We all face tough times in our lives. Feeling overwhelmed and lost is easy, whether it’s illness, loss, family issues, or financial struggles. As a person of faith, I believe God is always with us, even in these difficult times. But how do we trust in God when everything seems to fall apart? In this column, I’ll share some pointers and examples from the Bible of people who trusted in God in times of hardship.
First, look to the Psalms. If you’re feeling lost or alone, turn to the Psalms. These beautiful prayers and poems express human emotions, from joy to sorrow to anger. King David, who wrote many Psalms, was no stranger to difficult times. He wrote, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety.” (Psalm 18:2) When we’re feeling overwhelmed, we can find comfort in these words and others like them.
Remember Abraham. Abraham is known as the “father of faith” because he trusted God’s promises despite difficult circumstances. God promised Abraham that he would have many descendants and become the father of a great nation, but at the age of 99, Abraham still had no children. Despite this, he believed in God’s promises and continued to trust in Him. And sure enough, Isaac, Abraham’s son, was born when Abraham was 100 years old. When facing impossible situations, we can look to Abraham’s example and remember that nothing is impossible for God.
Learn from Job. Perhaps no one in the Bible faced more hardship than Job. He lost his wealth, family, and health in a single day. Yet, even in the midst of his suffering, Job refused to curse God. He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job 1:21). Job’s story reminds us that even in the midst of our deepest pain and suffering, God is still with us and we can still trust in Him.
Follow Jesus.
Of course, the ultimate example of trust in God is Jesus Himself. He faced unimaginable suffering and death on the cross, yet He never wavered in His faith. He said, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42). Even when facing death, Jesus trusted in His Father’s plan. When we follow Jesus, we can have confidence that we are never alone and that God’s plan for us is good.
Seek community. Finally, when we struggle to trust in God, seeking a supportive community is important. Whether it’s a church, a small group, or just a few close friends, having people around us who share our faith can make a difference. The Apostle Paul writes, “God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4). When we gather together as believers, we can find strength and encouragement to keep trusting in God, no matter what comes our way.
Trusting in God during difficult times is never easy, but possible. We can look to the Psalms, Abraham, Job, Jesus, and our own community for support and inspiration. When we remember that God is with us always and His plan for us is good, we can find the peace and hope we need to keep going, even in the darkest times.
