Trusting God in Hard Times: A Path to Growth

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” jeremiah 29:11 NIV

Have you ever heard the common saying, “The good, the bad, and the ugly”? I saw it three times in five minutes the other day and it got me thinking.

What if, instead of “the good, the bad, and the ugly” we reframed it as “the good and the growth opportunity?” Hear me out. 

I’m not saying bad things don’t happen; they do. I’m not saying we ignore injustice; it should be addressed. I’m not saying we skip grieving, it’s necessary for healing. And I’m not saying trusting God in hard times is easy; it isn’t.

But I am saying, maybe we need a mind shift and a softened heart.

Even in the bad and ugly moments, God is still with us. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

When Trusting is Hard

I will be the first to tell you I question those words at times. 

While I was waiting in recovery after Jason’s surgery, the surgeon told me, “I’m sorry, surgery took longer than expected. Unfortunately, there was more damage than we initially thought.” In that moment, I wasn’t sure what God’s plan for Jason’s or our family’s future really was. It certainly didn’t feel prosperous.

That’s why the Lord’s words after verse 11 are so important. In verses 12 into 14 we’re also reminded, “Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.”

Did you notice how many verbs are in those verses? 

We’re called to take action: to call, come, pray, and seek Him with our whole heart. And in response, God listens, reveals Himself, and leads us out of captivity.

Before we label something as “bad” or “ugly,” we can pause and ask: What part of this situation is holding me captive?

Then we need to decide if we’re going to let it refine or ruin us.

Trusting God in Hard Times

In order to draw closer, truly trust God in hard times, and fully surrender our plans, we need to work through the things holding us captive until we see the good, see God.

And if we look back, and can’t find any good, then perhaps our whole heart is not truly seeking God, but rather some earthly, temporary fix, that allows our flesh to feel better in the moment.

Jason’s hand hasn’t regained full mobility or strength yet. I pray it does every day, but it’s not my plan, it’s God’s plan. 

My job in all this, is to keep calling, coming, praying, and seeking God with my whole heart. 

Once I decided Jason’s accident and all the what-if’s weren’t going to hold me captive, God started revealing himself in so many unexpected ways. My faith has been stretched thin, but my love for God has grown deeper.

God certainly had and has much good planned for us.

Praying God  touches your heart and walks with you through whatever in life has you bound in captivity. He hears and responds to even the faintest whisper with a strong love.

Father, help us to surrender, break down our walls, set aside appearances, give each and every thought up to you, and allow ourselves to be found by you. Help us to break the flesh patterns telling us Your good doesn’t exist. Thank you for being our Healer, Provider, and Strong Tower. Thank you for being Love itself and for breaking through the darkness to bring us Light. We praise you and love you Abba. Amen.