How Do You Trust God in Difficult Times? 3 Truths to Remember

By Paul King •  Updated: 10/28/23 •  11 min read

Do you ever feel like life’s storms are too much to handle? In those moments, when the waves of hardship crash against your soul, it can be hard to find solid ground. But fear not, for there is hope. Let us turn to the Scriptures and discover the three powerful truths that will help you trust God in difficult times.

  1. The Promise of God’s Presence: ‘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.’ – Deuteronomy 31:6

In the midst of the storm, it is easy to feel alone and abandoned. But remember, God promises to be with us always. Just as He was with Moses and the Israelites during their journey through the wilderness, He is with us in our struggles. We can find comfort in knowing that we are never alone, no matter how difficult the circumstances may be.

  1. The Power of God’s Provision: ‘And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.’ – Philippians 4:19

When we face challenges, it may seem like our resources are running dry. But God’s provision is limitless. Just as He miraculously provided manna for the Israelites in the desert, He will meet all our needs. He is the God of abundance, and He will supply us with everything we require to endure and overcome.

Let us remember the story of Joseph. Despite being sold into slavery by his own brothers and facing numerous trials, God’s provision was evident throughout Joseph’s life. He eventually became a powerful ruler in Egypt and was able to save his family from famine. This story reminds us that God’s provision is not limited by our circumstances but is rather a testament to His unfailing love and faithfulness.

  1. The Plan of God’s Purpose: ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ – Jeremiah 29:11

In the midst of difficult times, it can be hard to understand why we are facing such trials. But rest assured, God has a purpose for everything. His plans for us are good, and He promises to give us hope and a future. We may not always see the bigger picture, but we can trust that God is working all things together for our ultimate good.

Let us take inspiration from the story of Job. Despite losing everything, including his family, his health, and his possessions, he remained steadfast in his trust in God. In the end, God restored everything to Job and blessed him abundantly. This story teaches us that even in the darkest of times, God’s purposes prevail, and His blessings are beyond measure.

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, in these difficult times, we humbly come before you. We thank you for your promises of presence, provision, and purpose. Help us to trust in you completely, knowing that you are with us, supplying all our needs, and working all things for our good. Strengthen our faith and grant us the peace that surpasses all understanding. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

The Sovereignty of God: Trusting His Control in Difficult Times

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. – Proverbs 3:6

In times of difficulty, it is important to remember that God is still in control. We may not understand why certain things are happening, but we can trust in His sovereignty. As Psalm 46:10 reminds us, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’ When we let go of our need to control every outcome and surrender to His plan, we can experience true peace and freedom.

Let me share with you the story of Joseph from the Bible. Joseph was a young man who faced many hardships and trials. He was sold into slavery by his own brothers, falsely accused and imprisoned. Despite all of this, Joseph remained faithful to God and continued to trust in His plan. In the end, God used Joseph’s difficult circumstances to bring about something incredible. Joseph became a ruler in Egypt and was able to save his family and many others from a severe famine.

Joseph’s story teaches us that even in the darkest of times, God is able to work all things together for good. We may not see the bigger picture, but God does. His ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. We can find comfort in knowing that He is always with us, guiding us through every difficult situation.

Let us now turn to a prayer inspired by the Bible:

Dear Heavenly Father,

In the midst of difficult times, we come before You, acknowledging Your sovereignty and control over all things. We surrender our need to control every outcome and place our trust in Your perfect plan. Help us to be still and know that You are God.

Just as You guided Joseph through his trials, we ask for Your guidance in our lives. Give us the strength to remain faithful and trust in Your timing. Help us to see beyond our current circumstances and remember that You are always at work, even when we can’t see it.

Thank You for the assurance that Your ways are higher than our ways and Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts. May we find peace and freedom in surrendering to Your will.

In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

As we reflect on the story of Joseph and the truth of God’s Word, let us hold on to the promise that He is in control. Even in difficult times, we can trust in His sovereignty and find peace in surrendering to His perfect plan.

Finding Peace in the Midst of Uncertainty: Trusting God’s Presence

Finding Peace in the Midst of Uncertainty: Trusting God’s Presence

‘When life feels uncertain, find peace by turning to God and surrendering your worries to Him. Trusting God’s guidance and finding strength in His presence can bring comfort and stability in the midst of uncertainty. Here are three truths to remember:

  1. God is with you: In difficult times, remember that God is always by your side. He promises to never leave you nor forsake you. His presence brings peace and assurance that you are not alone. As it is written in Isaiah 41:10, ‘Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.’

  2. God is in control: Even when everything seems out of control, trust that God is still in charge. He knows the bigger picture and has a plan for your life. Let go of the need to control and surrender to His perfect will. Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, ‘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.’

To illustrate this truth, let us turn to the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis. Joseph faced great uncertainty in his life. He was sold into slavery by his own brothers, falsely accused and thrown into prison. However, through it all, Joseph trusted in God’s plan. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph says to his brothers, ‘As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.’ In the end, God used Joseph’s difficult journey to save many lives and bring about His greater purpose. This story reminds us that even in the face of uncertainty, God is working all things together for our good.

  1. God is faithful: Throughout history, God has proven His faithfulness time and time again. He is a trustworthy God who keeps His promises. Rest in the certainty that He will guide you through the storm and lead you to a place of peace and victory. Lamentations 3:22-23 says, ‘The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.’

In times of uncertainty, find solace in the presence of God. Trust His guidance, lean on His strength, and discover the peace that surpasses all understanding. As we pray, let us remember the words of Philippians 4:6-7, ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.’

Prayer:

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you in the midst of uncertainty, seeking Your presence and peace. We trust that You are with us, guiding us through every step of this journey. Help us to surrender our worries to You and find strength in Your unfailing love. Lord, we acknowledge that You are in control, and we choose to let go of our need for control and surrender to Your perfect will. We thank You for Your faithfulness throughout history and ask for Your continued faithfulness in our lives. Fill us with Your peace that surpasses all understanding, guarding our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.’

Hope for the Future: Trusting in God’s Promises

Find comfort and assurance in the hope of a glorious future, trusting in the promises of God. As the Psalmist declares in Psalm 119:114, ‘You are my refuge and my shield; I’ve put my hope in your word.’

In times of uncertainty, it’s essential to remember that God’s promises are true and unchanging.

Let me share with you the story of Joseph from the book of Genesis. Joseph experienced great difficulties in his life, from being sold into slavery by his own brothers to being falsely accused and imprisoned. But through it all, he never lost hope in God’s promises. In Genesis 50:20, Joseph said to his brothers, ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.’ Joseph trusted that God had a greater purpose in his suffering, and indeed, God used him to save his family and the entire nation of Egypt from famine.

Just like Joseph, we can trust in God’s promises even in the midst of challenging circumstances. One of the greatest promises God has given us is eternal security. In John 10:28, Jesus assures us, ‘I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.’ Our future with God is secure, and nothing can separate us from His love and salvation.

Furthermore, we can trust in God’s faithful provision. The story of the Israelites wandering in the wilderness is a powerful reminder of God’s abundant provision. In Exodus 16:4, God says to Moses, ‘I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day.’ God provided manna to sustain His people every single day, showing His faithfulness and care for their needs.

In times of need, we can turn to God and trust that He will provide for us. As Jesus teaches in Matthew 6:26, ‘Look at the birds of the air; they don’t sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?’ Just as God provides for the birds, He will provide for us, His beloved children.

Dear Heavenly Father, we come before you in prayer, trusting in your promises and your faithful provision. Thank you for the assurance of eternal security that you’ve given us through your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us to hold onto this hope, especially in times of uncertainty. Just as you provided for Joseph and the Israelites, we ask for your provision in our lives. Strengthen our faith, O Lord, and help us to trust in your perfect timing and abundant provision. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Paul King

I post written versions of my powerful sermons exploring topics like prayer, praise, biblical truths, and more expressions of faith. My church has a deeply spiritual culture, which I try to convey through vivid storytelling and applications in our everyday life. I spread the Good Word with lots of conviction and passion.