I will always remember when I was little, how I would go to my dad and complain about something my siblings had done. My complaint would usually start out with, “That’s not fair!” My dad’s response? He would start by saying, “Kim, life’s not fair, but God is good!”
He then spoke of how God draws close to us and works things together for our good. My dad always reminded me of the faithfulness of God even when we don’t see it or feel it.
At the time, I didn’t love that answer. (What I wanted was what I deemed as fair!) But as I got older, I started to realize my dad was teaching me something deeper. Life isn’t always fair, but God is always good. And those two things can exist at the same time.
Wrestling with the Injustice of Pain and Suffering
We’ve all had those moments – the ones where we shake our fists and say, “God, this isn’t fair!”
When suffering hits close to home, when we are on the receiving end of a betrayal, when we watch others get what we prayed for, it’s easy to wrestle with the unfairness of it all.
We want answers. We want things to make sense. But sometimes, life doesn’t wrap itself up in a neat little bow.
I have cried out to God in moments of desperation, asking, “Why?” Why did this happen to me? Why did I have to walk through this kind of suffering?
And yet, I’ve learned that questioning God isn’t a lack of faith; it’s an invitation to draw closer to Him.
The Bible is filled with people who wrestled with the injustice of suffering, and God never turned them away. The weight of suffering can feel crushing, making it hard to see beyond the pain.
In those moments, it’s easy to believe that God is distant, but Scripture assures us that He is near to the brokenhearted. Even when life feels unbearable, God’s presence remains constant, offering a steady hand to hold onto.
Stories from Scripture: Questioning but Remaining Faithful
One of the most well-known examples of suffering in the Bible is Job. He lost everything – his children, his wealth, his health. His friends accused him of wrongdoing, and his wife told him to curse God and die.
Yet, in his grief, Job held onto God. He asked hard questions, but he never let go of his faith. In the end, God restored what Job had lost and revealed Himself in a powerful way.
Another example is David. Throughout the Psalms, we see his raw honesty before God. He cried out in anguish, wondering why God seemed distant. “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1). But even in his darkest moments, David always returned to the truth of God’s faithfulness. He chose to trust in God’s unfailing love.
Even Jesus, in His humanity, experienced suffering. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). On the cross, He cried out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). Yet, through His suffering, God’s ultimate plan for redemption was fulfilled.
These stories remind us that God is not afraid of our questions. He invites us to bring our pain to Him and to trust that He is working even when we don’t understand.
Finding Peace Even When You Don’t Understand
So how do we find peace when we don’t get the answers we want? That’s where trusting God comes in. Not the fluffy, feel-good version of trust, but the deep, steady kind – the kind that says, “Even if I don’t get it, even if this still hurts, I believe You are with me.”
When I was healing from my own trauma, I had to remind myself over and over that trusting God wasn’t about understanding why everything happened.
It was about believing He was holding me in it. That He hadn’t abandoned me. That somehow, even in the ashes, He was working redemption. And you know what? He was.
Peace doesn’t come from having all the answers – it comes from knowing Who holds the answers. In seasons of suffering, we often look for explanations, but what we really need is God’s presence.
I have found that peace is not the absence of pain, but the assurance that God is with me in it. When I shift my focus from the “why” to the “Who,” my heart begins to rest.
I may not understand why certain things happen, but I can trust that God’s character never changes. He is still good, still loving, still sovereign.
Practical Ways to Strengthen Faith During Trials
Holding onto faith in hard seasons is not easy, but there are practical ways we can anchor our hearts in God’s truth:
Stay in the Word
Scripture is our lifeline. When we fill our minds with God’s promises, our perspective begins to shift. Stay in God’s Word, even when you don’t feel like it. Read the Psalms – David was not afraid to cry out to God in raw honesty.
Memorizing key verses can help bring comfort in difficult moments. Consider writing down passages that speak to your heart and placing them somewhere you will see daily.
Pray Honestly
God already knows what’s on your heart, so don’t be afraid to tell Him. He is listening. Keep praying – even if it’s messy. God isn’t afraid of your doubts, your anger, or your tears. Bring it all to Him.
Sometimes, prayer is simply sitting in silence with God, allowing Him to speak to your heart. Other times, it may be crying out in desperation, but no matter how you pray, God hears you.
Worship Through the Pain
Worship has a way of realigning our hearts with truth. Even when you don’t feel like it, lift your voice in praise. There is power in worship.
Singing or listening to worship music can shift your focus from your problems to the greatness of God. Let the lyrics remind you of His faithfulness, even when circumstances seem bleak.
Lean on Community
God never intended for us to walk through trials alone. Surround yourself with people who remind you of God’s truth. Don’t isolate. Let others carry you when your faith feels weak.
Surround yourself with people who will pray for you, encourage you, and remind you of God’s faithfulness.
A strong support system can provide wisdom and strength when your faith feels weak. Don’t hesitate to share your burdens with trusted friends or a church family.
Look for God’s Hand
Even in the darkest seasons, God is at work. Find small moments of gratitude. Even in suffering, there is goodness. Look for it. Write it down.
Remember past faithfulness. If God has been faithful before, He will be faithful again. Hold onto those reminders. Reflecting on past faithfulness can strengthen your trust in Him for the future.
Sometimes, the smallest signs of His love – like a timely word from a friend or a beautiful sunrise – can be enough to remind you He is near.
Find small moments of gratitude. Even in suffering, there is goodness. Look for it. Write it down.
Choose Trust Daily
Faith is a daily decision. Some days will be harder than others, but choose to trust that God is good, even when life isn’t fair. Remind yourself of His promises, and take things one step at a time. When doubts creep in, speak truth over your situation and hold onto His unwavering love.
Holding On
Maybe you’re in a season right now where nothing makes sense. Maybe you’re tired, heartbroken, or just worn out from carrying the weight of it all. I get it. I’ve been there, too.
But I want to remind you – God is still with you. He sees your pain. He hears your cries. And He is working, even when you can’t see it. Life isn’t always fair, but God is always faithful. And even in the seasons that don’t make sense, He is still writing a redemption story. I’m living proof of that.
