Depending on God When Your Faith Seems Weak
Depending on God When Your Faith Seems Weak
Depending on God means that you are relying solely on your spiritual beliefs and trust in the higher power that makes no mistakes. It is a point of spiritual surrender and profound reliance on God’s grace to carry you through whatever you are facing.
Most Christians have been there at some point in their lives. Why? Life happens to everyone, and there are no exceptions. At some point, even if you are close to God, know all of His mercies, and have the faith of Job, life throws things, such as tragedy, death, betrayal, financial issues, and severe disappointments. All of these can vex your spiritual realm.
“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.”
“For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not see when heat cometh, but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8 (KJV)
What does it mean to depend on God when your faith seems weak?
- A paradox of weakness and strength. In moments of despair, you feel your weakness most acutely. However, this emptiness creates a space for divine strength to fill you, transforming your vulnerability into power.
- Walking by faith, not by sight, giving God your weakness. When you can no longer see a clear path forward in your life, this means that your confidence is in God’s promises, not in visible or predictable outcomes. It requires letting go of control and trusting God’s wisdom, even when His plan may be contrary to yours.
- An opportunity for growth. Being at rock bottom can be a “refining fire” that strengthens your faith. It is in these broken moments that God does His “best work,” revealing truths, providing assurance, and restoring what was lost.
- The path to peace. Having these moments of surrender offers a pathway to peace that breaks through the chaos of difficult times.
The peace comes from trusting that your circumstances are under God’s control, rather than your own. Fall into His mercy. Weak faith in a strong God still moves mountains!
Biblical examples of relying on God
Throughout the Bible, many figures faced moments when their faith was all they had. Their stories offer lessons on how to navigate such trials.
- Job: Though he lost his family, fortune, and health, Job persevered, trusting God’s plan even when he could not understand it.
- Daniel: When Daniel was taken captive to Babylon and removed from all that was familiar, he held onto his faith and resolve to serve God in a new environment.
- The Widow of Zarephath: With only a small amount of flour and oil left, she trusted the prophet Elijah’s word and was provided for miraculously until the drought ended (2 Kings 4).
- Paul: He received a “thorn in the flesh” that God did not remove. God’s response was, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).
- King Jehoshaphat: Facing overwhelming armies, he cried out to God. “We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:12).
How to lean on God more sufficiently
- Be honest with God. If you haven’t forgiven someone, that is the first step. However, it’s okay to admit your feelings of frustration or emptiness to God. Telling him about what you are dealing with can be a path to greater standing in your relationship with Him. He can handle your thoughts of insufficiency.
- Focus on God’s character. When your circumstances are uncertain, remember who God is: faithful, sovereign, and loving. He is the anchor for your soul, and his promises are your foundation.
- Stay in the present moment. Instead of worrying about an unknown future, focus on the present. Engage in mindful activities and practice gratitude for small blessings. Meditate on God’s word and declare its truth over your situation.
- Build spiritual habits. Prayer, reading Scripture, and attending church can create a nurturing environment to rebuild your faith during a crisis.
- Don’t try to go it alone. You don’t have to go through a crisis alone. Sharing your burden with trusted friends or a small group can offer the support and perspective you need when your own faith is failing.
What are other ways to nurture faith and dependence on God in trying times?
- During difficult times, you can nurture your faith by focusing on specific practices and perspectives that anchor your hope, even when the future is uncertain.
- Deepen prayer. Beyond simply asking for help, praise Him for what He has already done for you. Use your feelings of hopelessness to spur you toward more authentic, honest conversations with God. You can also pray for others in need or use scripted prayers, such as those found in the Psalms, which express a full range of human emotions, including despair.
- Study scripture purposefully. Instead of just reading, meditate on biblical texts, focusing on God’s attributes and promises. Search for verses on a specific struggle, and allow the truth of God’s Word to provide light and perspective on your anxieties.
- Practice gratitude. Make a conscious effort to focus on God’s goodness, even amid suffering. This can involve keeping a gratitude journal or simply thanking God for small blessings, which shifts your focus from your problems to God’s providence.
- Serve others. Shifting your focus from your own pain to the needs of others can be a powerful way to live out your faith. Acts of service, like helping a neighbor or volunteering, offer priceless and eternal value.
- Worship despite the pain. Worship is not just for good times. It is a way of intentionally valuing God above all else, which can help reorient your focus away from your circumstances. Even if you feel spiritually drained, choosing to praise God can refresh and strengthen you.
Summary: Keeping Faith in God During Hard Times
Pray and ask God to increase your faith in Him. I know this isn’t always easy. I’ve experienced seasons when the circumstances would not go away and were hard.
Embrace the struggle. Frame your trial as an opportunity for spiritual growth. The Bible teaches that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. God uses these trials to refine your character in ways you cannot learn otherwise.
Find spiritual rest. In an overstimulated world, rest is a spiritual discipline. Jesus invites those who are weary to find rest in him, which is a key to overcoming anxiety. Learn to turn to God for peace instead of being worn out trying to figure everything out on your own.
Keep an eternal perspective. Remember that your current hardships are temporary. When you fix your eyes on what is eternal, you gain hope and resilience to endure present suffering. Your faith points to a reality beyond your current circumstances.
Connect with others. Surround yourself with those who may have walked the same paths and endured by depending fully upon God to rescue them. Someone who can provide encouragement, support, and prayer. Sharing your struggles with trusted friends can remind you that you are not alone and that God intended for his followers to support one another.
Decide to depend and fully trust God. Depending on God is a continuous choice. Like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, whose faith was settled even when facing a fiery furnace, you can make a fundamental decision to trust God. This single decision can strengthen your resolve and keep you from having to make many small, fearful ones.
