We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
— 2 Corinthians 4:8–9

There are times in life when the hits just keep coming. You’re already in the valley with some kind of trial… financial strain, illness, relational pain, mental exhaustion, and just as you try to catch your breath, another wave crashes in. It feels like too much. And the question rises from deep within: How am I supposed to keep trusting God when I can’t see a way out, and things seem to keep getting worse?

The apostle Paul knew what it was like to suffer (beatings, imprisonments, betrayal, hunger, shipwrecks), and not only once but multiple times. Yet in the middle of that mountain of hardship, he declared: “We are not crushed… not in despair… not abandoned.” How? Not by his own strength, but because he had a resilient trust in a God who has the final word.

When trials pile on, faith becomes less about understanding and more about endurance… less about answers and more about the presence of God. Scripture never promises us an easy life, but it does promise that we are never alone.

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me…”
— Psalm 23:4

The key is not to wait for the storm to pass before we trust. It’s to trust while the thunder rolls. Faith isn’t proven in the calm, but in the chaos. And Jesus, our King of Kings, who’s walked through suffering Himself, invites us to come close, to pour out our hearts honestly and lean into Him.

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”
— Psalm 56:3

I have seen God move in such incredible ways in my life. I have seen God move mountains. I’ve been through tragedy that no parent should face. God brought me through the deepest valley. God is faithful. I know this. Still, especially when I see my children or grandchildren struggle, I need to remind myself of God’s faithfulness with my own faith and trust.

So, how do we proceed with faith and trust in hard times?

Stay rooted in God’s Word. Even when your emotions fluctuate, His Word is steady. Read it, speak it out loud, cling to it. I swear by reading my Bible out loud. I don’t do it because I like to hear my voice. I do it because I need to hear the words spoken. I do it because, for me, hearing it and saying it helps me to remember it.

Be honest in prayer. God isn’t afraid of your fear, your questions, your doubts. He welcomes them. God knows your feelings already. Your openness makes it easier for you to hear what God has to say to you.

Remember past faithfulness. Write down or reflect on how God has carried you (and others) before. God hasn’t changed. Remembering how God has brought you through past trials is a good reminder that He can do it again. This mountain may be bigger, but our God is stronger.

Your pain is real, but so is God’s presence. Your fear is valid, but so is God’s faithfulness. Remember that trusting God doesn’t mean we stop feeling pain or needing support. Even Jesus wept. Even David, a man after God’s own heart, poured out his suffering in the Psalms. Trusting God doesn’t mean everything is fine. It means bringing our pain to Him, not hiding it. Our faith isn’t a denial of suffering. It’s a way through it.

Finally, lean on community. Let trusted believers hold your arms up when you’re too weary to do it alone. Remember Moses’ arms being held up by Aaron and Hur that I talked about on Sunday? Even Moses needed support. I have my closest prayer warriors praying for our families’ need right now. It is actually why I moved this morning from my Old Testament study back into a topical one.

I needed a reminder (and usually when I do, the Spirit convinces me someone else might, too) that when even more challenging things get added to a difficult circumstance we are already in, our God is greater.

Our God is good and faithful and with us in and through it all. So, my community, would you, please, with her permission, add my daughter, Megan, and her unborn baby boy to your prayers? This momma/Aga would appreciate it. If you are going through a hard season, our family will pray for you, too. Send me a message. We don’t need details. God knows them. Just let us know who/what to pray for.