How do we trust God despite hopeless circumstances?

We all go through stuff that we don’t understand and we often wonder why God allowed them in the first place. Does our faith in God, waver based on happenings and circumstances? I believe that our very humanness will at times influence our faith negatively, especially when we try to walk by sight, and to live by feelings.

What is Faith/Trust in God?

Faith is deeper than trusting God for good things in life. Faith on one hand, is trusting the goodness of God, that He is a good Father who provides good gifts for (or satisfies the needs of) His children in His perfect time. On the other hand, it is also trusting the heart of God, that even if He allows us to go through a painful or a humbling experience, it is only to help us grow more in love and humility, to shape us into His Holy image, to allow His character to shine through us, and to enable us to empathize with others going through similar situations so we can comfort them and share the Source of our hope. So the core of faith is to know who God really is and to have an unwavering trust that whatever our lot in life, His grace will carry us through. Somebody said, “If you can’t trust God’s ways, trust His heart!”.

What do we do when the problems get the better of us?

I’d be lying if I say I never get discouraged when bad things happen or when good things do not happen. But I’ve found that the best thing to do when in pain or in hopelessness, is to cast it all upon Jesus - to be honest with Him about my feelings and to surrender all those brokenness right under His feet - day after day after day. I’ve learnt that at the place of surrender, His grace renews our burdened soul, and this continuous dependency on God helps us develop a deeper intimacy with Him like never before.

What if we are too broken to trust God, or when the problem starts feeling like a bottomless pit, with no escape route whatsoever? Take it to the Lord in prayer. Prayer is the most wonderful privilege we have from God. A sincere, heartfelt cry - “Help thou mine unbelief!” - is all that God expects of us when doubts creep into our hearts, making it difficult to trust in God’s goodness towards us.

Can’t help but share this beautiful hymn that sums is all up..

What a Friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged; take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness; take it to the Lord in prayer.

Are we weak and heavy laden, cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior still our refuge, take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do your friends despise, forsake you? Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He'll take and shield you; you will find a solace there.

Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised Thou wilt all our burdens bear
May we ever, Lord, be bringing all to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright unclouded there will be no need for prayer
Rapture, praise and endless worship will be our sweet portion there.