How to Trust God in Hard Times When Everything Feels Broken
I’ve had nights where I cried myself to sleep, mornings where I couldn’t get out of bed, and weeks that felt like God had gone silent. But even in that pain, there was something deeper calling me to trust Him anyway. Not blindly, not perfectly—but faithfully.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5–6, NKJV)
This verse has anchored me more times than I can count. But let’s be real—trusting God in hard times is rarely easy. It takes heart. It takes tears. And it takes being honest with Him.
What Does It Actually Mean to Trust God in Hard Times?
We say it all the time—“just trust God.” But when life is falling apart, what does that really look like?
Trusting God looks like this:
- Reading His Word even when it feels dry
- Praying through tears with nothing fancy to say
- Choosing not to run away even when your faith feels shaky
- Believing His promises, not your emotions
- Leaning into Scripture, even if it’s one verse at a time
When I was barely hanging on, I started reading from a simple daily guide I found called the 30-Day Chronological Bible Plan. Honestly? It gave me just enough structure and hope to get back on track.
And if you’re like me and need something deeper, this Bible Study Plan PDF helped me stay focused when my mind was flooded with worry.
Is It a Sin to Doubt God During Hard Times?
Let’s clear something up: God is not mad at you for struggling. Doubt doesn’t disqualify you. It just means you’re human.
Even David cried out, “How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1, NKJV)
Even Jesus, on the cross, said, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46, NKJV)
Your doubts don’t scare Him. You can be real with God. Just don’t stop talking to Him.
If you need proof, read this reminder: God is not afraid of your mess. That truth changed the way I approached prayer.
Can You Trust God Without Knowing the Outcome?
This was one of my biggest struggles. I wanted to trust God, but I also wanted guarantees. I wanted healing, a breakthrough, a rescue—but sometimes, those didn’t come the way I expected.
Here’s what helped me:
I started reminding myself:
- God is good, even when life isn’t
- His plan is bigger than what I see right now
- Faith isn’t about outcomes—it’s about obedience
That shift in thinking helped me finally surrender. And in surrender, I found peace I didn’t expect.
How the Bible Teaches Us to Trust God Through Pain
The Bible is full of real people who faced impossible situations and still chose trust.
Job lost everything—his family, his health, his wealth. Yet he said, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15, NKJV) That kind of trust doesn’t come easy, but it comes through surrender.
Paul was beaten, imprisoned, and shipwrecked—yet he wrote, “We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed… struck down, but not destroyed.” (2 Corinthians 4:8–9, NKJV)
When I started to read stories like that, I realized I wasn’t alone. I also came across this powerful article that reminded me when you’re weak, God still walks with you—and that message got me through some dark days.
Learning to Surrender What You Can’t Control
One of the most freeing things I’ve learned is this: I don’t have to control everything—because God already does.
But surrender isn’t passive. It’s choosing to let go of what was never mine to hold.
Here’s what surrender looked like for me:
- Writing out my fears and handing them to God in prayer
- Deleting the backup plans I was holding onto “just in case”
- Saying out loud, “God, I trust You more than I trust myself”
I even made it a habit to end every night with a simple end-of-day prayer, like this one:
👉 End-of-day prayer to thank God—just one powerful minute
That one minute reminded me that He’s still in control, even when I’m not.
The Power of Worship When You Don’t Feel Like It
When you’re in pain, worship feels like the last thing you want to do—but it’s one of the most powerful things you can do.
I started small. A simple worship playlist while I washed dishes. Singing softly in the car. Whispering His name when I couldn’t sleep.
Worship changed the atmosphere in my home—and in my heart.
It reminded me that Jesus died for me (Romans 5:8), not because I earned it, but because He loved me while I was still broken. That kind of love is what gives me the courage to trust.
I later wrote about it in this post:
👉 Jesus died for me—what that means for you and me.
That truth still brings me to tears sometimes.
Speak God’s Promises Out Loud (Even If You’re Crying)
Something powerful happens when we speak God’s truth, even if we don’t feel it yet. I’ve stood in my kitchen with tears rolling down my face, repeating promises like:
- “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5, NKJV)
- “The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart.” (Psalm 34:18, NKJV)
- “All things work together for good to those who love God.” (Romans 8:28, NKJV)
These weren’t just memory verses. They became lifelines.
I also started putting Scripture where I could see it—on my mirror, inside my Bible, and even on Christian wall art like this encouraging faith-based decor that reminded me daily of who God is.
Encourage Others Even When You’re Still Struggling
One of the most healing things I did in a hard season? I encouraged someone else. Not because I had it all together, but because I knew what pain felt like—and I didn’t want someone else to walk through it alone.
Sometimes I would send a text, share a Bible verse, or wear my “Just a Guy Who Loves Jesus” t-shirt to the store and let that be my quiet testimony.
God uses our broken seasons to bring hope to others. That’s why I believe in giving gifts that spark faith—like these thoughtful Christian gifts that share the gospel.
I Still Trust God—Even When It’s Hard
I’m not going to pretend it’s easy. Trusting God in hard times is one of the hardest things we’re ever called to do. But I can say this: every time I’ve leaned on Him instead of myself, He has never failed to carry me through.
If you’re struggling to trust Him right now, start with prayer. If you don’t know what to say, I wrote this article for moments like that:
👉 How to pray when you don’t know what to say
And remember—faith is not about having all the answers. It’s about trusting the One who does.
Trust God in hard times. Not because it’s easy, but because He is still worthy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Trusting God in Hard Times
What does it actually mean to trust God?
Trusting God isn’t about pretending life is fine or never feeling afraid. It means choosing to believe God is good and in control even when life doesn’t make sense. It’s putting your faith not in outcomes, but in His character—knowing He’s faithful, just, loving, and merciful.
If you feel like you’ve made too many mistakes to be close to Him again, remember this: God is not afraid of your mess.He invites you to come as you are. You can read more about that here:
👉 God is not afraid of your mess—come as you are
Is it wrong to doubt or question God during hard times?
No, it’s not wrong. The Bible is full of people who questioned God honestly—David, Job, even Jesus Himself in the garden before the crucifixion. The key is not to run away from God with your questions, but to bring your questions to Him in prayer.
That’s why I often remind others: you can pray even when you’re confused or hurting. If you’re unsure how, here’s a great place to begin:
👉 How to pray to God even if you don’t know what to say
What Bible stories or chapters should I read when I’m struggling?
Start with:
- Psalm 23 – For comfort and God’s presence
- Job 1–2, 38–42 – When suffering feels unfair
- Romans 8 – For assurance that nothing can separate you from God’s love
- John 14 – Jesus’ promises of peace and the Holy Spirit
You might also consider using a chronological Bible reading plan to help you stay rooted in Scripture daily. Even a 30-day plan can change everything when you’re consistent:
👉 30-day Bible reading plan that’ll actually change you
What if I feel like I’m too weak to keep going?
If that’s you, please hear this: God walks with the weak. He doesn’t require strength from you—He offers His strength to you. His grace truly is sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).
When I felt like I couldn’t take another step forward, I clung to this:
👉 When you’re weak, God still walks with you
Let it remind you—you don’t have to have it all together. You just need to hold onto Him.
What helps most when you’re feeling spiritually dry?
Honestly? Gratitude. When my heart feels distant from God, I start by thanking Him for one small thing. That’s why I love short, powerful moments of prayer like this one:
👉 End-of-day prayer to thank God—just one powerful minute
God shows up in the small moments. And when we thank Him—even while hurting—it reminds our soul who’s in charge.
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