eyes on the how difficult the challenge is or the plans that God has for us. His plans are best summarised in this verse,
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope, Jeremiah 29:11.
6. Listen to Scripture filled music
Music is great, music filled with Scripture is powerful. I love hymns and many songs written based on the Bible for they nourish my soul deeply. I listen to them endlessly whilst working (household chores included) thus distracting my mind from worrying over my problems. It is one of the way it keeps me in God’s presence. By memorizing these songs, I am memorizing scripture which is God’s word!
I have found something interesting about listening to Godly music: secular music loses its appeal, it is no longer sweet as it used to be, it feels something’s missing when I listen to them and they feel empty! But with Jesus music I feel revived and encouraged, which reminds me of Psalms 22:3 the Lord inhabits the praises of His people. What better place to be always?
I am ever so grateful for my Christian parents who taught me from a young age to stay away from ungodly music? They gave me a powerful tool for life. Bless them oh dear Lord Jesus!
Conclusion
Hold on to Jesus, cling to his promise. He will carry you through. He is faithful to give you strength and grace to continue trusting in Him even when times are hard. Keep on with prayer and listen to Jesus speak hope and peace to your heart. Cry if you need to, pour your heart to God, He is a refuge for us (Psalms 62:8).
Prayer for you to trust God when times are hard
Dear Jesus, I pray for your peace and strength upon my friend, I pray that your presence will surround them in this difficult time. May you give them grace to trust in You and your amazing promises. Give them victory and fight their battles oh God of heaven to the glory of your name and for their good in Jesus name, amen.
And now may the God of peace be with you
Shalom.
