Life is full of ups and downs. We all face difficulties and challenges that can shake our faith. In the midst of hard times, it can be easy to feel far from God. We may wonder if He cares or if He is even there at all. However, the Bible reminds us that God is always with us, and He wants us to draw near to Him, especially during seasons of trial. Here are some practical ways we can continue loving and trusting God even when life gets hard.
Remember God’s presence
God promises to be with us always. Deuteronomy 31:6 says “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” And Hebrews 13:5 declares “…God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'” No matter what we face, God is by our side. We are never alone.
In difficult times, intentionally remind yourself of God’s presence. Talk to Him throughout the day. Let your heart be comforted knowing the Creator of the universe is walking with you in the trial. Cling to Scriptures about God’s nearness and cast your cares on Him, trusting that He cares for you.
Pour out your heart to God
God invites us to bring our honest prayers and laments before Him. The Psalms are full of raw, authentic cries to God in the midst of suffering. Follow David’s example in Psalm 142:1-2, “I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble.” Be real with God about how you’re feeling – hurt, angry, afraid, questioning, etc. He can handle it.
As we voice our pain to our compassionate Father, it releases the emotions we carry on the inside. God also promises to hear and respond when we call out to Him. Pouring out your heart before God draws you closer to Him in the pain.
Trust in God’s goodness
Human perspective is limited. We only see what’s right in front of us. But God sees the full picture and is able to work all things for ultimate good (Romans 8:28). His plans go far beyond our momentary suffering. As Romans 11:33 says, “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!”
When tragedy strikes, we can trust that God has purposes we don’t yet see. He loves us unconditionally and only allows difficulties for our growth and eternal joy. So we can have hope that despite the pain, He will redeem our situations for good. God’s character is perfect, His promises are sure, and His love is unchanging, even when life feels shaky. He is our secure anchor in the storm.
Cling to God’s Word
Scripture is filled with God’s promises, wisdom, and comforting truths we need. In dark times, read the Bible daily to be reminded of God’s faithfulness and care. Commit verses about God’s presence and power to memory. Meditate on these Scriptures constantly to renew your mindset when fears and doubts arise. Some key passages to hold onto include:
- Psalm 23:4 – “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
- John 16:33 – “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
- Joshua 1:9 – “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
God’s Word is a lamp for our feet in hard times. Reading Scripture bolsters our trust in God and reminds us of His promises when everything feels uncertain.
Give thanks
Gratitude shifts our focus from the problem to God. As 1 Thessalonians 5:18 says, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” When we thank God in the storm, it reminds us of His presence and past faithfulness. We can thank Him that He will work even this trial for our eternal good. Thanking God for blessings we do see counteracts negative thinking. As we give thanks, the peace of God can rule in our hearts.
Start by thanking God for salvation, His Spirit, and eternal life. Thank Him for people who support you and His Word that gives guidance. Even if you don’t feel like it, giving thanks to God by faith can lift your eyes to see His hand at work.
Help others
Trying to serve and bless others redirects our focus from inward to outward. Acts 20:35 reminds us that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” Investing in others’ lives helps us remember that the world is bigger than just our own pain. We can ask friends how we can help them during this time, even if it’s something small like a card, meal, or listening ear. We might volunteer with an organization we care about. We can also use any resources and abilities we have to bless others who may be in even greater need. Helping people points them to God’s love and care as well.
Don’t underestimate the difference small things make. God can use our simple acts of service to encourage many people in their trials, including ourselves. As Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
Persevere in prayer
Prayer connects us to God’s strength, wisdom and comfort. Colossians 4:2 prompts believers to “devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” When everything feels bleak and prayer seems hard, we can recall Jesus’ example in Luke 22:44 where in his agonizing prayer in Gethsemane before His crucifixion, “…being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” Our Savior persevered and poured out His heart honestly to the Father. We can follow His model by persisting in prayer, even weeping, as we lay our heart bare before God. As we pray without ceasing through the trial, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf before God (Romans 8:26-27).
Though we may not get the answers we desire right away, prayer aligns our heart with God’s and allows Him to reveal His will and comfort. We can be confident He hears us and will work all things for our eternal good as we continue seeking Him.
Trust God’s timing
Waiting is one of the hardest parts of any trial. We want relief and answers now and don’t understand why God sometimes waits to intervene. But His timing is always perfect. As Ecclesiastes 3:11 notes, God “has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” God sees the completed picture. He knows exactly when and how to work, even when we can’t comprehend it.
Rather than striving to take matters into our own hands, we can rest in God’s perfect timing. His delays are not a denial of our prayers. As Psalm 27:14 encourages, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” He may just be preparing something better than we could imagine. Waiting strengthens our faith and trust in God’s wisdom and sovereignty.
Hope in Christ’s return
On this earth, we will have trouble. But the good news is that one day all hardship will cease forever. As Revelation 21:4 promises, “[God] will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” No matter how intense suffering feels now, it’s only temporary. Our trials are momentary when viewed in light of eternity with Jesus where there will be no more pain or sorrow.
Remembering that Christ will return to make all things new fuels endurance and hope. The suffering that seems endless now will pale in comparison to the coming glory. As 2 Corinthians 4:17 reminds us, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” Meditate on the promise of eternity free from all hardship. Our trials are only for a moment.
Pursue eternal perspective
Hard times tend to lock our minds into tunnel vision focused only on the immediate crisis. But when we zoom out and consider life from God’s vantage point, it helps us endure and trust His purposes. Paul exhorted in 2 Corinthians 4:18, “So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.”
Rather than being consumed by temporary suffering, we can focus on the unseen spiritual realities like God’s presence and the coming paradise with no tears. We can remind ourselves this life is short compared to eternity where God will reward our faith. When we view trials from heaven’s perspective, our current struggles seem smaller. This eternal perspective gives fortitude to persevere with our hope set on Christ.
Examine yourself
Difficult seasons are opportunities for self-reflection because hardship tends to reveal weak areas that need change. As Hebrews 12:11 notes, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Pastor Charles Stanley advises asking:
“How is this experience meant to change my perspective or my priorities? Have I lost my focus on God? Do I need to re-evaluate my values or how I use my time and resources? Does anything need to change in my life?” God uses trials to mold and strengthen our faith as we turn to Him. Allow struggles to push you closer to God as you seek what He wants to teach you.
Surrender control to God
The natural response when difficulties strike is to fiercely try controlling the situation and fix the problem our way. But we aren’t in control – God is. Instead of the futile attempt to manipulate circumstances, Jesus modeled surrender to the Father, praying in Luke 22:42, “Yet not my will, but yours be done.” Rather than raging against the storm, we can acknowledge our inability and trust the all-powerful God holds us in His hands. Practice releasing your grip, and acknowledging, “God, my times are in your hands” (Psalm 31:15).
As we surrender control to the Lord and say, “Not my will but Yours,” anxiety and fear lose their grip as we rest in God’s sovereign care. He will guide us step by step through the trial as we follow Him.
Grow through community
God made us for community. Ecclesiastes 4:9 notes that “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.” In hardship it’s easy to isolate, but we need Christian friends to uplift and support us. Being part of a church provides strength through God’s Word, prayer partners, and fellowship during trials. Consider reaching out more to Christian friends as you walk this valley. Ask them to pray for and encourage you. Their godly counsel and perspective can be invaluable.
Also be willing to serve fellow believers who are hurting. Offer them the comfort God’s given you (2 Corinthians 1:3-4). Together we will get through the storms of life. And one day we will worship together in the presence of Christ where all tears are gone forevermore.
Turn suffering into worship
Hard times remind us how desperately we need God. Pain pushes us to depend more fully on Him rather than ourselves. As we cast our cares on the Lord and experience His comfort, it naturally flows into praise. The book of Psalms transition fluidly from cries for help to declaring God’s goodness and power. God receives glory when we trust Him in impossible situations.
Make praise your weapon against the enemy who wants suffering to breed bitterness and despair. Follow Job’s example after losing everything: “Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD’” (Job 1:20-21). Let your pain draw you into God’s presence where hope is renewed. Suffering surrendered to God unleashes His glory.
Remember past faithfulness
Recalling how God brought you through past storms fortifies faith to endure current trials. The Israelites erect memorial stones in the Old Testament to remember key moments of God’s provision. Deuteronomy 32:7 urges: “Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.” Christian writer Corrie ten Boom advised keeping a gratitude journal to note God’s faithfulness through the ups and downs of life.
When discouragement sets in, reflect on how God has helped you before. Consider specific prayers He has answered clearly. Remember the tangible ways He has shown His great love for you through all your days. This gives perspective and stirs hope to press on. If God brought you through before, He will do it again. He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Conclusion
Walking through suffering while maintaining love and trust in God is challenging. But He promises to be with us through every trial. As we seek God in difficult seasons and lean into His Word, we experience His comfort to endure. Fixing our eyes on the eternal reminds us suffering won’t last forever. No matter how painful the situation, we can have hope and joy in Christ. He will redeem all our pain for our eternal good. God’s love and purposes for us don’t change, even when life feels uncertain. When we pour out our hearts to Him, God draws near to us in our pain. He will carry us through this season into the light of His presence where all tears will be wiped away forever.