Trusting God When Nothing is Happening

By Sandra Jean Charite

I recently heard someone say that, Trusting God is more than a feeling but it's a choice you make. Man, that sounded simple to the average believer but there are those times when my soul is exhausted, and I am tired of trying after giving my all, faithfully, and nothing is happening. Even when I’ve prayed, fasted, and read every scripture, about my circumstances, it seemed like I was paralyzed in my walk. So, I start to ask myself, Did God really say that or is He going to do that?  What do you do when you have given your all faithfully and everything you’ve prayed for isn’t coming to pass?

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths” - Proverbs 3:5-6.  If I had a dollar for every time I recited that scripture, I think I would be a millionaire already. Essentially, He wants us to put our plans and desires in his hands. He wants to bring cohesion to the whole of our lives – our jobs, our relationships, our desires.  Sometimes, that requires our hearts to be broken from the things we have attached in our lives that are not in his plans for us and even unlearning behaviors that are detrimental to fulfilling his will. 

Honestly, trusting Him sometimes is uncomfortable but God cannot lead you where you will not follow.

No matter how long you’ve been saved, trusting God comes with knowing and believing in His reliability, His Word, His ability, and His strength.  At times, people think that since you are a seasoned saint, you should have figured it out by now, or trusting God should come easy. Can I say that it’s not easy!! But we have a God who knows that it wouldn’t be easy, and he is willing to work with us through the process. God wants us to let go of having to figure it all out and instead let Him do what He does best, which is save us.

In 1 Peter 5:7, it says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you”.  He wants it all even when frustration hits your door and people, I said people, come to remind you of what hasn’t happened in your life. I got a call from a friend recently who inquired as to why they hadn’t seen any progress in my life.  The back story is last year, I confided to this individual that I was miserable in my job, ambiguous about ministry, waiting to become a wife, and longed to be a mother.  I believed and trusted God to move in these areas in my life. But, a year after our conversation, this individual was inquiring why these things hadn’t come to pass. They taunted me about what I was believing God for. They didn’t know the efforts I had made to improve my situations, but I still felt stuck in the same place. After all the praying and fasting, it felt tormenting like God didn’t want to move in my situation.

Just like with Hannah in 1 Samuel 1, God knew her situation. He knew how much she wanted children.  He knew of her adversary, Peninnah, who was constantly taunting her for her inability to have children.  Oftentimes, when we are in difficult situations beyond our control and nothing is happening, we tend to believe that God is tormenting us. However, He is doing something on the inside that will transform us for the greater good.  Hannah eventually realized that her barrenness was not about her but what God was doing on the inside of her. 

Most importantly, trusting God means trusting His timing.  His timing is perfect.  Yes, people might criticize you for what God hasn’t done yet.  You might have a meltdown. You will be tested in your waiting season. Shame will try to rob you of your peace but if God said it then he will do it. The interesting thing is God’s unchanging character can give us a firm foundation when things feel unsteady.  All you must do is trust Him when the impossible hits your door or your prayers are bouncing off the ceiling.

We must grow our desire for God’s instruction and guidance. He will never leave nor forsake you. As long as you are still breathing, He is still moving on your behalf.  Keep believing and keep trusting in his unchanging hands.