When life is good, it’s easy to trust that God is in control. But when it seems like everything around you is falling apart, trust becomes more challenging. Jesus tells us to come to Him when we are weary (Matthew 11:28-30), but what about when we feel completely broken? Paul says not to be anxious about anything (Philippians 4:6-7), but what about when we’re facing a crisis? Or several of them?
The Bible doesn’t ask us to pretend like everything is OK when it’s not. It’s OK to have doubts. As believers in Christ, we have tools to help us maintain (and even increase) our faith through the trials and tribulations we face.
Here are five tips for trusting Jesus when your world is falling apart.
1. Pray honestly
God already knows how you really feel, and what you really think (Hebrews 4:12-13). He knows your circumstances and how they’re affecting you (Psalm 139:2). So be honest with Him! Being honest with God through prayer is an exercise in trust. You’re trusting Him with your most raw and vulnerable thoughts and feelings. By being open and real in your prayer life, you release the frustrations that can turn to bitterness when they’re suppressed. Be transparent, and ask God for the help and healing you truly need.
2. Find people who love Him
During times of crisis, the people you turn to and surround yourself with have an immense influence on how you handle that crisis. The words of comfort they offer and the advice they give based on their own experiences and wisdom can directly impact the actions you take and the beliefs that take hold during this time.
So if you want to continue placing your trust in Jesus, you need to have someone (or a group of people) you can turn to who loves and trusts Him, too. These people can pray for you, and comfort you with insights drawn from their own struggles in the midst of suffering. And most importantly, they can continue pointing you to the One who is faithful.
3. Be vulnerable
If no one knows what you’re going through, they can’t help you. Being vulnerable is hard, and it requires humility, but it’s important for Christians to share life together so that we can lift each other up. In fact, Paul says that bearing each other’s burdens is how we “fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2), which is to love one another (John 13:34-35).
Often, the reason it’s so hard to be vulnerable is that we don’t know how someone else will react, and we anticipate that the act of sharing will be more hurtful than helpful. But being vulnerable with fellow believers is supposed to be different. The church is commanded to love us and bear our burdens, and the act of sharing is a crucial step toward our healing.
4. Turn to Scripture
In our suffering, we long to hear God’s voice. But whatever you are going through, God does have something to say to you in His Word. In our darkest moments, the Bible can be a powerful source of comfort, peace, wisdom, and encouragement, both because of the words they speak to us and Who they come from.
If you’re not sure which verses to turn to, here are a few passages believers often lean on and memorize:
The testing of your faith produces perseverance
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4).
The peace of God will guard your heart and mind
“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).
Jesus will give you rest
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).
5. Remember the times He has been faithful
As you endure various trials throughout your life, you’ll accumulate moments where you can confidently say Jesus was there for you and demonstrated His faithfulness. When you’re in the throes of suffering and despair, reflecting on these past experiences can encourage you to keep trusting Him now.
Do not lose heart
The early church faced immense persecution, and many of the church’s strongest leaders gave their lives for their relentless effort to share the gospel. The Apostle Paul offered these words of encouragement to his fellow believers, and they still ring true for us today:
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Please join us in prayer as we share the hope of Jesus with the world. Visit Jesus Film Project’s prayer page for more information on how your prayers can help change lives!
