How to Have Faith in God During Hard Times

February came in waves of smoky grey. Patches of blackened snow lined the country roads, and overcast skies cast dim shadows. I was desperate for a quiet reminder about how to have faith in God during hard times.

I went to the woods to find hope on a monochrome afternoon. Perhaps God’s created world would somehow breathe life into my faltering faith.

Beneath the oaks, my mind drifted to the words penned by Henry David Thoreau: “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived” (101).

How to Have Faith in God During Hard Times

I go to the woods when the struggles of life wear on me. Slowing down in the forest settles me and centers me.

As I stood in the forest on the grey winter afternoon, I looked at the trees overhead.

They stood in skeletal silence, staring at the firmament. The only sign of life was a pin oak tree. For some reason, it had not yet let go of its canopy.

I pondered it, thinking of Christ’s words about abiding:

“If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned” (John 15:6).

Perhaps the pin oak leaves hold a secret to help us have faith in God during hard times: When life is bleak and difficult, we cling to our Life Source.

How to Have Faith in God During Hard Times: 4 Ways

What might it look like to cling to God like leaves clinging to an oak tree? Here are four practical ways to cling to the Lord.

1. Stay in the Word.

God’s Word is living and active. It holds the power to strengthen our faith.

God wants to renew our minds with his written Word. When life is difficult, make it a priority to read the Bible daily. Memorize verses. Use a commentary and study the Word. Write about what you read in a journal.

God wants to speak to you, and he speaks most often through his Word.

2. Keep the conversation going.

Prayer doesn’t have to be reserved for quiet moments beside candles.

Set aside time to talk to God in prayer and then keep the conversation going throughout the day. Talk to him as you would talk to your closest friend. In the process, he will strengthen you and build your faith.

3. Spend time with people who encourage you.

We were created for relationships with others. Spend time with people who will encourage you and point you toward the Lord. Faith grows in community, not isolation.

4. Refuse to blame God.

Last, if you want to learn how to have faith in God in hard times, keep a soft heart. Resist the temptation to blame God for the troubles that have come into your life.

God can use all circumstances for good, but he does not joyfully inflict you with trouble.

How to Grow in Faith in God

As for me, I walk farther, passing a small grove of oaks. Much to my surprise, every tree in the grove holds onto its leaves.

Suddenly, a thought comes to mind: Perhaps it’s not up to the leaves to hold on.

Perhaps the leaves remain because the oak trees refuse to let go.

Maybe this is true of us as well. We think we’re holding onto God. In reality, he is holding onto us.

A Free Resource to Help You Learn How to Grow in Faith in God During Hard Times:

God wants to lift your head. Learn how to turn to him for hope and healing by downloading a free chapter of my book, Lean Into Grace. This chapter will help you process your emotions and bring your broken heart to God for healing. This chapter “Crying in the Bathroom,” is yours for free with promo code GRACE right here today.

Calling all moms and dauhters!

Additionally, my teen daughter, Bekah, and I are passionate about helping moms and daughters grow closer while connecting with God. We have written two mother-daughter devotionals together. Girl to Girl: 60 Mother-Daughter Devotions for a Closer Relationship and Deeper Faith is written for girls ages 7-12. It includes 60 devotions with Scripture, conversation starters, and a shared journaling section after each devotion.

Heart to Heart: A Mother-Daughter Devotional With 50 Devotions for Teen Girls is for teenage girls ages 13-20. It includes 50 devotions, each with a shared journaling section to help moms and daughters connect through writing. This is a great book for moms who want to communicate about awkward topics—like dating, purity, peer pressure, and more—but don’t know where to start. We will help you!

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