How to have faith in God during hard times

The Hour of Darkness and Sovereign Permission

There are seasons in the Christian walk when the skies grow leaden, the winds howl with relentless fury, and the soul feels utterly marooned in a desolate wilderness. In these crucible moments, when the foundations of our earthly security crumble, the enemy of our souls whispers a toxic lie: that God has abandoned us, or worse, that our faith has been in vain. Yet, Holy Scripture reveals that the dark nights of the soul are not indicative of God’s absence, but are often the very spaces where His sovereign purposes are forged. To understand how to have faith in God during hard times, we must first look to the ultimate pattern of suffering set by our Lord Jesus Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane.

As the band of soldiers and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees closed in to arrest the Savior, Jesus did not react with panic or carnal desperation. He understood the cosmic timeline. He addressed His captors with words that pierce through the centuries: "When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness" (Luke 22:53, KJV). This "hour" was not an accident of history; it was a divinely permitted dispensation of darkness. The Greek word for "power" here is exousia, denoting authority or delegated influence. The darkness had no intrinsic power over the Son of God except that which was granted from above for the fulfillment of the eternal plan of redemption.

When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.— Luke 22:53, KJV

When you find yourself in your own "hour of darkness"—whether through sudden bereavement, financial ruin, chronic illness, or deep emotional betrayal—you must anchor your mind in this theological truth: the darkness is on a leash. It operates only within the boundaries of God’s sovereign permission. Your trial is not a sign that God has lost control of the universe, nor is it a sign that He has revoked His covenant of grace.

Rather, it is the very environment where your faith is transitioned from a fair-weather sentiment into an unshakeable, battle-tested reality. Salvation is not a legalistic religion of transactional prosperity; it is a living, born-again relationship with Jesus Christ, who walked through the absolute zenith of darkness so that you would never have to face your trials alone.

Healing and Submission in the Midst of Chaos

When the world around us erupts into chaos, our natural, carnal inclination is to fight back using the weapons of the flesh. We see this vividly illustrated in the Garden when Simon Peter, driven by fear and impulsive zeal, drew his sword and struck Malchus, the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. Peter attempted to solve a spiritual crisis with physical violence, a mistake many believers repeat today when they try to manipulate their circumstances, harbor bitterness, or wage verbal warfare against those who injure them. But the weapons of our warfare are not carnal (2 Corinthians 10:4).

Jesus immediately rebuked this fleshly display, saying, "Suffer ye thus far." In the midst of His own betrayal, facing an unjust trial and a brutal crucifixion, the Savior extended His hand not to strike, but to restore. "And he touched his ear, and healed him" (Luke 22:51, KJV). This profound miracle demonstrates that Christ’s kingdom operates on principles entirely foreign to this world. He did not seek self-preservation; He sought the fulfillment of the Father's will and displayed mercy to His enemies.

And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.— Luke 22:51, KJV

To have faith during hard times means submitting to God's methods rather than forcing our own. When we surrender our right to retaliation and self-defense, we clear the way for the healing touch of Christ to work in our lives and the lives of those around us. Faith is not merely believing that God *can* deliver us; it is trusting His character and His timing when He chooses *not* to deliver us immediately. It is the quiet confidence that He is working all things together for our good and His glory, even when the immediate landscape is littered with the debris of broken dreams.

Rising from the Ashes of Doubt and Failure

Hard times have a way of exposing our weaknesses and failures. Under the pressure of the crucible, we may find ourselves faltering, just as Peter did when he denied his Lord three times by the warmth of a hostile fire. The enemy uses these moments of weakness to condemn us, whispering that we are too broken, too faithless, or too compromised to ever be of use to God again.

" (John 7:41, KJV). They could not see the glory of God hidden in a humble package, just as the world cannot see the beauty of God's grace working through our cracked and clay vessels.

Others said, This is the Christ. But some said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee?— John 7:41, KJV

But our standing before God is not based on our flawless performance; it is anchored in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. If you have stumbled in the dark, if your faith has wavered, or if you have cried out in doubt, do not despair. The same Christ who restored Peter by the Sea of Galilee is ready to restore you today.

True faith is not the absence of failure, but the willingness to rise from the ashes of our shortcomings, look away from our own inadequacy, and look steadfastly unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. He does not discard His children when they stumble; He refines them, purges their dross, and strengthens them to stand as monuments of His redeeming grace.

Actionable Steps: How to Anchor Your Faith in the Furnace

Having faith during hard times is not a passive state of wishful thinking; it is an active, daily discipline of aligning your mind, heart, and actions with the immutable Word of God. Here are four practical, scriptural steps to anchor your soul when the storm rages:

• 1. Cast Your Cares Daily upon the Lord: Do not attempt to carry the crushing weight of your trials in your own strength. The Apostle Peter, who knew the pain of trial and restoration, wrote: "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you" (1 Peter 5:7, KJV). Roll your anxieties, fears, and questions onto the broad shoulders of the Savior.
• 2. Lean Not unto Thine Own Understanding: When life makes no sense, stop trying to figure out the "why" behind every tragedy. Solomon warned: "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6, KJV). Acknowledge His sovereignty even when His path leads through the valley of the shadow of death.
• 3. Saturate Your Mind with the Verbatim Word: Faith is not self-generated; it is fed by the Scriptures. "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17, KJV). Read, memorize, and declare the promises of the King James Bible. Let the absolute truth of God's Word drown out the deceptive whispers of the enemy.
• 4. Offer the Sacrifice of Praise: Praise is a powerful weapon in spiritual warfare. It is easy to praise God when blessings flow, but praising Him in the midst of pain is a sacrifice that honors Him deeply. "By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name" (Hebrews 13:15, KJV). Praise Him for Who He is, regardless of your current circumstances.

A Practical Prayer Guide for the Trial

If you are currently walking through a season of deep distress, use this scripturally-grounded prayer to cry out to the Lord. Let these words be the cry of your heart as you surrender your trial to His sovereign care:

"O Lord God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, I come before Thee in the precious name of Thy Son, Jesus Christ. Lord, the waters have come in unto my soul, and the hour of darkness seems heavy upon me. Yet, I know that Thou art sovereign, and nothing can pluck me out of Thy hand. Forgive me for where my faith has wavered, and where I have leaned unto my own understanding. I cast all my cares, my fears, and my brokenness at the foot of Thy cross, knowing that Thou carest for me. Touch my wounded spirit, Lord, and heal me as Thou didst heal in the midst of Thy own suffering. Give me the grace to stand firm, to trust Thy promises, and to praise Thee even in the furnace of affliction. I believe that Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God, and that my times are in Thy hands. Strengthen me this day, and let Thy peace, which passeth all understanding, keep my heart and mind through Christ Jesus. Amen."

The Morning Will Surely Come

Beloved, do not let the temporary power of darkness define the trajectory of your life. The trial you are facing is but a chapter in your story, not the final page. We serve a risen Savior who has already overcome the world, despoiled principalities and powers, and made a show of them openly. The night may be long, and the tears may flow, but the promise of God remains steadfast: "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalm 30:5, KJV).

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. Trust His nail-scarred hands to hold you, His infallible Word to guide you, and His perfect love to cast out all your fear. He is refining you as gold, and when He hath tried you, you shall come forth as gold (Job 23:10). Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and watch Him turn your mourning into dancing. Grace and peace be with you always.

— Grace — Faith Companion