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If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’re walking through a tough season right now-or you love someone who is. Wouldn’t it be nice to just sit across from a friend with a cup of coffee and share your heart? Life gets heavy sometimes, and it’s easy to wonder, “God, where are You? Do You see what’s happening down here?”
We all face storms-moments when dreams crumble, plans unravel, and prayers seem to go unanswered. It’s in those difficult seasons that we often learn the most about God’s heart-and about our own. If you’re struggling to trust God right now, you’re not alone. Let’s walk through this together.
When Life Gets Hard: You’re Not Alone
Maybe your “difficult season” is a health scare, a job loss, a struggling relationship, or a deep sense of disappointment or loneliness. Whatever it is, know this: God sees you. He hasn’t forgotten you, even if it feels like everyone else has.
There are times when it feels like setback after setback, and prayers don’t seem to change anything. It’s natural to wonder if you’ve missed something-or worse, if God has stopped listening. But trusting God isn’t about ignoring the pain; it’s about holding on to Him right in the middle of it.
What Does Trusting God Really Look Like?
Let’s be honest-trusting God is easy to talk about when life is going well. But when the bottom drops out, trust becomes less about feelings and more about choice. It’s waking up and saying, “God, I don’t understand this, but I’m choosing to believe You are good and You are with me.”
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
Notice it doesn’t say, “Trust in the Lord when you understand what He’s doing.” It says, “with all your heart.” Sometimes, that means trusting God with a heart that’s hurting.
Stories from the Trenches
Maybe you’ve been through a season when someone you love was hurting, and you tried everything-prayer, advice, late-night talks-but nothing seemed to change. It’s easy to sit in the dark and ask God, “Why aren’t You fixing this?”
But in that darkness, God meets us. Not always with quick fixes, but with His quiet presence. He reminds us through Scripture, through friends, and sometimes just through a sunrise, that He is still at work, even when we can’t see it. Looking back, it’s often clear how God used those seasons to grow faith and compassion for others who are hurting.
Practical Ways to Hold On
So, how do you trust God when life is hard? Here are a few things that can help:
1. Be Honest with God
God can handle your questions and your tears. David, the man after God’s own heart, poured out his fears and frustrations to God in the Psalms. You can too. Sometimes prayers sound more like groans than words, but God hears them all.
2. Stay Connected to God’s Word
When you’re hurting, it’s tempting to pull away from the Bible. But that’s when you need it most. Even if you can only read a verse or two, let God’s promises soak into your heart. Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
3. Reach Out to Others
Don’t try to go it alone. We need each other, especially in the hard seasons. Sometimes just having someone listen and pray with you can make all the difference. If you don’t have a close friend or small group, consider reaching out to your church or a trusted mentor.
4. Remember God’s Faithfulness
When God answers a prayer or shows up in a surprising way, write it down. On the hard days, pull out those stories and remember: if God was faithful then, He’ll be faithful now.
5. Practice Gratitude
This one isn’t easy when life hurts, but it’s powerful. Even on the darkest days, there’s usually something to thank God for-a kind word, a warm meal, a moment of peace. Gratitude doesn’t erase the pain, but it does help shift your focus.
You’re Not the Only One
If you’re feeling alone in your struggle, remember the heroes of faith who walked this road before us. Joseph was betrayed and forgotten in prison. Ruth lost her husband and moved to a foreign land. Paul was shipwrecked, beaten, and imprisoned. Yet each of them discovered God’s presence in their pain.
And, of course, Jesus Himself-a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief-knows what it’s like to suffer. He walks with us in our darkest valleys.
One Step at a Time
How to trust God during difficult times of life isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about taking the next step, even if it’s just a tiny one. Maybe today, that means whispering a prayer. Maybe it’s opening your Bible or reaching out to a friend. Whatever it is, know that God is with you, and He’s not finished with your story.
There is hope in every valley. God’s faithfulness is new every morning. If you need encouragement or prayer, don’t hesitate to reach out to someone who can walk with you. We’re in this together.
The Lord is my portion, says my soul, therefore I will hope in him.
Keep trusting, friend. God is holding you-even now.