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Trusting God in All Circumstances – Viral Believer
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Trusting God in All Circumstances

Trusting God is often easier said than done, especially when life gets hard. Yet, as Christians, we’re called to have faith and lean on God even in the toughest of times.

Trusting God In Every Circumstance

Life often throws us curveballs and leads us down paths we didn’t expect. Personal struggles with health, relationships, finances, or grief can leave us feeling overwhelmed. Global events and tragedies can seem senseless and even shake our faith.

In difficult seasons like this, we may be tempted to question God’s goodness and doubt His control over the universe. We wonder if He really cares about us and our plight. We may be gripped by fear and anxiety about the future.

But as Christians, we have a rock-solid foundation for our faith and life – God’s Word. The Bible makes profound promises and assurances that we can cling to, even in the stormiest of seas. Our faith calls us to firmly trust in God’s perfect plans and purposes, even when life doesn’t make sense.

The Scriptures assure us that God is intimately acquainted with all our ways (Psalm 139:3). He knows the number of hairs on our head (Luke 12:7)! We can be confident that our lives are in His hands, and nothing escapes His sovereign notice.

So how do we cultivate an unshakable trust in God even during difficulties and trials? What mindsets and spiritual disciplines can help anchor us when turmoil swirls around us? Let’s explore key Biblical truths about trusting God through all of life’s ups and downs.

Key Takeaways:

  • God is sovereign and ultimately in control even when life feels out of control
  • We can trust God’s perfect timing and purposes even when we don’t understand
  • Trusting God requires humility, patience, and perseverance through trials
  • God uses trials to refine and strengthen our faith in Him
  • We can find peace by fixing our eyes on Jesus and trusting His promises
  • The Holy Spirit empowers us to walk in trust and experience God’s joy

God is Sovereign Over All Things

The bedrock foundation for trusting God is understanding His complete sovereignty and control over everything. God reigns supreme over every atom and molecule in the universe He created. As Isaiah declares, “His understanding no one can fathom” (Isaiah 40:28).

God knows the end from the beginning because He has ordained all things according to His perfect will (Isaiah 46:10). Nothing takes Him by surprise, catches Him off guard, or thwarts His purposes. His plan is unfolding exactly as He designed it.

This truth anchored Abraham, who “against all hope, believed in hope” that God would fulfill His promises (Romans 4:18). Though Abraham faced many unknowns, reversals, and long waits, he trusted the God who “gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not” (Romans 4:17).

We can have rock-solid confidence that God holds tomorrow, and He holds our lives safely in His hands. Even when life feels out of control, He remains sovereign and trustworthy.

When trials come, we can say as Job did, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). Though terribly afflicted, Job recognized God’s supreme rights as Creator. We can trust our all-wise God to write our stories as part of His grand narrative.

God’s Timing is Always Perfect

A second key to trusting God is believing in His perfect timing. Unfortunately, God often does not operate according to our preferred timetable.

When the process feels slow and frustrating, we start second-guessing God’s wisdom. All too easily we slip into impatience and take matters into our own hands rather than waiting on the Lord.

But Scripture urges us to wait patiently for God’s perfect timing: “It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord” (Lamentations 3:26). “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness” (2 Peter 3:9).

God is never in a hurry, but He is also never late. He acts at precisely the right moment to achieve His sovereign purposes and maximize our benefit.

Abraham and Sarah got impatient waiting for God’s promise of a son, and hatched their own plan in Genesis 16. But God’s timing was perfect, and Isaac was born just when God intended.

When we wait on God rather than running ahead of Him, we can experience His ideal blessing. We also learn dependency, humility and trust in God’s wisdom. “But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31).

God Uses Trials for Our Good

A third facet of trusting God is believing in His good purposes, even in our trials. God promises, “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

This promise seems counterintuitive when we’re facing heartache, grief, or pain. How could this tragedy possibly be for our benefit?

Yet God uses trials and testing to mold us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). Difficulties train us to trust not in ourselves or our circumstances, but wholly in God. Through tears and suffering, we can come to know God in deeper ways.

James encourages, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:2–3). As God refines and purifies our faith through the fire, we emerge stronger and richer in Christ-like character.

The stories of biblical heroes like Joseph, David and Paul assure us that God uses all trials and adversity for greater purposes. Their trust in God amid affliction inspires our own faith.

Though mysteries remain in this life, we can trust God to use all circumstances – good or bad – for our eternal benefit. “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Keep Your Eyes Fixed on Jesus

A fourth key to unshakable trust is fixing our eyes on Jesus, “the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). When swirling storms tempt us to take our eyes off the Lord, we must intentionally set our minds on the Savior.

The book of Hebrews urges us to escape distraction and disbelief by focusing steadfastly on Christ: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Peter walked boldly on the waves while keeping his eyes on Jesus. But as soon as he took his gaze off the Lord and focused on the wind, he began to sink (Matthew 14:30). We must follow Peter’s example by looking intently to Jesus amid the storms.

The more we meditate on God’s Word and soak in His glorious promises, the more our faith will grow. As we behold the majesty of Christ, earthly troubles seem smaller and God’s sovereignty seems clearer. Fixing our eyes on Jesus is the surest anchor for our souls when winds arise.

Trust God’s Promises

God’s Word contains rock-solid promises we can lean upon during trials. In the Bible we find assurance of God’s nearness, comfort, help, strength, and ultimate deliverance. Let’s reflect on just a few key assurances we can count on:

  • “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” (Psalm 46:1)
  • “I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20)
  • “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
  • “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)
  • “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18)
  • “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.” (Psalm 30:5)

During difficulties, we can meditate on God’s promises and soak in their comfort. God’s Word revives drooping souls with fresh hope. It lifts our eyes from the problems to the power and presence of God.

Writing down meaningful promises helps us recall God’s trustworthiness when fears arise. We can pray these Scriptures back to the Lord, assured that He will be faithful.

The Holy Spirit Gives Strength

Lastly, we can trust God through trials by relying on the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit within us. Jesus assured His followers He would not leave them alone after His ascension: “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever” (John 14:16).

The Holy Spirit lives within every believer and provides strength, guidance, and help. He produces spiritual fruit like peace and joy to sustain us in hard times (Galatians 5:22-23).

Paul prayed for believers “to be strengthened with power through [God’s] Spirit in [our] inner being” (Ephesians 3:16). As we lean into the Spirit and yield to His control, He fills us with courage, faith, and determination to endure.

The Spirit also helps us in prayer, interceding “with groanings too deep for words” (Romans 8:26). We have supernatural help pleading our cares before God’s throne of grace.

Trusting God does not depend on our own strength but on the Spirit at work within us. Yielding to the Spirit’s leading is the pathway to persevering with joy, hope and courage, even amid trials.

So next time storms arise, remember to call upon the Holy Spirit. Declare in faith, “Greater is He who is in me than He who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). The Spirit will help you stand strong.

Conclusion

Trusting God through all of life’s ups and downs requires faith and courage. But God has not left us to fend for ourselves. He gives us His Word, packed with promises to light our way. He sent His Spirit to empower us from within. And we have the witness of the saints of old who walked by faith in their darkest nights.

May we anchor our souls to our sovereign, trustworthy God. Though weeping may come, joy will greet us in the morning. We can walk confidently into each day, knowing our lives are safely held by our compassionate Father.

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid” (Psalm 56:3-4).

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.