How To Strengthen Your Faith When Life Feels Hard

Anchor of the Week

"Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls." – 1 Peter 1:8-9 (NIV)

This Week’s Message

This week, I kept thinking about a comment I received from someone who said, “There’s no way God can exist, because if He did, I wouldn’t be suffering like this.” That was really tough for me to hear. And before I could even finish typing my reply, I paused, and had to ask myself. “Have I ever felt this way?"

With complete honesty, I had to admit—yes, I have thought something similar during my own seasons of grief and loss. When life breaks us, the natural question is “Why God?” Why doesn’t He stop the tragedies that steal children too soon, or the sickness that ravages bodies, or the wars that shatter nations? These questions are real, and they hurt. So much so that it sometimes makes us turn away from God.

Romans 8:24-25 tells us: “But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” Faith calls us to remain hopeful, not because our circumstances are good but because our God is.

When we feel our faith fading, we must realize that faith itself isn’t rooted in everything making sense; it’s rooted in trusting God when nothing makes sense. If we measure God’s existence by our pain, we will always come up short. But if we measure Him by His promises, we discover a God who is present in every fire, every flood, and every storm.

Our world can be really dark, but it can also be breathtakingly beautiful. Sunsets still streak the sky with vibrant colors, babies still take their first breaths, laughter still fills rooms, and compassion still breaks through heartbreak. This tension between suffering and beauty is where our faith grows. And scripture calls us not to let our doubts define us, but to anchor ourselves deeper into Him. “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.” – Psalm 56:3

Bible Story: Abraham’s Tested Faith

One of the clearest demonstrations of faith in the face of tragedy is Abraham’s story in Genesis 22. God asked Abraham to sacrifice his beloved son, Isaac—the very son He had promised. Imagine the anguish, the questions, and the heartbreak. Yet despite all that Abraham obeyed, he trusted God’s character even when His command seemed impossible.

As Abraham lifted the knife to kill his son, God intervened, providing a ram in Isaac’s place. Abraham named that place “The Lord Will Provide.” His faith did not remove the trial, but it revealed a deeper trust in God’s goodness. Abraham’s story reminds us that faith is not about perfect circumstances—it’s about holding fast to a perfect God in the middle of circumstances that feel unbearable.

Anchored Truths for Weak Moments

Isaiah 43:2 (NIV)
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

This verse reminds us that faith doesn’t mean avoiding hardship—it means we’re never alone in it. The waters still rise, the fires still burn, but God’s presence keeps us from being destroyed. In seasons when faith feels hard, we cling to the promise that God is with us in the middle of it all, carrying us when we cannot carry ourselves.

Mark 9:24 (NIV)
“Immediately, the boy’s father exclaimed, ‘I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

This verse is one of the most honest prayers in the Bible. It shows us that faith and doubt can exist side by side, and God is big enough to handle both. When our faith feels weak, we don’t have to hide it or pretend we’re stronger than we are—we can bring our unbelief to Jesus and trust Him to strengthen what feels broken in us.

Psalm 34:18 (NIV)
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

This verse is a comfort for the moments when we feel too weak to even pray. God doesn’t distance Himself from our pain—He draws near. When tragedy makes us question everything, His nearness becomes our anchor. Even in our lowest points, His love surrounds us, proving that He does not abandon the brokenhearted but rescues them with tender care.

This Week’s Meditation

This week’s meditation When Faith Feels Weak, was created because we all have moments when faith feels fragile. It is my prayer that if you are struggling with faith right now, this will help bring you back to Him—to His ways and into the unshakable faith you need to carry you through whatever comes your way.

When Faith Feels Weak: What We Can Do

Here are a few ways to lean in when doubt and discouragement creep in:

—Pray Honestly
Tell God exactly how you feel. He can handle your questions, your anger, and your tears. Sometimes the most powerful prayer is, “Lord, help my unbelief.”

—Anchor Yourself in Scripture
Open your Bible even when it feels heavy. Verses of God’s promises remind us of His faithfulness when our hearts forget.

—Seek Community
Share your struggles with trusted believers who will pray with you, encourage you, and remind you of truth when your own strength wavers. Send a prayer request anytime by responding to any of our emails.

—Worship Through the Struggle
Sing, listen, or sit quietly in God’s presence. Worship shifts our focus from what’s broken to the One who holds it all.

—Remember God’s Past Faithfulness
Write down or recall times when God carried you before. Your story becomes proof that He’ll do it again.

—Rest in His Grace
Weak faith does not push God away—it draws Him near. Trust that He’s holding on to you, even when you feel like you can barely hold on to Him. Consider meditation to help draw you closer.

Special Announcement

This Monday marks Anchored in Faith’s one-year anniversary! I’m humbled by the countless ways God has moved in this community, and I thank Him for every heart that has joined the journey.

I’m also overjoyed to share that our newest 30-day devotional, Anchored in the Storm, is here!

• Hardcover & Kindle – Available today

• Paperback – Available tomorrow 09/22/2025

This book is a collection of daily encouragements for staying rooted in God when life feels unbearable.

Faith-Building Reads on Amazon

Here are three other powerful resources to help you navigate seasons of doubt and suffering:

• Walking with God through Pain and Suffering by Timothy Keller
  👉 Get it on Amazon

• It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lysa TerKeurst
  👉 Get it on Amazon

• A Grace Disguised: How the Soul Grows through Loss by Jerry Sittser
  👉 Get it on Amazon

(As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission from qualifying purchases, but I only recommend books that truly build faith and offer hope.)

Final Thoughts

Struggling with faith does not disqualify you from God’s love; it draws you deeper into it. When your prayers feel unanswered and your heart is heavy with doubt, remember that even the heroes of Scripture wrestled with questions. Abraham trusted God despite what he saw, Job cried out in anguish, and Thomas needed proof. Yet God met each of them with patience and grace.

Your doubt is often the very soil where faith grows stronger roots, watered by God’s mercy and sustained by His promises. In the breaking, He builds resilience. In the questioning, He offers revelation. In our weakness, He pours out strength.

So hold fast. Even when your grip feels fragile, know that His hold on you is unshakable. He is still your rock, still your fortress, still your salvation—yesterday, today, and forever.

Closing Prayer 

Father, we come before You with hearts that sometimes feel weary and faith that at times feels fragile. Thank You for being patient with our doubts and for never turning us away when our questions overwhelm us. Strengthen us in our weakness, remind us of Your promises, and anchor us in Your love. Lord, when we cannot see the way forward, help us to trust that You are still working, still moving, and still holding us in the palm of Your hand. Be our rock, our refuge, and our fortress today and always. In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Have a blessed week ahead, I’ll see you here next Sunday ❤️🙏🏻
~Amber