Trusting God in the Midst of the Storm

Psalm 56:3-4 – “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”

These past few days have felt like an unrelenting storm—waves of uncertainty crashing against me from every side. Attacks on my family, challenges in my mission work, and struggles in my workplace have surged like a flood, threatening to overwhelm me. The weight of it all has at times felt unbearable. Yet, even in the midst of this tempest, I find solace in the unwavering faithfulness of God. I have witnessed His power before, and I know He remains the same—steadfast, unshaken, and ever-present. These verses anchor my soul, urging me to trust Him, even when fear whispers otherwise.

Fear is a universal human experience, one that does not discriminate—even the most faithful servants of God have wrestled with it. Throughout Scripture, we find examples of men and women who, despite their unwavering devotion, found themselves trembling in uncertainty: 

• David wrote this psalm while being pursued by his enemies, fearing for his life (1 Samuel 21:10-15).
• Elijah fled into the wilderness after Jezebel threatened him, even after witnessing God’s power on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 19:3-4).
• Paul endured persecution, shipwrecks, and beatings, yet he kept his faith in God (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).

These examples remind us that fear is natural, but it does not have to control us. The key is where we turn when fear comes—David chose to trust God.

One of the hardest lessons in life is realizing that people can fail us. Even those we have helped or loved deeply may turn against us.

• Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers and sold into slavery (Genesis 37:18-28).
• David experienced betrayal from his close friend and counselor Ahithophel (2 Samuel 15:31).
• Jesus was betrayed by Judas, one of His twelve disciples (Luke 22:47-48).

People are imperfect, and placing our full trust in them will often lead to disappointment. But God is faithful and unchanging. He never fails. We can trust God completely. Why?

• He made you – “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you.” (Jeremiah 1:5. God is not a distant being; He is the One who lovingly created you. He knows you better than you know yourself.
• He knows you – “Even the hairs of your head are all numbered.” (Matthew 10:30. Every detail of your life matters to Him. He knows your struggles, your fears, and your pain.
• He will always do the best for you – “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11) Even when life doesn’t make sense, God’s plans are always for your good.
• You are His child – “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1). You are not just a servant or a follower—you are His beloved child. A loving father never abandons his children; he protects, provides, and walks with them through every trial.
• He will never leave you – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6). When people fail, God remains. He never abandons His children.

Trusting God is a daily choice. Here are some practical ways to build trust in Him:

• Remember His faithfulness. Keep a journal of answered prayers and past victories. Read stories of God’s faithfulness in the Bible (e.g., Exodus 14, Daniel 6, Acts 16).
• Immerse yourself in His Word. Meditate on trust-building Scriptures (Psalm 46:1, Isaiah 41:10, Romans 8:28). Speak God’s promises over your life.
• Pray with honesty. Tell God your fears and doubts—He already knows them. Ask Him to strengthen your faith and reveal His presence.
• Surround yourself with godly encouragement. Seek fellowship with strong believers who will remind you of God’s truth. Listen to worship music that points you back to God’s faithfulness.
• Obey even When it’s hard. Sometimes, trust grows when we take steps of obedience despite our fears. Like Peter stepping out onto the water (Matthew 14:29), we experience God’s power when we trust Him enough to obey.

A Prayer of Trust

Lord, when fear overwhelms me, help me to trust in You. I know that people may fail, but You remain faithful. Strengthen my heart to rely on Your promises and not my circumstances. Remind me of Your past faithfulness and give me peace in the present. I choose to trust You, knowing that You will never leave me nor forsake me. Amen.