It’s easy to have faith and trust in God while everything in our life is going well, but it is crucial to maintain that faith when times get hard. This plan reminds us that God is with us even on our darkest days, and that there is always hope!
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Day 1
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-18
Fix your eyes on the unseen
Faith is an indispensable force for good in the heart and mind of the believer. Hebrews 11 says it is the evidence of our hope in the promises of God. Romans 10 says that it comes from the Word of God. The apostle Paul outlines his keys to real faith tested under real pressure. Firstly, he says, as bad as it gets it doesn’t break us. Secondly, because we believe, we vocalise our faith not our fears. Thirdly, we may lose a lot, but we don’t lose heart. And, finally, we don’t lose hope because we’re reminded of what is truly important in the context of eternal life.
At the age of 24, I was made redundant from work four days after moving into our first home, the gearbox failed in our very old and only car, the solicitor wanted more money for stamp duty, and our second child was due in six weeks. We survived these ordeals because, like Paul, we were learning to trust God’s Word and were surrounded by people of faith.
Faith for hard times is not a formula or a favourite Bible verse or wishful thinking. It’s a learned journey of knowing and trusting God and His Word, and of encouraging and being encouraged by other believers. Faith for hard times benefits from keeping our eyes continually on Jesus Christ and spending our time giving Him thanks.
Day 2
Scripture: Isaiah 41:10
The power of faith
We all face storms and trials in life. Jesus warns of this in John 16:33 when He tells the disciples that in this world they will have trouble but to take heart because He has overcome the world. Both those promises, the promise of trouble in the world and the promise that He has overcome it, are for us. Jesus encourages us to have faith in Him and trust in Him because He has overcome death and nothing is impossible for Him to make right.
While it’s comforting to know that Jesus has overcome the world and can do anything, what does that look like for us when we’re facing a terrifying medical diagnosis, or a vicious legal or financial battle, or a season of heartbreak after heartbreak? How does faith help us? And how do we hold onto it when we’re standing in the ruins of our life? Having faith in Jesus is not a belief that there won’t be pain, heartbreak or suffering. No, it’s being certain that in the presence of pain, suffering or heartbreak, Jesus can fix it. Faith isn’t asking if God will move, but asking when. It’s the assurance that we’re not alone, because, as He promises in Isaiah 41:10, He is with us. Even now, He is with us, interceding for us, pouring out His peace and love, and fighting battles we cannot see.
Faith in Jesus and His power is our anchor in hard times. It’s what gives us hope for the future. It’s what sustains our soul and helps us keep going. Whatever season you may be facing, I pray that you would cling to Jesus, knowing that He loves you and you are not in this season alone.
Day 3
Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17-19
Firm footholds
When troubles come our way, we can go to unhelpful extremes. We can throw our hands up in despair and declare the game is up. We lose hope; we sink into despair. Then again, those of a brighter temperament may put on a happy face, whistle a happy tune, and live as though the troubles don’t exist.
Neither despair nor denial do us much good. Better by far to follow the advice of this weirdly named prophet who faced deep trouble. Habakkuk squarely faced adversity. Nothing was going right. But he says one very significant word that changes his outlook. That one word is ‘yet’. It says that while the present reality is precarious, there is a greater reality: the presence of a good and loving God.
He can rejoice in that. To rejoice is to express glad confidence in God: it is not the same as happiness, which is a mood based on favourable circumstances. We can rejoice in good or bad circumstances because joy is grounded in God, not those circumstances.
The result is that we can be like sure-footed mountain goats. Things seem unpromising, yet I will stand firm. Yet I will rejoice. Yet I will through tears and laughter and through sadness and gladness hold onto the one who has hold of me.
Day 4
Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17-18
Yet will I rejoice in the Lord
It would be nice if life was always easy. Unfortunately, that’s not how it goes. Things don’t go to plan. We win, we lose and everything in between.
In my life, I’ve known hardship through infertility, financial issues, relationship issues, mental health challenges, loss of friends and family and the list goes on. Hard times are part of the tapestry of our life. We’ve all known the kind of hard where it sits heavy on your chest before you even get out of bed. And in that valley, God doesn’t always hand a quick fix or an escape plan. He offers Himself.
In church recently, we sang this old song from when I was growing up: ‘Though the fig tree does not blossom and there be no fruit on the vine, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food. Though the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stall. Yet, will I rejoice in the Lord…’ Faith in hard times isn’t always loud. It’s not standing tall and quoting verses like you’re winning. Sometimes, it’s whispering ‘I still believe’ with tears on your face and dirt on your knees. It’s choosing to trust when trust feels fragile.
Our faith isn’t proven on the mountaintop. It’s refined in the fire. And God? He’s not absent in the dark. He is Emmanuel – God with us – even when everything else falls away.
If you’re walking through your own valley today, don’t be ashamed of your wrestle. Just keep showing up. Keep holding on. You’re not alone. He is faithful in the fire.
Day 5
Scripture: Psalms 3:3-5
He is listening
How wonderful are seasons when joy overflows – when gratitude comes easy and laughter fills your heart like sunlight for the soul. There are, however, seasons in life far less bright – seasons when your soul feels parched, when the burdens you carry feel too heavy, when every breath is a battle. In these moments, pain pierces, strength fades, and hope cannot be seen.
Friend hear this: your Father has not forgotten you. The Lord of Hosts, your creator and sustainer, is near – even in this. He is not far off, cold or silent. Your cry does not go unheard. He hears every word, every groan, and He sees every precious tear. Be encouraged! God is your shield – not just from what comes against you, but from despair itself. He surrounds you with His presence when the darkness presses in. He cradles your broken spirit, reminding you: you are not alone.
When you feel like you cannot go another step, cry out and fall into Him. He will carry you. His strength is made perfect in your weakness. In the dark night, He watches over you; and in the morning, He gives you strength again – not by your own might, but by His sustaining grace.
Cry out to Him because He is listening. He will meet you right where you are, not with judgement, but with comfort. With peace that surpasses your circumstance. With a love that lifts your chin and reminds you who you are – His.