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Why Hard Times Cause Us to Doubt God
Published 24 days ago • 7 min read
Hello Reader,
Have you ever felt like God is distant in the midst of your struggles? When life feels overwhelming—whether through anxiety, depression, or unanswered prayers—it’s easy to question His goodness. Even the strongest believers wrestle with doubt when circumstances seem unbearable. But as we are learning, doubt doesn’t mean your faith is failing—it means you’re human.
In this week’s article, Struggling with Faith? Why Hard Times Cause Us to Doubt God and What to Do About It, we explore why life’s hardships can shake our faith and, more importantly, how we can hold onto God even when He feels far away. If you’ve ever found yourself wondering, Where is God in my pain?, this article will bring biblical encouragement and practical steps to help you trust Him, even in the storm.
Why Hard Times Cause Us to Doubt God and What to Do About It
If God is good, why do bad things happen? Why does suffering persist despite our prayers? Why does God sometimes feel distant when we need Him most?
Questions aren't signs of weak faith. They're the heartfelt cries of someone wrestling with the realities of life. For those facing brain health challenges like depression, anxiety, or trauma, these doubts can feel even heavier. When our circumstances are painful and confusing, it's natural to wonder if God is truly present and good.
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But doubt does not mean abandonment. Many great men and women of faith—Biblical heroes and ordinary people alike—faced moments of doubt. Understanding how our circumstances shape our doubts can help us navigate these struggles and deepen our trust in God.
1. How Circumstances Shape Our View of God
Our experiences play a substantial role in shaping how we see God. When my life is going well, praising His goodness is easy. When hardships come, it is easy to question whether He genuinely cares.
The Israelites' Doubt in the Wilderness
After witnessing God's miracles in Egypt—the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and manna from heaven—the Israelites still doubted Him when faced with hardship. In Exodus 16:3, they grumbled: "If only we had died by the Lord's hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve to death." Their difficult circumstances clouded their trust in God.
Below are some other examples of modern-day struggles.
Our Modern-Day Struggles
Chronic illness or brain health struggles may make us feel alone or abandoned.
Financial struggles can make us doubt whether God provides.
Relationship breakdowns might make us question if God truly loves us.
When you seem to be facing one detour after another, it can make you question God's goodness and faithfulness. Difficult circumstances certainly don't change who God is, but they often distort our ability to see Him. Just as fog can block the sun, suffering can obscure our trust in God's goodness.
2. When Prayers Go Unanswered
One of the most painful struggles in my faith is when I pray and don't see immediate answers. The Bible clearly tells us to ask, seek, and knock (Matthew 7:7), but what happens when the door seems to remain closed? Things may not be clear, and you still lack a definite answer.
Martha and Mary's Disappointment
In John 11, Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that Lazarus, their brother, was dying. They believed Jesus would come immediately to heal him. But when Jesus delayed. Lazarus died, and the sisters were heartbroken. When Jesus did arrive, Martha said: "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died." – John 11:21 She was struggling with doubt because of her painful circumstances.
Have you been there? Everything would have been great if God had just shown up when you prayed. Instead, God delays a few days, weeks, months, or even years. It makes you wonder, "Are God's promises for you too?" You ask yourself, "Did I miss something?"
God's Greater Plan
Jesus did not ignore Mary and Martha's pain. Instead, He had a greater plan—to raise Lazarus from the dead, revealing His power over life and death. Often, when God delays, it's because He is working in ways we cannot yet see.
Modern-Day Struggles
When healing doesn't come despite fervent prayers, we may feel forgotten.
When depression lingers despite faith, we can feel like God isn't listening.
When relationships remain broken, it's understandable to wonder if He cares.
But God sees the bigger picture. His silence does not mean absence, and His delays are not denials.
3. Emotional and Brain Health Challenges Intensify Doubt
For those struggling with brain health challenges, faith can seem even harder. Depression can often make it difficult to feel God's presence. Anxiety tends to fill our minds with fear and doubt. Trauma can make it hard to trust anyone—including God.
Connecting with God can be challenging, even for the clearest of minds. When you add brain health challenges to the mix, it can make the process feel impossible. When you seek God and struggle to feel God's presence, it can cause you to ask tough questions. This struggle can lead to feeling unlovable, guilty, shameful, or unworthy.
Elijah's Despair
Elijah was a prophet who had seen God work miracles— in 1 Kings 18, calling down fire from heaven and defeating the prophets of Baal. Yet after a season of intense fear and exhaustion, Elijah became deeply depressed and wanted to die: "I have had enough, Lord… Take my life" (1 Kings 19:4).
God's Compassionate Response
Instead of rebuking Elijah for his despair, God provided food, rest, and gentle encouragement. Sometimes, our struggles are not just spiritual but also physical and emotional. God meets us in all of these areas.
Modern-Day Struggles
When depression numbs us, we can wonder if God is truly near.
When anxiety takes over, we may struggle to trust His control.
When past trauma resurfaces, we sometimes feel abandoned.
It's important to acknowledge that God truly understands the depth of our emotions. In our moments of pain, He is right there with us, offering comfort and compassion. He cares for every part of our being, reminding us that we are never alone in our struggles.
4. When the Enemy Exploits Our Weaknesses
Satan loves to use our circumstances against us, planting seeds of doubt in our minds. We see this in the Garden of Eden, as Satan twists God's words to Eve (Genesis 3:1). He did this to Jesus, tempting Him to question God's plan (Matthew 4:1-11). And he does this to us today.
Modern-Day Struggles
The enemy whispers: "God has abandoned you." But Scripture says: "I will never leave you nor forsake you." – Hebrews 13:5
The enemy says: "You're too broken for God to use." But God says: "My power is made perfect in weakness." – 2 Corinthians 12:9
Recognizing the enemy's tactics helps us fight back with truth.
5. How to Hold Onto Faith Despite Circumstances
Faith is not about ignoring pain—it's about trusting God in the middle of it. Holding onto faith doesn't mean we won't struggle; it means we choose to believe that God is still working, even when we don't see it. Like an anchor that keeps a ship steady in a storm, our faith in God can sustain us if we learn how to strengthen it. Even when life feels unfair, there are practical ways to hold onto faith and stay connected to Him.
Here's how we can hold onto faith:
Anchor in Scripture – The Bible reminds us of God's character, even when emotions say otherwise (Psalm 34:8, Romans 8:28).
Be Honest with God – He welcomes our raw prayers (Psalm 13, Mark 9:24).
Surround Yourself with Believers – Community strengthens faith (Hebrews 10:25).
Remember Past Faithfulness – Reflecting on how God has worked before can help sustain us now.
Take Small Steps of Faith – Even when doubt overwhelms, trusting God in small ways builds spiritual resilience.
Craig Groeschel says, "Doubts don't make you a bad Christian. They make you human."
Likewise, doubt driven by circumstances is not a sign of weak faith—it's a part of the journey. Even the most devoted believers struggle with doubt when life becomes overwhelming.
Remember: God can handle our questions, and He never abandons us in our struggles. If you're feeling distant from Him today, take heart—He is with you, even when circumstances try to tell you otherwise. Hold onto hope, even if it's just by a thread of faith.
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." – Psalm 34:18
Why We Question God’s Goodness – Understanding Doubt in Difficult Times
Why did my friend have to die when all his friends and family were praying earnestly for him? How could my husband give up on us like that after everything we’ve been through? When we face pain, suffering, or loss, it can raise all sorts of questions. Or perhaps you’ve received some incredibly bad news that made you question God. With all of life’s hardships, it is easy to see why we question God’s goodness.
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