When Things Feel Wrong: Have Faith in God’s Plan
If you feel like you’re struggling, you’re feeling stressed, scared, exhausted, and discouraged, keep in mind to trust that things are going to be better.
It’s easy to feel like the world is falling apart and nothing will get better, and when we find ourselves wondering, “When will things ever return to normal?” the uncertainty must feel overwhelming.
When we face difficult times, we often feel anxious and unsure of what to do next. There is one thing for sure: when nothing seems to be going right, we need to return to God.
In Isaiah 41:10, the Bible reminds us, “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
We must remember, as tough as things seem, that history shows us how much humanity endured. We’ve faced fallen governments, wars, and natural disasters, and even in the darkest times, God has been faithful. Even if the devil is working hard to spread chaos, God’s plan will always prevail.
In John 16:33, Jesus told us, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!” When you hold on to that truth, you choose love: love for God, for yourself, and for others. You are following the path that will lead you out of this darkness.
So, when you face hardships, remember that Jesus has already overcome the world. Find peace in His promises in the midst of struggle. Remember, He’s got a plan, and the storm will pass in His perfect timing. Hold on to hope that God is in control; hope that our Savior knows how this story ends, and despite the trials, God will bring light back into our lives.
It’s important to look ahead, not behind, in moments like this. God wants us to learn and grow, and we can only do this through struggles. And another thing struggles teach us is how desperately we need God.
Take a moment today to pray. Don’t ask for anything, but let God know that you trust Him. Tell Him you love Him and you will strive to love others the way He loves us.
The answer is clear—when nothing seems to be going right, trust in God. I promise He’s got this, and everything will be okay.
Now, you can follow these steps to take back your power and be at peace.
1. Acknowledge your feelings
First things first, if you want to overcome a struggle, you need to acknowledge how you feel. So, do you feel upset, scared, or discouraged? This is a natural response to adversity. Ignoring and suppressing these emotions can only make things worse in the long run.
When you take a moment to recognize you’re facing a tough time, you’re actually taking the first step to feeling better. Give yourself permission to feel and process your emotions; give yourself permission to begin healing. While doing this, keep in mind that acknowledging your emotions doesn’t mean staying stuck in them.
2. Turn to faith and prayer
What we have left during difficult times is faith, and it’s the most powerful tool in the world. Losing sight is easy when everything is out of control, but faith is there to help you when you need it the most.
Trust that God is with you, and even when the world feels overwhelming, remember Jesus told us that we would face trouble but also reassured us that He had overcome the world.
So, take a moment to pray even if you don’t ask for anything specific. Simply express your faith and trust. Let God know you’re leaning on Him; you know He has a plan for you, and you believe in His power to bring light back into your life. Prayers are powerful tools for calming your heart and refocusing your mind on what truly matters.
3. Focus on What You Can Control
It’s easy to feel paralyzed when everything falls out of control. To regain a sense of stability, focus on the things you can control. You should start small, with little things such as organizing your workspace, making a healthy meal, or getting a good night’s sleep. Whatever it is, when you take control of one small area of your life, you will get a sense of accomplishment, as well as a renewed sense of direction.
Focusing on your power helps you break down your larger problems into smaller, manageable tasks. Instead of trying to fix everything at once, make sure you tackle one thing at a time. With each small step, you will regain confidence and a sense of purpose.
4. Practice gratitude
If nothing seems to be going right, you may fall into a mindset of negativity. Shifting your focus to gratitude can be a game-changer. So, take a moment each day to reflect on what you’re thankful for, no matter how small the blessings may seem.
Gratitude doesn’t change your mood; it changes your perspective. When you notice the good things in your life, even with the chaos around, you start to see the bigger picture. This shift in perspective will help you feel more focused, hopeful, and at peace. This is where you get the empowerment to move forward.
5. Lean on others
It’s important to rely on your faith and personal strength, and it’s also important to lean on others when times are tough. Make sure you share your struggles with your trusted friends, family members, or faith community. Difficult times are not to go through alone.
You will gain some comfort by talking about your challenges (and even practical solutions). Sometimes, other perspectives can help you see a different perspective and help you see things you may have missed. You don’t have to carry the weight of the world by yourself.
6. Trust the process
Remember that everything in life is a process, so just because things aren’t going right in this moment, it doesn’t mean they don’t get better. Trust in the bigger plan and remember that sometimes the struggles we face help us grow, build resilience, and prepare us for what’s ahead. Even when things seem impossible, trust that God has a purpose for everything. Remember your current struggles are part of a larger story, and take a relief breath while keeping this in mind.
In moments of adversity, you might feel like there’s no way out. But take heart—nothing is permanent, and everything is part of the process. Keep trusting in God’s plan and look forward to the brighter days ahead.
When your faith feels fragile
The last note: feeling discouraged doesn’t mean you don’t have faith. It means you’re human. Even the strongest believers have moments of doubt, and Jesus Himself cried out on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). If the Son of God felt the weight of despair, we shouldn’t be surprised when we do, too.
The key difference is that Jesus didn’t stay in that moment. He pressed forward, surrendered, and trusted. And He rose.
Our faith is not measured by how perfectly we deal with pressure. It’s measured by what we do next. Do we search for God even when we feel far away? Do we pray even when we don’t feel worthy or strong?
