Life has a way of bringing unexpected challenges that test our faith to its core. Whether you’re facing financial struggles, health issues, relationship problems, or loss, difficult times can make you question everything—including your faith. But it’s precisely in these moments that learning to rely on God becomes most important.
If you’re wondering how to trust God when life feels overwhelming, you’re not alone. This guide offers practical, biblical ways to strengthen your faith and find peace during life’s hardest seasons.
Understanding What It Means to Rely on God
Relying on God doesn’t mean your problems will instantly disappear or that you won’t feel pain. Instead, it means trusting that God is present in your suffering and that His strength can carry you through what you cannot handle alone.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
Relying on God is about surrendering control, acknowledging our limitations, and believing that God’s plan is greater than our current circumstances.
Practical Ways to Trust God Through Hardship
1. Turn to Prayer First, Not Last
When difficulty strikes, our natural instinct is to problem-solve on our own. But prayer should be our first response, not our last resort.
Prayer is your direct line to God. It’s where you can be honest about your fears, anger, and confusion. God can handle your raw emotions—He already knows what you’re feeling.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:6-7
Start each day by surrendering your worries to God. Pray throughout the day, not just during scheduled quiet times. Share your burdens with Him as they arise, and ask for His strength to face each moment.
2. Immerse Yourself in Scripture
The Bible is filled with stories of people who faced impossible situations and witnessed God’s faithfulness. Reading these accounts reminds us that we serve a God who specializes in the impossible.
Some powerful scriptures for trusting God in hard times include:
“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” – Psalm 46:1
“So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” – Isaiah 41:10
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” – Romans 8:28
Write these verses down. Memorize them. Speak them aloud when fear threatens to overwhelm you.
3. Remember God’s Past Faithfulness
When you’re in the middle of a storm, it’s easy to forget how God has helped you before. Take time to recall past difficulties and how God brought you through them.
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.” – Psalm 77:11
Keep a journal documenting answered prayers and moments when you’ve seen God’s hand in your life. During hard times, review these entries to remind yourself that the same God who helped you then is still with you now.
4. Surrender Control
One of the hardest parts of relying on God is letting go of our need to control outcomes. We want to fix things on our timeline, in our way. But true faith requires surrendering our plans to God’s greater purpose.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11:28-29
This doesn’t mean becoming passive. It means doing what you can while trusting God with what you cannot control. It’s the balance between faithful action and peaceful surrender.
Ask yourself: “Am I trying to carry burdens God never intended me to bear alone?”
5. Stay Connected to Community
Isolation intensifies suffering. God designed us for community, and we need fellow believers to encourage us, pray for us, and remind us of truth when we’re struggling to see it.
Join a small group, attend church regularly, or reach out to trusted Christian friends. Let others support you—it’s not a sign of weakness but of wisdom.
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” – James 5:16
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
6. Practice Gratitude Even in Pain
Gratitude shifts our focus from what’s wrong to what remains good. Even in the darkest times, there are still reasons to thank God.
This isn’t about denying your pain or pretending everything is fine. It’s about choosing to acknowledge God’s goodness alongside your struggle.
“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Start a gratitude practice: each day, write down three things you’re thankful for. They can be small—a warm cup of coffee, a kind word from a friend, the fact that you woke up this morning.
7. Worship Through the Struggle
Worship is powerful spiritual warfare. When you choose to praise God despite your circumstances, you’re declaring that He is bigger than your problems.
Listen to worship music. Sing songs of praise even when you don’t feel like it. Your worship doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be honest.
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” – Habakkuk 3:17-18
The Psalms show us that worship can include lament, questions, and pain. David often expressed his anguish to God before ending with praise and trust.
When Trusting God Feels Impossible
There will be days when faith feels impossible. When prayers seem unanswered and God feels distant. This is normal, and it doesn’t mean you’ve failed.
Faith isn’t about never having doubts—it’s about choosing to trust God even when doubts arise. It’s okay to tell God, “I’m struggling to trust You right now. Help my unbelief.”
“Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!'” – Mark 9:24
Remember that feelings are not facts. God’s presence doesn’t depend on your ability to feel it.
“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” – Hebrews 13:5
Finding Strength in God’s Promises
God doesn’t promise that life will be easy for His followers. In fact, Jesus told us clearly what to expect.
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
Here’s what God does promise:
- He will never leave you or forsake you
- His grace is sufficient for you
- He works all things together for good
- His strength is made perfect in your weakness
- He will give you peace that surpasses understanding
“But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
These aren’t empty words—they’re the foundation you can build your life on, even when everything else feels unstable.
The Purpose Behind Your Pain
While we may not understand why God allows certain hardships, Scripture tells us that trials can produce perseverance, character, and hope.
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” – Romans 5:3-5
Your current struggle may be preparing you for something greater. It may be developing character you’ll need for future challenges. Or it may be positioning you to help others who will face similar difficulties.
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” – 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
God wastes nothing. Even your pain has purpose in His hands.
Taking the Next Step
Relying on God through difficult times is a journey, not a destination. Some days you’ll feel strong in your faith; other days you’ll barely hold on. Both are okay.
Start where you are today. Choose one practical step from this guide—maybe it’s praying first thing in the morning, or reading one Psalm each day, or reaching out to a friend for prayer support.
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8
Trust isn’t built overnight. It’s built through small, consistent choices to turn toward God instead of away from Him. Each time you choose faith over fear, you’re strengthening your spiritual muscles.
Final Encouragement
Whatever you’re facing today, know that you’re not alone. The God who parted the Red Sea, who brought Jesus back from the grave, who has sustained millions of believers through impossible circumstances—that same God is with you right now.
He sees your pain. He knows your struggle. And He is faithful.
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” – Psalm 34:18
“Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” – 1 Peter 5:7
Keep holding on. Keep praying. Keep trusting. The darkness won’t last forever, and the dawn is coming.
“Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” – Psalm 30:5
What’s one way you can lean on God’s strength today? Start there, and trust Him with the rest.
