Sustaining Faith in Hard Times
Is it possible to walk through life experiences without moments of struggle? As much as we would love to hear a yes to this, I’m sure you’d undoubtedly remember a moment today when things didn’t exactly go as planned, and that my friend, is the reality of life — the ups and downs, the good times and bad, the days when you’re full of energy and feeling like you could go up Mount Everest without sweating it, and the days when you develop cold feet even with things you love.
We all experience challenging times as individuals, but the difference between those who sink in them and those who soar high is the ability of one to sustain faith in God through those moments in our lives. This is why I particularly love the Psalmist, David.
Whether it is the death of a loved one, the failure of a dream that we cherish, or even the basic issues of life survival, at some point in our lives, we are usually left with no hope. In these instances, we learn about the object of faith that we possess, at least for a considerable period.
In today’s world, we’re used to getting things quickly; fast food, next-day deliveries, or instant connections through apps. This can make us expect immediate results in life, and when things don’t go our way, we throw a tantrum, get frustrated, and sometimes even give up. Some people even expect the same instant results from their faith, thinking of it as a transaction: “If I do this, I should get that.” But life and faith don’t work like that.
Faith is not a transactional culture, where you pay for something and expect it to be delivered quickly. Faith is about trust, perseverance, and resilience in the face of the unknown. It’s about believing that something greater is at work, even when it’s not immediately visible to you. Keeping our faith in hard times can be very difficult, especially when the things we hope to receive are pressing needs, but what makes it beautiful are the lessons we stand to learn through the process of faith, like a preacher once said “We become wiser in hard times if we don’t give up.”
Faith means trusting in a consistent and loving God who provides even in times of silence and waiting. Others may have faith in the strength of humanity, the inherent goodness of people, or the power of perseverance. Regardless of the source, faith requires us to look beyond the present moment and not judge success solely by immediate results.
We must also learn the nature of God in uncertain times; He doesn’t ‘change’ (Malachi 3:6), He ‘never leaves’ (Deuteronomy 31:8), and He is ‘Good’ (Psalms 100:4-5). What this tells us mostly is that the constant (k) factor in our lives regardless of our situation — loss of a loved one, an abrupt job loss, a broken marriage, change of countries — is God & His character and that ‘He is good and His mercies endure forever’ (Psalms 100:4-5).
I’ll share with you three ways that have helped me sustain my faith in God through hard times. They are beyond tips; think of them as foundational pillars that hold up in times of need. It might not give all the answers but it can help start.
Give thanks.
Have you ever thought about why it’s so difficult to thank God when things are not great at all? How can you thank God after failing an exam, losing money to fraud activities or investments, or experiencing the loss of a sibling or parent? It certainly sounds uneasy to the natural mind, but it’s something our human minds can’t comprehend. David, after complaining and pouring his heart out to God on his troubles and loss, would end it with thanksgiving.
This shows us that thanksgiving isn’t just a gesture we show for good things done to us, it helps us keep our eyes on God who is present at all times. This ultimately helps us understand what we are going through.
When we cultivate the habit of thanking God in Hard times, it becomes easier for us to remember the past experiences of God’s goodness in our lives. This further strengthens you to go through every hurdle you face along the way. So each day, practice thanking God for everything as you remember them, even when they aren’t favorable.
Remember God in the Past.
It is possible to get caught up in our present struggles and lose sight of our past victories. Remembering our past victories is essential if we are to remain motivated and confident in the midst of trials. It reminds us of God’s faithfulness and the wisdom invested in overcoming them. Also, looking back at how you overcame personal adversity or how people helped you can remind you that you’re resilient.
You can take a practical step by writing out a list of previous challenges and how you overcame them. Reflect on them and allow these memories to speak to your heart again. What’s beautiful about remembrance is that it helps you relive those moments as though they were in the present.
Stay plugged in
Another powerful way to sustain your faith in hard times is by surrounding yourself with a supportive community. David had the men from cave adullam.
We can be tempted to isolate ourselves during hard times but to be honest, you don’t have to go through them alone. It is said that there’s nothing new under the sun, meaning there is no new problem.
Every challenge we face today must have been experienced by someone in the past. Allowing people into your life during these times will open you to the comfort needed to stay in faith. Even if you’re not religious having a circle of people who care about you, give advice or simply stand by your side can make a significant difference in your journey through life.
Take some time to reflect on all these over again and you’ll see the treasure in them and how they are critical in helping you to live through the hard times in your journey through life.
