Nothing will be impossible for you. It doesn’t often feel like that, does it? It seems that often, we pray for things and don’t get them. No matter how good our cause is, sometimes it seems God isn’t budging. And wow, it can be frustrating. Easy to walk away from, even. If He’s not going to help us, then I guess we’ll do it alone.
Other times, we do get what we want, and we become so full of the goodness of these pleasures that we start to think that maybe it is because of us. After all, we are the ones who put in all the work, right? We didn’t need God or heaven after all; we just needed to find ourselves.Even worse, we try, and it seems to fail. Where is God when we need Him?Bad things aren’t the rejection of God. Instead, they are the unfortunate consequence of a sinful world, as chosen by us (Genesis 3:1-19). Although we may not always feel it, God promises that He will never leave us and will comfort us as we come to Him (Hebrews 13:5; 2 Corinthians 1:3). If you are interested in reading more on this, see our blog Disillusioned with Love.
God is Faithful
Even When We Aren't
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
It’s not usually intentional. Why do we often not accept help? We forget to ask, we want to prove ourselves, or we don’t believe others will follow through.
The Israelite people felt this to their core. Escaping slavery in Egypt, the Bible uses the whole of Exodus, Leviticus, and much of Numbers to tell us the story. And what a story it is! Saved from slavery through a series of ten miraculous plagues and the parting of the Red Sea, the Israelites quickly fall into a lack of faith, questioning if God has brought them to die. This occurred only two months after the miracles (Exodus 16:1-3). They were quick to forget—but God was and is always faithful to His promises. Over and over again, the Israelites forgot this faith, even rejecting going into God’s promised land due to fear of those who lived there, as if He hadn’t just saved them from one of the most feared nations on earth.
We often criticize the Israelites during this journey, but how often are we the same? We see God working all the time, but instead of giving recognition back to God, we fall again on pride or faithlessness. So often have I had the audacity to believe that something good has been my own doing or that my mistakes are out of God’s hands—‘no, God, only I can fix this.’ I, in my human flesh. The creator of the universe offers to help us out, and we reject him.
Yet, how much smoother would things have gone if we had accepted His help? Through mental or spiritual assurance, peace, or physical signs, we see clearly the difference between when the Israelites accepted God and when they chose to live alone. Times haven’t changed, as we experience more physical and mental distress than ever in an increasingly secular world. Due to God’s allowance for free will, He can’t always protect us when we choose to be without Him.
However.
God has not abandoned you, no matter how far you feel you are from Him. While God allows us to walk away, the Bible tells us that He patiently waits for us to return to Him so that He may give us the blessings He wishes.So the LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion. For the LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help.
Isaiah 30:18, NLT
No matter how much we forget God, He never forgets us. ‘If we are faithless, He remains faithful…’ (2 Timothy 2:13, NIV). Throughout the Israelites' journey, God never abandoned them, as Paul examines in Romans 11:1. Similarly, we are also beloved. While we may let go of God, He never lets go of us (Isaiah 41:10). All He is waiting for is for us to return in faith and patience so that He may begin to bless us with support and peace (Lamentations 3:25; Micah 7:7).
So, as we attempt to return to God, how do we restore our faith? There aren’t necessarily any ‘quick fixes,’ and honestly, I’d feel wrong insinuating that whatever you’re going through can be fixed by one simple cure. However, there are some ways that we can get the support we need when we feel low on faith.
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Honest Prayer.
Honest prayer is the simplest answer of all and sometimes the most difficult. How can we speak honestly with Someone so mighty—or Who we feel may have betrayed us? God values our honesty and invites us to trust in Him. (1 John 1:9; Proverbs 3:5-6) While we may not see Him working or understand how He has answered our prayer immediately and be tempted to rely only on ourselves, we can remember that He has promised that we will get our answer—all we have to do is believe it (Mark 11:24).Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7, NIV
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Remember the Blessings.
In the next section of Philippians, 4:8-9, we are also encouraged to remember God’s goodness. Can you remember any times or moments that have been joyful or a blessing to you? The Bible invites us to dwell on these times (Psalms 27:11-14) so that we can be inspired to continue on in hope rather than fear or stress.“Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”
Matthew 6:26, NKJV
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Examine God’s Word.
Rather than run from our fears or confusion, God encourages us to study His word, the Bible, to gain a deeper understanding (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Often, it’s helpful in these times to look at studies specifically focused on what we’re going through so that we can get the targeted responses we’re searching for. Hope.Study offers a variety of free courses on subjects you may be struggling with. If you’d like help finding a relevant Bible study, you can contact us via WhatsApp at https://wa.me/+12407082819. We’ll try to connect you with someone who can help you!Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.
Romans 10:17, NIV
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Build those Bridges: Connect with Others.
This is important. Even in the beginning, God created people to be with each other, saying, ‘...it is not good for man to be alone...’ (Genesis 2:18, NASB). In the New Testament, we are often encouraged to be with others (Philippians 2:1-2; Matthew 18:20). We know how good it feels to spend time with others, asking questions or sharing our hard times. I encourage you to spend time with or speak to a trusted family member, friend, mentor, or leader in your faith community. That’s what they’re there for. If you don’t have any connections who can help you, or you’d just like to connect with us, contact us via Whatsapp at the button below and we’ll try to connect you with a pastor or leader in your area.
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A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time.
Proverbs 17:17, CSB
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Don’t Just Think, Do.
Upon learning, we are encouraged to act on the promises in the Bible, stepping into a faith-based lifestyle and maintaining a character like Christ’s (Philippians 2:5). It’s not what you read—it’s how you apply it. So, go, make use of your understanding. Be kind. Be thankful, be passionate. Be loving. As stated by James 1:22-25—‘be doers of the word’ (NKJV). Remember, we don’t have to do this alone—we have help (John 14:26; John 15:4)....let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:18, ESV
Remember God’s faithfulness. Wherever you’re at, whatever you’re doing, whatever you feel like you’re not seeing, He’s still there, working away and waiting for you to return to Him. Don’t worry; He’s patient.
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases, his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23, RSV
About the Author
Azaria is a passionate young writer devoted to exploring and sharing the truth of God’s Word. With a heart for faith and a love for storytelling, she seeks to inspire and engage readers on their spiritual journeys.
Azaria Jones
NSW, Australia
