“My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (Matthew 26:39, NLT)

Have you ever wished for God to respond to a crisis in your life differently than He did? I believe that the majority of us would answer with a resounding “yes.” Moments like that might cause us to feel as if God’s love for us is diminishing.

When Jesus talked with God at the Garden of Gethsemane, He asked if there was another way and then submitted to the Father’s will if there was not. God allowed His Son to experience excruciating pain but not without purpose. He will not let you and me experience hurt without purpose. Sometimes when the purpose is unclear, we may ask Him for another way. Trusting Him when He says there is no alternative requires deep-rooted faith. Remember, there is nowhere you can go, no pain you will endure, and no crisis you will experience when He is not with you. Not only is He with you, but He has also gone ahead of you to prepare the path to your healing and for His glory to shine through you.

The reality is that we do not need to question God’s love for us (John 3:16). However, when hard things happen, sometimes we do.

  • Your spouse leaves you.
  • Your loved one passes away.
  • You receive a diagnosis that changes your way of life.
  • Your friends or family turn on you because of your faith.
  • Your one furry companion dies, and now you feel alone.
  • The relationship you have entrusted to God has unraveled.
  • People you look up to have moral failures.
  • Hurricanes, earthquakes, war, and famine happen around the world.

All of these may cause you to question where God is and why you must suffer.

We think God should respond the way we would. We must remember that God is God, and we are not. He perceives things of which we are unaware. He is working even when we cannot see evidence of His work. He knows that we will struggle occasionally, so He designed a path that refocuses and realigns our faith, allowing us to stand firm once again. Whenever you experience doubt but choose to trust God, you’ll discover that the recovery time shortens. It’s like pressing down on a memory foam pillow, which promptly regains its original shape once you release the pressure. Take the opportunity to remember how far you have come on your journey and how faithful God has been to guide you. You may feel defeated and guilty for doubting, but His word says there is no condemnation for those who love Him.

Friend, allow space for God to grow your love for Him. As you do, your foundation will strengthen, enabling you to withstand the pressures of life. Be encouraged by knowing that your faith journey is not in vain.

Excerpted pages 118-119 from “Trust Issues” by Jodi L. Aiken This material is protected by copyright.

Ask Yourself:

What truth from God’s Word, character, or His past faithfulness in my life can I reflect on to refocus and realign my faith to help me stand firm once again?

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