How to Have Faith When Everything is Going Wrong

by charlenekugler | Christian Lifestyle, Faith, Victory

How to Have Faith When Everything is Going Wrong

Have you ever felt like your faith was being tested? Do you wonder how to have faith when everything is going wrong? It’s like God pressed the pause button right when you needed Him most?

We’ve all been there – stranded in the middle of a stormy sea, crying out for rescue. In times of crisis, it’s so easy to feel overwhelmed and doubtful. Your prayers seem to float aimlessly to the ceiling. Fear and uncertainty creep in.

But friend, take heart! God hasn’t forgotten you. He hears every prayer and collects every tear. The truth is, adversity has a way of refining our faith and drawing us closer to Jesus. While the waves may thrash and roll, we have an anchor for the soul – one that keeps us steady no matter how crazy life gets (Hebrews 6:19).

How to Have Faith When Everything is Going Wrong

So how do we cultivate such faith when everything around us seem to be going wrong? Here are a few steps for victory in times of tribulations. Let’s break it down…

1. Remember Who’s In Your Boat

In Matthew 14, the disciples were stuck in a raging storm, fighting for their lives. While they panicked and bailed water, Jesus slept soundly in the back of the boat. Finally, they woke Him up shouting, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” Jesus simply spoke to the wind and waves, “Peace, be still.” In an instant, the sea became “perfectly calm.”

Then He turned to His disciples and asked, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” (Matthew 14:22-33)

When chaos strikes, we forget who’s on our side. We operate in survival mode, scrambling for fixes, as if we’re alone in this fight. But the Prince of Peace is always near, inviting us to be still and know He is God (Psalm 46:10). Even if He choose not to calm the storm, He’ll still calm our souls with His presence.

Remember, friend. You’re not alone in the boat. Fix your eyes on Jesus, not the waves.

2. Cling to God’s Promises

God’s Word is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path, especially when the way ahead looks dark (Psalm 119:105). We can trust His promises because He cannot lie (Titus 1:2). He assures us that…

– He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5)

– He works all things for our good (Romans 8:28)

– He comforts us in affliction (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

– He has overcome the world (John 16:33)

When doubt sets in, combat it with truth. Just as Jesus used Scripture to fend off Satan’s lies in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11), we can wield God’s Word against our fears. Read it, write it, speak it – let His promises penetrate deep into your spirit. They will renew your mind and remind you of His faithfulness.

3. Share Your Struggles with Trusted Believers

Christian community provides comfort, wisdom, and strength we can’t find alone. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”

Don’t isolate when adversity hits. Reach out to mature believers who can pray with you, speak truth, and offer godly counsel. Their support keeps us tethered to Christ amid the storm. You don’t have to white-knuckle through crisis. Let trusted friends help bear your burdens.

4. Recall God’s Past Faithfulness

David said to Goliath, “The Lord who rescued me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will rescue me from the hand of this Philistine” (1 Samuel 17:37). His confidence came from remembering how God helped him before.

When faith wavers, reflect on times God came through. How has He shown His power, goodness, and presence in your past? Recall specific prayers He’s answered. Write them in a journal. Tell them often to strengthen your trust.

Remembering His faithfulness in seasons past renews our hope for today. We can boldly declare with David, “This poor man called, and the Lord heard him.” (Psalm 34:6)

5. Give Thanks and Praise

Praise focuses on God rather than our circumstances. As we bless His name, our gaze shifts from the storm to the Savior. Psalm 34:1 urges, “I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.”

God inhabits the praises of His people (Psalms 22:3). As we worship in the midst of affliction, we experience His presence in a profound way. Pain remains, but hope rises. Strength is renewed like the eagle’s (Isaiah 40:31).

So turn up a worship song. Lift holy hands. Sing praises in the prison like Paul and Silas (Acts 16:25). Let thanksgiving flow from a grateful heart. God will meet you with unspeakable joy.

6. Believe God Can

When blind Bartimaeus cried out to Jesus, “many rebuked him and told him to be quiet.” But Bartimaeus shouted even louder, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:46-52). Even when others doubted, Bartimaeus believed Jesus could restore his sight.

Like Bartimaeus, we must be tenacious in faith. Don’t let fear or naysayers talk you out of God’s best. He is able do to immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). Ask boldly. Believe unwaveringly. Desperation draws His power. Remember, with God nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37).

Friend, storms will come. But as you walk with Jesus through deep waters, your faith will grow. You’ll realize He sustains you; that no wind or wave can sink His children. Fix your eyes on Jesus. God’s purpose remains – to transform you into Christ’s image so you reflect His glory. That process requires tribulations. But take heart…one day your faith will become sight. Until then, let us trust Him who holds the wind and waves. The storm won’t last forever.

Do you have any favourite strategy to help you to have faith when everything is going wrong? Share it with us in the comments 🙂

Transformation and Victory: Steps to Experiencing Victory in Christ

by charlenekugler | Christian Lifestyle, Faith, Victory

Transformation and Victory: Steps to Experiencing Victory in Christ

As Christians, we are called to live a life of victory – not one defined by worldly measures of success, but one marked by the joy, peace, and hope we have in Jesus.

Though we face daily struggles and trials, we can live as more than conquerors through the power of Christ in us.

What does this victorious life look like? How can we walk daily in the triumph Christ has already won for us? How will our lives be transformed as we experience this victory in Christ?

The key is found in an ongoing life of faith and surrender.

The Role of Faith

Hebrews 11 showcases heroes of faith who exemplified victorious lives, and Romans 1:17 declares “the righteous will live by faith.”

Faith is essential – it is the means by which we receive salvation in Christ, and it enables us to live empowered by His Spirit.

Genuine faith involves believing God’s Word and trusting in His promises despite our circumstances. It means clinging to truths like God’s sovereignty, goodness, and love when storms come our way.

Faith provides unshakable confidence that emboldens us to follow God’s leading and equips us to withstand enemy attacks. As 1 John 5:4 declares, it is our faith that overcomes the world.

The victorious life is grounded in taking God at His Word – trusting Him fully and living each day with an assurance that His way is best. We don’t trust primarily in what we can see and touch, but in the unseen spiritual realities that are ours in Christ. We live to please our King based on His promises, not earthly rewards.

By faith, we can have victory in all we do.

The Necessity of Surrender

Surrender goes hand in hand with faith. As Jesus said in John 15, abiding in Him as the True Vine is essential for bearing fruit. Daily surrender means laying down our own agendas and relying on the Spirit’s power to accomplish God’s will. It requires humility, obedience, and a willingness to follow where He leads.

The victorious life we have in Christ means we cannot live in our own strength but depend on His power to manifest the victory we need. Like Paul in 2 Corinthians 12, we are strongest when we boast in our weaknesses, allowing Christ’s power to shine through us.

Surrender admits our inability and casts ourselves completely on the Lord. Dying to self opens the way for His resurrection life to flow.

Living surrendered means giving up control of the outcomes. We walk by faith even when we can’t see where the path leads. With Job, we bless the name of the Lord whether giving or taking away.

Surrender motivates us to obey instantly and trust God to direct our steps. It enables us to cling to God’s purposes rather than demanding our own way.

Standing Firm in Spiritual Battles

While the victorious Christian life is characterized by faith and surrender, it is not without intense spiritual battles. Putting our trust in Christ and submitting to His Lordship inevitably provokes enemy opposition. We must be ready to stand firm.

As Ephesians 6 describes, we need the full armor of God for protection against spiritual forces of evil. Temptations will come, but God faithfully provides the way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). He equips us to resist the Devil so he will flee (James 4:7). With His strength, we can conquer destructive thought patterns and habits.

Living victoriously means persevering through hardship and persecution, overcoming evil with good. We maintain joy in the midst of trials, keeping an eternal perspective. However bleak circumstances appear, we can trust God to work all things for our good. Our faith remains anchored in Christ’s finished work, not our personal comfort.

Standing firm spiritually requires vigilance and constant dependence on the Holy Spirit. We must take every thought captive and walk in step with Him. Prayer is vital – our lifeline for receiving grace and power. God wisely allows battles to teach us perseverance and drive us closer to Him. Our victory is assured as we cling to Him.

Running to Win the Prize

Ultimately, the victorious Christian life leads to an imperishable heavenly prize. Like Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:24, we run to win the race marked out for us. Our eyes stay fixed on the finish line – eternity with Christ.

This doesn’t mean perfection or ease on earth. It means straining forward in the power of the Spirit, becoming more like Jesus each day. It means living wholeheartedly for God’s Kingdom purposes rather than earthly comforts. Our lifestyles are motivated by treasuring Christ above all.

Living victoriously means embracing sacrifice and suffering for the sake of the Gospel. We pour ourselves out in service to others, following Jesus’ example. We are willing to surrender rights and ambitions that could hinder Kingdom advancement. Our earthly lives are offered as worship.

The victorious life is empowered by the endless supply of God’s grace. We don’t earn righteousness by works but walk in the dynamic life of the Spirit. Our old self is crucified so His resurrection power flows through us. We live in victory because His life has conquered our sin and defeated death forever!

The Journey of Faith and Surrender

While victory is assured through faith in Christ, we must continually choose to walk in surrender and trust. Our minds and hearts need renewing when we are weak or step out of abiding. Thankfully, our Father is patient, drawing us back into communion with Him.

The victorious Christian life is a journey, not a destination. Every day we are called to die to self, embrace the cross, and live for eternity. These are the steps to experiencing victory in Christ. Our faith will be tested, but the Spirit remains with us. He makes us more than conquerors – empowered to walk triumphantly no matter what comes our way. Christ leads us onward to ultimate victory!

Commit yourself to take hold of this victory you have in Christ. Surrender your whole life to Jesus and allow Him to transform you to be like Christ. It is in Him that you victory rest. And when things get tough, and you feel weak, remind yourself that God’s strength is made perfect in your weakness. Rejoice! Pray! For the king is on your side!