Trusting God in the midst of bad circumstances
I had this realization that seems really obvious, but for some reason it took me a while to get it.
I should be just as confident that things are going to work out when they look crazy as when everything looks fine and dandy. The opposite is true as well. Even though things look peaceful and calm, that is not an indication of security. Our security comes from God. It is not at all dependent on what is going on around us. Whether it is the economy, our finances, our children, our marriages, we can (and should) trust God with all of it.
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
It just dawned on me recently after going through a faith test that it really doesn’t matter whether it is easy or difficult to trust God. As my circumstances began to “look” better, I noticed myself trusting a bit less in God and a bit more in myself. After all my circumstances weren’t requiring as much faith. I kind of slapped myself a bit and realized that I am no less dependent on God when things are going good as I am when they are going terrible.
The good circumstances are only an illusion of security. When things look good, it is easy to understand how things will all work out. But isn’t it amazing how quick I can go running back to God with Faith when things look bad again. I quickly realize how insecure “good circumstances” really are.
The great news is that for believers, bad circumstances are only an illusion of a lack of security.
Trust God in the storm
It reminds me of Jesus sleeping on the boat during the middle of the storm. He said, “let us go to the other side.” But yet when things started looking bad enough, they started to doubt that would happen. The truth is, no matter how bad things looked, they really were no more insecure. They had God in the flesh on the boat with them! How could they really think that they wouldn’t make it?
Mark 4:35-41
On that day, when evening came, He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd, they took Him along with them in the boat, just as He was; and other boats were with Him. And there arose a fierce gale of wind, and the waves were breaking over the boat so much that the boat was already filling up. Jesus Himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” And He got up and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Hush, be still.” And the wind died down and it became perfectly calm. And He said to them, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They became very much afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?”
When they finally were freaking out enough, they woke him up and frustrated with their lack of faith, he told the storm to calm down. They just didn’t get it. They didn’t realize who Jesus was. They didn’t realize that it didn’t matter how bad it got, He was there with them.
It is no different for us today. We have the promise of God that He will never leave us, nor forsake us. It doesn’t matter how bad things look, it is merely an illusion. Don’t be deceived, when your trust is in God, you could not be more secure.
Trusting God brings peace… It just dawned on me recently after going through a faith test that it really doesn’t matter whether it is easy or difficult to trust God. As my circumstances began to “look” better, I noticed myself trusting a bit less in God and a bit more in myself. After all my circumstances weren’t requiring as much faith. I kind of slapped myself a bit and realized that I am no less dependent on God when things are going good as I am when they are going terrible.
{ 17 comments… read them below or add one }
It’s so easy for me to get caught up in all the hype about the stock market. I start to think doom and gloom. Then I remember, He was and is, and is to come. He’s been around long before the American stock market. I’m pretty sure that Jehovah can give us stability greater than our stocks and bonds.
Yeah, my post today was about having hope in these tough times, and realizing that God IS in control. Very reassuring. great post!
It is days like today in the market (up 11+%) that help those that don’t have faith in God. It helps us Christians too don”t get me wrong, but Every day, whether the markets are up or down, my faith is solid. I realize it’s all His money anyways. We sometimes think we’ll in control, but God ultimately is a sovereign God who is always in control even when it appears the world is falling apart. I love your perspective here Bob!
Jay Peroni, CFP
Amen.
great post. i needed to hear it!
Interesting post…very reassuring that God will come through NO matter what! Oh Praise HIM for that
I agree that GOD is in control. Problem with man is that we want to see it to believe it. Crucial mistake as GOD requires us to trust HIM abd not what you see as this is temporary. I am going through a rough time and just realized that it is not GOD that causes this cause HE wants to punish us, but because HE loves us so much in fact more that we could ever phatom, that’s HE allows this in order for us to obey, love and follow only HIM. All praise be to GOD the Father, JESUS CHRIST snd the HOLY SPIRIT! Please pray for me.
until we learn to let go, we will not be able to let God. when situations arise, he expects us to fall on him totally without holding back. it might like we will fall but because he can not deny himself, he will surely show up.
This has really helped to encourage my faith. My mom was diagnosed with cancer last year and currently things don’t look real good. But this post made me realize that God is my ever preset help in times of trouble. God keeps telling me to walk by faith and not by sight. Just like the diciples in the boat I have nothing to worry about because the living God is with me. Thank you so much for the encouragment!
I agree hold heartedly with Chrissy.
I often have to remind myself of this.
Let us indeed Trust GOD at ALL times. Our heavenly father didn’t wants His children to suffer on all the downs of life but to always give thanks to Him and to trust Him. great post to be shared.=)
Trusting in God is vital. The bibles without faith it is impossible to please God. As humans we live by sight and not by faith. Thanks for this timely reminder.
Thank you for your post. My grandmother has a stoke one week ago, and she loves God so much. I was looking for verses to encourage her and give her strength to get through the next couple of months. This is going to be a struggle for her and I want to her to remember that she isn’t alone in any of this!
I had written a comment some time ago about my mom who had cancer and I feel that I should share that she passed away on September 9, 2009. I was shocked because so many people were praying for her including myself. I feel like God healed her by taking her to heaven. Mom loved the Lord and often talked about how great it will be to finally go home to heaven. She was thinking more along the lines of the rapture but she is there with Jesus now where she belongs, where all believers belong. I was angry with God for a while but I have now been getting closer to him then ever before. Sometimes God answers our prayers in ways that are different then what we planned but I have realized that he is in complete control and that I trust him. He has provided for me in this hard time. I will be with mom in heaven someday but for now I want to rest in Christ and enjoy the life he has given me. God is for me no matter what.
The post was just what I needed to read. As I wait to have a procedure done, I am forcing myself to remember that God is with me no matter what the situation looks like. I realize that underlying all of what I am feeling is my not accepting forgiveness for my sins. I believe that God has forgiven me, but part of me has not not forgiven myself. It’s like I haven’t used my gifts and talent for God’s purpose. It’s like I haven’t been “good enough”. I need to stop letting doubt creep in. I know that God loves me. I know that He has forgiven me for my sins. I know that He has a purpose for my life. I know that I can get through this by leaning on the Lord knowing that he will provide based on his will and devine wisdom.
I stumbled on this site. . . thank the Good Lord. . .the reason I was browsing the internet seems much less important after reading these posts. My financial struggle, pending foreclosure and desperation for a breakthrough are so not important compared to Chrissy’s post and the others on illness and death. And how refreshing to read of your trust and faith in our Father. Nothing happens by accident and this is exactly the reminder that I needed to let Go and let God. . . for real. . .
God bless each of you and I will lift you in my prayers.
I was looking for encouragement and I came across this site and I am so glad I did. I, like a lot of you, needed a reminder that God is with us at all times. I am going through a very difficult time with unemployment, disability and possible homelessness. Just a few days ago I didn’t know how I would pay this month’s rent, I prayed and asked God to please help me and a friend was able to loan me the money. But, this morning I woke-up already worrying about next month. I should know from my recent experience to trust God, but I always seem to slip and start to worry. I needed to hear the words on this page to remind me to stop worrying and trust God. I will continue to pray and read this site over and over when I feel myself slipping and starting to worry, because the words here are so true. God bless you all.