Faith in Difficult Times

Mar. 27, 2023 | By Creflo Dollar

As believers, we know how important faith is. We’ve been taught the basics of trusting in God when trouble shows up. However, having head knowledge of this is different than completely relying on Him when adversity lasts longer than we anticipated. This is the time when our mindset toward what we’re going through is tested.

Some bad situations seem to go on and on. The longer we’re in it, the harder it becomes to endure. Our faith can waiver and get shaky after a while because we can eventually become mentally and emotionally exhausted from standing in it. When we don’t know how much longer we can go on, having faith in Jesus’ faith instead of our own faith gives us the courage we need. “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe…” (Romans 3:22).

The enemy uses anything he can to move us away from trusting in God. The devil suggests that maybe God won’t deliver us like He delivered others, and tries to introduce uncertainty and questioning into our minds. Despite his tactics, he’s a beaten foe; he can’t stand up to a believer who knows their God and is willing to stand in faith. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4). Using God’s strength instead of our own gives us the ability to outlast the situation.

The key to overcoming tribulation is our response to it. When we know without any doubt that God will keep His hand on us and deliver us in due time, it’s easier to maintain right-thinking about it. Constantly, consistently remaining the same in the midst of the situation reminds the devil that he’s not strong enough to move us out of trusting God. “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope” (Romans 5:3, 4). Looking back and remembering all the times in the past God has already delivered us gives us hope and encouragement that He’ll do it again.

God’s promise of deliverance is solid and irrevocable. It’s something we can confidently stand on and know that He will bring us through it. God never gives us a test that we can’t pass.   Although trouble will show up, it won’t overcome us. “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:8, 9).

While we’re waiting for the situation to change, we do whatever is necessary to keep our forward momentum going. These are our works of faith. “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?... Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works” (James 2:14, 17, 18). The difference between empty works and works of faith is the prompting of the Holy Spirit. God will never leave us alone in our situation; the Helper is always present and waiting to give us practical direction and guidance when we ask Him.

Trusting God allows Him to deliver us. This is how we mature as Christians. Letting Him purify our faith burns out all the dross of self-reliance.

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