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How do we keep our faith in hard times?
We’ve all endured difficult seasons. And, if we’re honest, most of us have struggled with God during some of them. Have you experienced a time when you thought God was going to “come through” for you, only to be disappointed when He seemed silent? How easy was it to keep faith in that hard time?
I’ve shared before about our walk in the valley of infertility. I believed God instilled in me a desire for motherhood. I knew He could give Hubs and me children . . . but He didn’t.
The emotional pain, the sense that God was withholding good things from me, and the thought that He didn’t love me as much as He loved others nosedived my faith for a while.
For some, a stumble in faith comes when God could have healed a loved one but didn’t. Or perhaps it was cancer or another serious health diagnosis. God could have removed the cancer, but instead, He allowed us to walk through the chemo, the illness, the weakness, the wondering if we would die.
When we’re bitterly disappointed by what God allows/doesn’t allow, we may have deep emotions. We may grapple with angry thoughts and a sense of being betrayed by Him. We had a certain understanding of who we thought God is, but He didn’t live up to it.
Does struggling with how God has permitted things to happen in our lives mean we’ve lost our faith? No.
A Lesson in Faith
In Luke 8:22-25, Jesus instructed His disciples to get into the boat. He said, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” They climbed into their boat and set sail across the Sea of Galilee. Jesus fell asleep. A huge storm churned across the water. Their wind-tossed boat took on water as waves crashed over the deck, filling the vessel. These experienced fishermen were scared.
They awakened Jesus. “Master, Master, we are perishing!” They despaired of ever making it to the other side. Jesus calmed the wind and waves, and the disciples were amazed.
Here’s the thing: before they ever entered the boat, Jesus said, “Let us go over to the other side.” He knew they would make it across the lake in spite of the storm. The disciples knew only that Jesus was asleep while they struggled to stay afloat. They focused on what they saw and experienced, which was a storm with the ability to capsize them.
The disciples believed they could call on Jesus when the storm felt too big. And they did. But, they didn’t trust they would make it to the other side. Jesus was silent in their storm, and they may have struggled with the idea that He didn’t care.
Jesus’ statement implied “when we get there,” not “if.” How often do I live as though God is saying, “If . . . ?” This mindset sinks our faith.
We must know what we believe about God and His word. Because when life’s storms toss our hearts and souls (and they will), our beliefs will impact how we live out faith. Is He God? Or isn’t He? Does He love us? Or doesn’t He?
How to Keep Faith in Hard Times—5 Thoughts—How to Keep Faith in Hard Times—6 Thoughts—when life’s storms toss our hearts and souls (and they will), our beliefs will impact how we live out faith #tellhisstory #walkinginfaith #linkup Click To TweetJesus is the same yesterday, today, and always. If we believe this, where does faith fit in? When God seems silent, standing firm on what we believe impacts how we walk out our faith in hard times.
How to walk in faith in hard times when God seems silent
Believing God is God is the first step, but the next step toward walking in faith is trusting Him when He allows pain to become reality in our lives. When we choose to trust God, we give up the “‘right” to demand answers. When we trust that God truly loves us, even though He’s allowing painful circumstances, that’s walking in faith.
How to Keep Faith in Hard Times—5 Thoughts—When we choose to trust God, we give up the “‘right” to demand answers. When we trust that God truly loves us, even though He’s allowing painful circumstances, that’s walking in faith… Click To TweetBeliefs
Honesty about our thoughts and feelings is crucial. Especially when it seems like God has stepped back from us in our trial, we need to lay out our thoughts and emotions before Him. We should acknowledge and feel the emotions rather than stuffing them. Our loving Father is big enough to handle our emotions, even our cold shoulder. And, after we throw that tantrum, after we scream or cry or raise a fist at Him, we still long for His comfort. His love is big enough that He wraps His arms around us, reassuring us.
Acceptance of our circumstances is not giving up. We must choose: will we fight God about our situation, or will we accept where He has us? When we accept that, for whatever reason, God has allowed us to be in the hard place, our spirits can, in time, find peace. It’s not easy to abide in that headspace. Often, it’s a day-by-day, even moment-by-moment choosing to stay in a place of acceptance.
Practical Steps to help our faith in hard times
Spend time in God’s word daily. God speaks to us through His word. When we seek Him through His word, He equips us and reorients our thoughts and our hearts.
Ask others to pray with and for us in our difficult season. Inviting those who care about us to walk through our painful season strengthens us and encourages them.
Confide in those we trust who can redirect our eyes toward Jesus. It’s humbling to admit our doubts, fears, and weaknesses. But having a safe person to share with alleviates the internal pressure and strengthens us to walk forward, like Aaron and Hur supported Moses’ arms when he needed it.
Possibly, the most important way we keep our faith in hard times is to trust God in spite of what we’re going through. Choosing to trust Him regardless of what we see in our lives is walking in faith that He will be with us. Our Father will bring us through.
God doesn’t promise us a life with no scars. When we walk through hard seasons, we will be changed. The decision to put feet to our belief in God is what enables the changes to mold us more into the image of Jesus. And when we are vulnerable before Him, our pain can become our ministry.
What about you? What helps you hold onto faith when you go through difficult seasons? How do you keep your faith in hard times?
*****Remember to head over to Lisa Jordan’s place for the link up on October 12th!
Come share your story at the Tell His Story linkup. Connect and be encouraged by like-minded friends! #tellhisstory #linkup Click To TweetMost weeks, I link up with Grace and Truth, Anita Ojeda, Instaencouragements, and sometimes Let’s Have Coffee. Come join and read more encouraging posts!
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
Each week we gather here as storytellers, word weavers, and encouragers to make His name known. Our story is God’s story and this small corner of the blogging world, where we come together each Tuesday, needs you. This is a place where poetry, snapshots, prayers, and stories find a safe spot to nod in agreement that what we have to say matters. I am glad you are here and would love to have you join the #TellHisStory community. Add your own encouraging post through the link below. Spread some love by visiting your neighbor and leaving your own encouragement. Click here to read more about the #TellHisStory community and find a button to add to your site.
There’s so much good stuff in this post, Jeanne! I love this: “How often do I live as though God is saying “If . . . ?” – He’s not an “if” God. I used to have such a hard time waiting until I learned that the most important part of living is in the wait of a prayer sent out. He’s going to answer. It is going to be the best answer – but it might not be answered the way we think it will be! You’ve given us a feast today! Shalom!
Maryleigh, please forgive me! I just realized I don’t think I ever responded to your comment. I so love your thoughts about waiting when we send out a prayer. It CAN be hard to wait. But, when we know that we know that He will give us the very best-for-us answer, there’s peace in the waiting. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts!
Jeanne, a powerful and much needed article. I’m so thankful Jesus is the same yesterday and today, and every tomorrow. This is key, “We must know what we believe about God and His word. Because when life’s storms toss our hearts and souls (and they will), our beliefs will impact how we live out faith. Is He God? Or isn’t He? Does He love us? Or doesn’t He?” When we are walking in the darkness, clinging to who God is and what He does is the only hope.
Karen, I’m with you. The fact that Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever makes all the difference when we face trials. You’re right, clinging to our Father in the darkness of trials is the only way to know hope in the midst of them.
I was just reading this story – from Mark’s account – this week and studied it with a group of ladies last night. And now I am considering it again this morning. I love that! Jesus sent them onto the lake. He knew the storm. He was right there in the boat. All of it – and how quickly fear takes over. How quickly we forget all we know, have heard and have seen. Thanks Jeanne for sharing wise words!!
Jennifer, I love when God confirms something He’s showing me via a number of difference sources. When a trial hits hard, I am often too quick to forget all I know about God and His truths and His character. May we both grow in choosing differently in future trials. 🙂
Again, such encouraging insight, Jeanne. And soul-refreshing photos. Thank you. It struck me that I too often live as if God is saying “if” instead of “when we get there.” Such a great reminder. Love and blessings to you!
Trudy, Thank you for your kind words. May we both develop the mindset discipline of remembering God says, “When . . . ” Hugs friend!
So blessed by your words here, Jeanne! Thank you for sharing and thank you for hosting!
Tai, thank you so much for your encouragement and for stopping by! It’s my pleasure to host. 🙂
Thank you, Jeanne for your important insights about how to stay faithful in hard times. Trusting God even when we can’t see His hand is so important. I appreciated your comment about the fact that Jesus was asleep when the storm came up, but He was there with the disciples all through it.
Kathy, I have come to love that Bible story because of the visual of Jesus being there in the middle of the storms even though He was silent. He’s always with us, and in that, we can be assured.
Jeanne, this reminds me of something I recently shared from my Pastor, “the Teacher is silent through the test.” I’ve had storms where it seems He was silent, but somehow my faith was always encouraged to press on. I could always look back and see He was there.
Jerralea, I really love that reminder about the Teacher being silent during the test. You are right, after we come through trials, we can look back and see how God showed up during them, can’t we?
Yes to all of this. We start from what we know of Him instead of questioning what we know of Him. So important.
I love your differentiation here, Lauren! It’s spot-on!
What a beautiful post. Thank you so much for inviting me to the link up. I have been struggling finding like-minded bloggers to connect with. How do I keep my faith during hard times? You’ve already given some of my answers: prayer and Bible reading is key. Putting on worship music and worshipping even when I don’t feel like it (the “sacrifice of praise”) always helps lift my spirits. And just, remembering His goodness and faithfulness to me my whole life.
Amy, I’m so glad you stopped by! I think you’ll find lots of like-minded bloggers here and in other places where I link up. 🙂 Putting on worship music is such a good thing to do when we’re struggling. Something about music reorients our hearts back to the One who loves us most, doesn’t it? And yes, remembering God’s past faithfulness reassures us He’ll be faithful this time around too.
Jeamne, I’m here as you instructed…:)
Interestingly, I spoke to a group of moms last night on Sincere Faith. So much of what you shared here I shared as encouragement with them. I especially like Jesus knew they were going to make it to the other side. We all need to remember he knows more about our circumstances than we ever could.
Blessings.
Nylse, I’m so glad you stopped by. 🙂 When we truly understand that Jesus is with us, even when we can’t sense Him, there’s a kind of settledness that comes over us in those hard times. I love your words!
What helps me hold on to faith in difficult seasons is remembering how God got me through the last difficult season. Also, as you suggest, talking with others who can pray with me and for me. I have a couple of prayer lines on speed dial in my phone. Just the other day I dialed and a solid woman of God prayed with me. Thanks for reminding me that even when I can’t trace Gods hand, I can trust his heart. He’s working on my behalf even when he’s silent.
Yvonne, there is something powerful about remembering how God has brought us through other difficult seasons. Like you, I have a couple of friends on speed dial when I need prayer. Right. Now. I so appreciate you stopping by!
Thank you Jeanne.
Blessings,
Jennifer
Thank you for stopping by, Jennifer!
Jesus knew they would make it across the lake despite the storm. I’ve never thought of that before, Jeanne, but you’re right. (And I needed to know this today!) There’s so much comfort in remembering that our sovereign God is with us in every situation, even (especially?) when it’s not turning out like we hoped. Thank you for this gentle encouragement to keep trusting. ❤️
Lois, yes. There is much comfort in knowing our loving Father walks with us in every situation. I’m so thankful He is always as close as our next breath, even when we can’t sense Him. So thankful for you.
Love this Jeanne! I am learning it is okay to ask for prayer and to let others know about my struggles.
Lynn, it’s humbling to ask others for prayer, but man, there’s something powerful that happens when we invite others to come alongside us in our struggles. Thanks for your vulnerability here, friend.
Sometimes faith is no problemo,
sometimes it’s so hard to keep.
Sometimes faith is same-o same-o,
sometimes it’s a giant leap.
Sometimes God’s like furniture,
and sometimes He’s a ghost,
and just like an ill-fit denture,
that’s what hurts the most,
so fall back on your God-given reason,
look at Gospel history;
this is not a kind of treason,
nor does it kill mystery;
knowing men and places real,
you don’t depend on how you ‘feel’.
No, I don’t wear dentures. Poetic license, please!
Great wisdom in your words, Andrew. And no worries, you’ve never struck me as a denture-wearing sort of dude. 😉
I’m praying for you and Barb.
‘Acceptance of our circumstances is not giving up.’
No truer words were spoken. This is not an either / or situation. We’re just being human walking through a messy life with an incredibly loving, powerful Father.
We come as we are. He takes us from there. I’m so grateful.
So true, Linda. I’ve found that walking through the messy parts of life is a little easier when I accept where God has me. And I trust that He loves me and is powerful enough to bring me through. I love what you said: “We come as we are. He takes us from there.” Thanks for sharing your insights, friend.
I bad never made that connection with Jesus asleep and God silent, but that silence in a storm is so unnerving. It gives me more compassion for the disciples in the boat!
So true, Michele. God’s silence in a storm is unnerving. I’m so thankful His silence doesn’t equal His distance. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Jeanne,
So true faith can become our ministry! These times, lately, have been difficult and I find the only thing that gets me through is diving into His Word daily and being in continual communication with my Lord. Nothing else satisfies or sustains. Thank you for the reminder it’s not “if” but “when” our Lord will bring us to the other side. I have to say, again, your photography is truly gorgeous!! I need my Jeanne Takenaka coffee table book of photography and scriptural encouragement 🙂
Blessings,
Bev xx
Bev, like you, I’ve found myself diving into God’s word. It seems like it doesn’t take much to overwhelm me some days. I need His word like I need air. Thanks for your kind word about my photos. 🙂 Maybe one day there’ll be a book . . . 😉
I appreciate your acknowledgment that life can be hard regardless of our faith. And that it doesn’t mean God has abandoned us, because even when we can’t hear him, we can know he is with us. I love being reminded that he is always at work on our behalf, even when we don’t see him, because he loves us. Thanks for the encouragement today, Jeanne.
Lisa, I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve needed to be reminded that God is always at work on my/our behalf, even when I can’t see His hand working. He does love us, and that understanding is what can enable us to trust in those hard seasons. Thank you for your insights, friend.
I’ll be featuring your post on Friday at the Grace & Truth linkup. It goes beautifully with a book I just finished reading, “No Cure for Being Human.”
Awww, Lisa. I’m honored. Thank you. I can’t wait to hear more about No Cure for Being Human.
The disciples saw a “storm with the ability to capsize them.” I sat thinking on those words for a few minutes. Yes, the storm had the ability but it did not have the capability because the Lord was sovereign over the storm. And so it is with every storm in life … it may have an ability but it will only be capable of doing what God permits. Thank you for encouraging me this morning, Jeanne! Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
Joanne, I love your emphasis on how the storm had the ability to capsize the disciples, but it didn’t have the capability because our Lord is sovereign. SUCH a powerful reminder for us when we face our trials. Thanks for sharing your insights!
I have found so true what Romans 5 says about our suffering produces endurance, which produces character, which produces hope. The more we get to know Him through His Word, the more we can trust Him even if it seems like He’s not answering.
Barbara, Romans 5:3-5 has definitely been a passage that I’ve lived. It’s such a beautiful description of how God uses trials and tribulations in our lives. Yes, getting to know the Lord through His word deepens our trust in Him. Thanks for sharing!