Faith in the Midst of Suffering

In the Christian life there are many ups and downs, and it’s essential to maintain our faith through it all. Absolutely all of it. Throughout the hard times and rough seasons we go through, we have to keep our faith in the one who deserves it, God. It’s easy to have a lot of faith when everything is going our way and when it feels like we are killing it for the kingdom. It’s a whole different story when things start to take a turn downward. How can you say that you have strong faith if it is not tested?

Look at the life of Job. He lost everything-his kids, his land, and his body was in constant agony. Even still, he never lost his faith through all this suffering. After everything was taken from him, he said “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” (Job 1:21). Job worshipped God in the midst of it all. When is the last time that you have thanked God for allowing you to suffer? Job didn’t curse God or get mad at him for what happened; he simply surrendered to his Lordship and worshipped him. Job had strong enough faith to know that no matter what happens, it is for my good and God’s glory.

We see the same faith in Matthew 14:22-33, where Jesus walked on water to the disciples’ boat. It was storming outside, and the disciples were terrified. Peter saw Jesus walking on water and said to him, “Lord if it is you command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said come. The amount of faith that it would take to take a step out of the boat is something to think about. Peter knew who Jesus was, and he had confidence in him. Peter had strong faith.

Recently in my own life, God has shown me what strong faith is and how it drastically changes how you are in tough seasons. A family member of mine was dead on arrival at the hospital. They were able to get his heart to start beating again, but he was without oxygen to his brain for around 2 hours, which is very bad. He was considered brain-dead and the doctors basically told us that he was only here for us to say our goodbyes. Through all this, I was frequently asked why I seemed so okay. My response was always, “Because I know that whatever happens, good or bad, is always for our good and God’s glory.” Having faith that whatever God’s plan is; trusting that it’s greater than my plan or what I think should happen.

Fast forward, to the night before we were going to let him go, he woke up! He is able to talk, walk, look around, and he’s making a really good recovery. God wasn't finished with him. We have such a big God and I feel that often we try to limit God with a worldly mentality when God is not of this world. God performed a true miracle right in front of all of our eyes, including all the nurses and doctors at that hospital.

Having faith in Christ is having confidence in him.

Having faith in Christ is knowing without any doubt that he is with you and for you.

In the seasons where things aren’t going well, it can be so hard; but your faith will produce a joy and a peace within you that can only be obtained through Christ Jesus.