Seeking God in Adversity and Challenges

Seeking God in the  Adversity and Challenges-

Life has a way of throwing curveballs when we least expect them. Whether it’s a job loss that hits out of nowhere, a health diagnosis that changes everything, or relationships that crumble despite our best efforts, adversity doesn’t knock politely—it barges right in and makes itself at home.

I’ve learned that these difficult seasons don’t have to destroy our faith. Instead, they can become the very soil where our relationship with God grows deeper and stronger. But it requires intentional steps, daily choices to turn toward Him rather than away.

Here are three practices that have anchored me through life’s storms and can help you not just survive difficult seasons, but discover God’s faithfulness in new ways.

1. PRAYER – Your Connection to the Source

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen.” – Matthew 6:6a

I used to think prayer was mostly about asking God for things—help with this problem, fix that situation, change these circumstances. But adversity taught me that prayer is really about staying connected to God, who holds my life in His hands.

When life gets overwhelming, prayer becomes my lifeline. It’s not always eloquent or long. Sometimes it’s just “Help me, Lord” whispered in the car or “I can’t do this alone” breathed out in the middle of a sleepless night. But those simple prayers keep me tethered to Him when everything else feels like it’s spinning out of control.

Prayer doesn’t always change our circumstances immediately, but it always changes us. It reminds us we’re not navigating this alone.

Reflect: What is one way you can “plug in” each day? Maybe it’s starting your morning with coffee and conversation with God, or ending your day by giving Him your worries. The key is showing up consistently.

2. PURPOSE – Your Direction

“Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” – Psalm 25:4-5

When challenges hit, it’s easy to feel completely lost, like we’re wandering in circles without any sense of direction. I’ve been there—questioning not just my circumstances but wondering if God even sees me in the mess.

This is precisely when I need to remember that God has a purpose for my life, even in the painful chapters. Sometimes that purpose becomes clearer through adversity.

We discover strength we didn’t know we had, develop compassion that only comes through suffering, or find ourselves able to comfort others who walk similar paths.

The hard seasons aren’t wasted time in God’s economy. He’s always working, constantly weaving our story into something beautiful, even when we can’t yet see the pattern.

Reflect: Ask yourself, “How might God be using this difficult season to shape me or prepare me for something ahead?” Trust that He sees the bigger picture, even when you can’t.

3. PATIENCE – Growth Takes Time

“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.” – Psalm 37:7a

This might be the hardest lesson adversity teaches us. We want immediate answers, quick fixes, instant relief. But God rarely works on our timeline, and honestly, I’m grateful for that now, even though it’s frustrated me plenty of times.

Patience isn’t just gritting your teeth and enduring. It’s actively trusting that God’s timing is perfect, even when it doesn’t feel that way. It’s continuing to take small, faithful steps forward while we wait for Him to move.

Sometimes God says yes to our prayers, sometimes no, and sometimes wait. Learning to rest in His timing—to be still before Him—is a form of worship. It says we believe He knows what He’s doing, even when we don’t understand.

Reflect: What’s one small step you can take today, even in the waiting? Remember, God isn’t wasting your waiting season—He’s working in ways you may not see yet.

Moving Forward

Growing faith in the face of our challenges and adversity isn’t about having all the answers or feeling spiritually strong all the time. It’s about showing up each day, staying connected to God through prayer, trusting that He has a purpose in your pain, and believing His timing is perfect even when it’s not what you’d choose.

Whatever adversity you’re facing today, remember that everything comes from God, lives by His power, and exists for His glory. Your current struggle is part of a larger story He’s writing—one that will ultimately bring glory to Him and good to you, even if you can’t see how right now.

Keep talking to Him. Keep trusting His purpose. Keep believing His timing is best. Your faith will not just survive this season—it will emerge stronger because of it.

Dear Lord, I’ll be honest—this is hard. Some days I feel strong in my faith, and other days I feel like I’m barely hanging on. Forgive me when I try to handle things on my own, when I get so caught up in my problems that I forget to look up and remember You’re still in control.

Help me to stay connected to You through prayer, even when the words don’t come easily. Remind me that You have a purpose in this pain, even when I can’t see it yet. Give me patience to wait for Your timing, to trust that You’re working even in the silence. Amen

To receive these devotions in your email- Subscribe now