How Can We Trust God When Bad Things Happen?

A story (and a prayer) about having childlike faith in a chaotic world.

Do you feel the heaviness? Our world groans from political division, wars, and disasters; we slog through financial stress, health scares, and family crises; and our children face temptations we could have never imagined.

We need hope.

In the Old Testament, hope is often translated from the Hebrew word yachal meaning “trust.” In the New Testament, the word hope is used for elpis, meaning “to expect or anticipate with pleasure.”

Therefore, hope in the biblical sense equals trust and faith, an expectation of good things.

When my son Jackson was young, he often prayed like this: “God, I hope the dog gets well. I hope Nana comes to visit.”

When he started praying that way, I wondered whether I should correct him. But when I discovered the biblical meanings of the word “hope,” I realized Jackson had actually been praying with wisdom.

He trusted God and expected good things when he prayed.

We can learn much from a child’s innocent, total faith.

I’ll admit that my first reaction to bad news or difficult seasons is often fear and worry. However, when I step back, preach the truth of scripture to myself, and choose to surrender my circumstances to God, He quiets my heart and gives me His supernatural peace. Sometimes, He changes my circumstances, but He always changes ME.

Since April, I’ve been journaling through the Psalms. I didn’t know how much I would need the spiritual exercise when I started—but God did! Over the past few months, I’ve had major surgery (which thankfully went very well), resigned from a full-time job, helped my aging mother with different needs, and walked with my husband through intense, stressful situations in our church and extended families.

Thankfully, the Psalms have allowed me to process through all of it—using the languages of lament, complaint, anger, confusion, gratitude, and praise.

Our loving Heavenly Father is so very faithful. I’m thankful for His sustaining, patient presence during these chaotic times. I’m also glad He welcomes honest prayers.

Today, let’s not allow headlines or heartache to rule our emotions and steal our peace. Instead, let’s determine to trust.

Prayer: Father, You are our hope and peace. Comfort those suffering from disasters, pain, illness, and stress of all kinds with Your compassionate presence. Forgive us for a lack of faith and for running to other things to fill our hearts. Help us not neglect You or Your word when we’re afraid or confused, but instead, run into Your capable arms of mercy. As we do, assure us that Your promises hold us fast and You are still in control. We thank You in advance for how you will work things out. Amen.

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• Today’s devotional is adapted from my book The 5-Minute Bible Study for Moms. This little volume is a helpful introduction to Bible study. Each day’s entry includes questions for reflection, prayer prompts, and suggested scripture readings.

• Speaking of little volumes, Barbour Books has re-released my Christmas devotional with a new cover. I loved writing 25 Christmas Blessings—especially its lists of fun, simple service ideas for families and individuals.

• An upcoming online event I highly recommend is the Church Mental Health Summit. It’s a FREE one-day summit on October 10 (World Mental Health Day) for church leaders and volunteers concerned about our current mental health crisis. The virtual event offers 50 expert speakers in 5 different tracks, and the education you’ll receive is top-notch. Plus, you’ll be able to access dozens of free resources, participate in live workshops, and join community conversations. If you want to watch all the sessions after October 10—plus have access to every talk from past summits—consider the affordable All-Access Pass.

• I recently shared four biblical comforts for cultivating hope in chronic illness on my friend Lisa Appelo’s Hope in Grief blog. I pray it encourages you or someone you know.

• Have a friend or family member who needs today’s message? Feel free to forward it to them.

• Finally—if you enjoyed this post, would you click on the heart at the top or bottom of this email? It helps others discover Lavish Grace (for the Wounded and Weary). Thanks!

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Have a pressing prayer need? Please reply to this email and let me know. I’d love to lift your request to the Father.

Until next time, may God bless you with His supernatural gifts of hope, peace, and joy.