Can I Trust God When Life Falls Apart? Faith Through Adversity
Even amid confusing adversity, when our spirits feel crushed beneath a weight of sorrow, disbelief in our predicament, and hints of despair, God gives His children a fresh opportunity each day to lift their defeated gaze from their problems and embrace the certainty of His character.
This offering from Christ is as dependable as the sunrise itself.
For my human heart, this becomes a deliberate divine decision, as my life feels unexpectedly broken, leaving me entirely undone and overwhelmed.
However, I am learning that peace and new purpose arise from my tumultuous struggles as I turn my attentive gaze to Christ Jesus.
Most often, I still lack clarity of thought or a clear way forward, but I take my next step in faith, choosing to rest in the truth that God is always good and will do what is best for me. As I rest and wait for Him, He will, in time, show me what I need to do.
For now, He calls me to act only on this… Trust Me.
As Eugene Peterson says in The Message, “Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in complete dependence on me.” The Message Isaiah 30:15.
The end of that verse is always a startling warning to me: “the very thing you’ve been unwilling to do.”
Each time I read this verse, my broken heart cries out, “Oh God, I don’t want to be unyielding to what you desire of me. You know best that I need to stop striving, quit trying to fix my problem, and come to a place of quiet, contented rest in you.”
As we come to Christ Jesus in the midst of our mess, we meet a Savior who is waiting and willing to meet with us. His Word offers us the best counsel, and His character proves again and again that He is enough. Yes, even for this!
As I tuck myself beneath the wings of my LORD, free from the fray and frazzle of my struggle, God so sweetly and generously helps me experience a rest unlike any other, filling my soul with profound peace.
In the safety of His care, I am washed anew by all that He offers me. All that comes as I remain rooted in the promises of His flawless, divine plan. His providence is my protection, keeping me from trying to save myself.
Nothing feels perfect at this moment except for Him.
Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from deadly disease. He will cover you with his feathers. He will shelter you with his wings. His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Psalm 91:1-4 NLT
What if our difficulties serve this purpose: to accept God’s hand of mercy, deepen our understanding of Him, draw us closer to intimacy with Christ, and grow in our faith? What might we miss if our only prayer is for our trials to end?
- How would your perspective change if you saw your current challenges as opportunities to know God more deeply?
- What does “drawing closer to intimacy with Christ” look like in the middle of difficult circumstances?
- Which Scriptures have encouraged you to trust God when you couldn’t understand your circumstances?
Too often, we focus solely on escaping our troubles, overlooking how God is working in and through us and those we love during times of suffering. When our deepest need is to see our trials end, we miss the chance to witness God move in mysterious and wonderful ways.
If you’re struggling today, don’t miss the handprint of God on your life!
I know it’s easier to wish our problems away and seek escape from trouble, but God is always at work for our good and His glory. Keep your eyes open. Keep your heart soft. He is working despite your adversity.
Even with a heavy heart, through tears of regret, sorrow, or uncertainty, offer Him a sacrifice of praise today. Herein lies the miracle of peace amid troubled times.
In moments of weakness, rely fully on Christ’s strength. Even amid adversity, regret, and sorrow, trust His providence, accept His promises, and receive His peace. Watch for a miracle to burst forth and bloom from the ashes.
We don’t always know the way forward, but we can live one day at a time, embracing God’s care and goodness. The outcome will come, and we will have stayed fully present throughout our journey of waiting.
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6 NLT
Linda Jane Dingeldein: Different by Design
Kintsugi is an ancient Japanese art form.
Repairing broken tea ware by reassembling each piece with gold creates a masterpiece that is richer and stronger than its original design.
This restorative process begins by recognizing that each broken or cracked piece is needed to re-create something of exceptional worth. In this accepting act, redemption is birthed. A rich story of beauty through brokenness.
The process of embracing our brokenness allows us to acknowledge our imperfections as needful, as we invite the Master Creator to make us into a new masterpiece.
It is in this yielding that we can experience true healing from God’s hands of mercy and grace.
Watercolor by: Linda Jane Dingeldein
Linda Dingeldein
After twenty-five years as a missionary, Linda Jane is now entering a new ministry role as pastor’s wife; where she will serve alongside of her husband Joel, in Warren, Pennsylvania. The calling to serve Christ remains the same, as does her endeavor to reach women with the gospel message, and to teach them to live authentically out of who God created them to be. Linda's passion is communication through the spoken and written word, photography and illustration. She loves all things cultural, creative and colorful.
