Trusting God when it feels like you’ve lost everything is not always easy. Life can be hard. Sometimes, bad things happen that make us feel like our world is shaking.
Think of your faith as a tower made of Jenga blocks. Each block is something you believe is true. One day, a block might get pulled out. Your tower might shake, but it’s still standing.
You try to put it back, maybe by reading your Bible more or learning more. But sometimes, more blocks fall, one by one. Soon, almost all the blocks are gone, and then, CRASH! Your tower falls down.
You might feel like your faith is gone. You didn’t want it to go; it just did. It’s like thinking the sky is blue your whole life, then waking up and seeing it’s pink. And no matter how hard you rub your eyes, that sky is as pink as can be, even though you try with all your might to believe it’s blue.
I’ve been there, and perhaps you are there now. You might journey through stages of being a doubting disciple, a frustrated ex-Christian, an exhausted agnostic, mirroring the stages of grief, before, by God’s grace, finding your way back to being an open-hearted Christ follower.
It’s a path of trial and error, of choosing faith, not out of being told to, but by deciding for yourself. And it’s okay to say that it’s awful; losing your faith is truly awful.
When we find ourselves in these moments, feeling left out, lost, and not knowing what to say to God, remember that Jesus felt this way too. On the hardest night of His life, Jesus cried out on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” (Matthew 27:46, CSB).
This wasn’t just Him saying words from a book; it was how He truly felt inside. He felt left alone, endangered, tired, and ignored. Just as a writer of an old Bible song, Psalm 22, honestly said he felt abandoned and ignored even by God, we too can bring our raw, honest feelings to God, knowing He welcomes them.
He knows what we need already; He just wants us to tell Him. The writer of Psalm 22 cried out: “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far from my deliverance and from my words of groaning? My God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, by night, yet I have no rest” (Psalm 22:1–2, CSB). Jesus used these very words from an old prayer, making them His own on the cross. He felt betrayed, left alone, and denied, completely by Himself.
So, when it feels like everything is lost, how do we begin to build again? How do we hold onto a God who sometimes seems quiet or not there?
The Unseen Hand: God’s Special Plan
One of the deepest ideas that makes me feel safe is the truth about God’s special plan for everything.
This is a big idea in the church: that God is always and purposely involved in all of creation and in everything that happens to people, watching over and keeping everything going just as He planned it from the very start.
He is not a faraway God who doesn’t care; He is a kind, loving God who cares about each of us.
Think about it: nothing just happens by chance, or good luck, or fate. Every event, every situation, and every person is a part of God’s big, detailed plan. This means that even when things are super hard, and we feel totally lost, God’s plan is still working.
The Bible tells us that God is in charge of everything. It says, “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all” (Psalm 103:19 ESV). And the Bible also tells us, “The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations” (Psalm 33:11 NKJV).
His plans will always happen, forever and ever.
This amazing truth means God cares about even the smallest things. Jesus Himself reminded us that God knows how many hairs are on our heads and is aware of every little bird that falls from the sky.
He said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31 ESV). From the big stars in the sky to the little choices we make, from happy times to sad times, from when we are born to when we die—God’s hand is always there. He makes sure His good plan happens.
You might ask, “What about my choices? What about when I make mistakes?” God’s special plan doesn’t stop us from choosing what we want to do. Instead, God uses our choices, weaving them into His design.
And it’s amazing, He can even use our bad choices or when we don’t listen to Him to make His good plans happen.
This happened with Joseph. His brothers did something mean to him, but God used it for good. Joseph himself said, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:20 ESV).
This doesn’t mean God makes us do bad things, but He is so big and powerful that He can make good come from even our darkest times. And when we hurt? It’s not a mistake in God’s plan.
He makes everything, even sad things, work out for good for the people who love Him. The Bible tells us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV). This is a strong and sure comfort when everything else seems to be breaking apart.
Steps How to Trust God Again After Losing Everything
Knowing that God has a special plan helps us feel safe. But we also need simple ways to deal with our worries and fears every day. Here are some things that have helped me, from the Bible and from other people who believe:
1. Think About What God Is Doing, Not What the Bad Guy Is Doing:
It’s easy to get lost in scary thoughts and sad stories, especially when we hear a lot of news. It’s okay to know what’s happening, but we don’t need to hear too much bad news.
When you start to feel scared, try to think about other things. Look for the “helpers,” like Mister Rogers’ mom said. Look for kindness, pity, and love—these are from God, because bad spirits cannot give them.
Instead of thinking about all the problems, try to find stories about hope and how God is working through people. God is the first and last helper, and He never leaves.
The Bible reminds us: “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23 ESV).
2. Pick Your Thoughts Carefully:
Feeling peaceful inside often starts in our minds. What we think about makes us strong in that thought.
The Bible tells us to think about things that are “true, excellent, pure, and lovely” (Philippians 4:8). It also says, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (Colossians 3:2 ESV).
If you worry a lot, this might be hard at first. But it’s a fight you give to God, not one you fight by yourself.
The Bible says, “You will not need to fight in this battle. Stand firm, hold your position, and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, and the Lord will be with you” (2 Chronicles 20:15 ESV).
When scary thoughts come, let Jesus handle them. We are not just weak people who can’t do anything; Jesus gives us the power to be like a guard at the gate of our mind.
The Bible says, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7 ESV). We can choose what thoughts we let in.
Try to grab every bad thought and give it to Jesus. “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5 NIV). After a while, your brain will start to think in a calmer, trusting way.
3. Grow a Thankful Heart:
Being sad, thinking bad thoughts, and being scared are ways bad spirits try to beat us. But saying “thank you” to God takes away their power.
The Bible tells us, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV).
Joy, like the author Kay Warren says, is a deep, sure feeling that God is in charge of everything in my life. It’s a quiet knowing that everything will be okay in the end, and choosing to thank God no matter what.
It’s not just feeling happy; it’s a strong, steady trust. Even when things hurt a lot, we can choose to think about the good things we still have. Paul in the Bible learned how to be happy no matter what was happening.
He wrote, “I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:11-13 ESV).
Try writing down things you are thankful for, like Ann Voskamp says, and look at your list when you need to remember God’s goodness.
4. Ask God to Make Your Faith Bigger:
God is not scared if you have questions or doubts. He likes it when we are truly real with Him.
When we struggle and ask questions, it actually makes our friendship with Him stronger. He wants us to ask Him for understanding and smart ideas, because He has many wise thoughts for those who love Him.
The Bible says, “yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:3-6 ESV).
And also, “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil” (Proverbs 3:7 ESV). Turn your worries into prayers. Let that worried energy help you get closer to God.
Remember, we win not by being strong ourselves, but by letting Him be strong for us.
The Bible reminds us, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV).
Even a small bit of faith is a gift, and it will get bigger as we use it. A good prayer to say is, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 ESV).
5. Pray the Bible Songs When You Don’t Have Words:
When you hurt so much you can’t find words to pray, read the Psalms in the Bible. Jesus did this when He was hurting the most.
The Psalms give us many words to say how we feel, even feelings we might think good Christians shouldn’t have. Asheritah Ciuciu, who wrote
Prayers of REST, has a good way to pray the Psalms:
◦ Remember God is Good: Think about how good God is and that He always keeps His promises.
◦ Express Your Needs: Tell God honestly what you need, based on how good He is.
◦ Stay Quiet: Take time to be still and feel God’s love around you.
◦ Trust He Will Keep His Word: Say that you trust God will do what He promised and work in your life.
Think about Psalm 36:7: “How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 36:7 NIV).
You can use this to start praying. Remember that His love is better than anything, that He never leaves, and that you can find a safe place in Him even when others leave you.
6. Turn on Your Spiritual Windshield Wipers:
Think about this: worry is like mud splashing on your car’s window during a race. It makes it hard to see.
But this doesn’t mean you’re going the wrong way! It means someone bad is trying to stop you because you are going the right way.
So, what do you do? Turn on your spiritual windshield wipers and use your washer fluid!
◦ The windshield wipers are God’s promises in the Bible. Look everywhere in the Bible for them! When I feel scared, the Bible helps me: “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10 ESV).
When I feel weak, the Bible reminds me: “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV). When I have to make hard choices, the Bible tells me: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you” (Psalm 32:8 ESV).
And when I worry about my family, the Bible makes me feel better: “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11 ESV).
There are so many more like these; the Bible is full of God’s promises!
Why Bad Things Happen in a Broken World
It’s good to remember that God didn’t promise us a life with no problems here on Earth. We live in a world that is not perfect, a world that got messed up when people first chose to do bad things.
This story is told in Genesis 3. So, when bad things happen and we have hard times, it doesn’t mean God is not strong, or that He doesn’t love us. It also doesn’t always mean we did something wrong.
It just means we are living in a world that is broken. The Bible says we should be strong and go through hard times like good soldiers for Jesus.
Paul wrote, “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3 ESV).
The good news is that God doesn’t want to leave us in this broken world. He has a plan to make the world new and to heal our pain.
He sent Jesus to help us become friends with Him again. While we are still here on Earth, our bodies might feel sad or tired as we wait for everything to be made new.
The Bible tells us, “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies” (Romans 8:23 ESV).
But one day, there will be no more sickness, no more pain, and no more dying. God will wipe away every tear.
The Bible promises, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4 ESV).
Until that day, God uses everything, even our hurts, to make us better people and more like Jesus. Even when bad spirits try to stop us, God is still in charge, and it will all make Him look good in the end.
God Is Not Done With You Yet
No matter where you are right now, please know this deep in your heart: God is not finished with you yet. All those questions and doubts, that feeling like you’ve lost everything—I believe God gives them to you.
They are meant to take you on a journey. It might hurt, but in the end, it will help you grow and be great.
God is always good, and He is always in charge of everything, even when things are hardest for us. Nothing ever surprises Him. Nothing happens unless He lets it first.
Even if it feels like He is quiet sometimes, He has not forgotten us.
The Bible says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV).
His light always makes the darkness go away. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5 ESV).
Let this Bible song, Psalm 121, give you comfort and make you strong, just like it does for me: “I lift my eyes up to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth. He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore” (Psalm 121 ESV).
He is your Keeper. He is always there for you. Believe that truth.