Dear God, Help Me Build a Resilient Faith

Years ago, my driver’s side car window broke unexpectedly. The window could no longer shut properly. I had to tape the gap between the door frame and the glass to keep out bugs and rain. During that time, I was in the process of recommitting my life to Jesus after being away from my faith for some time. I’d even decided to start tithing again just a week before my car window broke.

When I took my car to get an oil change, I’d also gotten an estimate for the window. I quickly realized that, if I held off on tithing, I could have my window repaired in a month or two. The temptation was instant. My life would be so much easier if I didn’t have to tape the window periodically. I wouldn’t have to worry about flies and mosquitoes getting into my car. I wouldn’t have to double check the tape before a rainy day. Despite the temptation, I chose to tithe. I wanted—needed—to fully recommit to faithfully living for Jesus. Still, I wondered why God allowed me to go through this situation when I was trying my best to do the right thing.

What About You?

Perhaps you’ve asked the same question in your life? You’ve done everything you could to honor God. You were honest, even when it hurt. You used your finances to support your local church. You faithfully read the Bible daily and attended church weekly. Despite all of this, you still faced an unexpected trial. Why, when you’re trying to do everything right, does it seem that your life, like my car window, is breaking down. Why did God allow it?

We may never know why God allows us to go through trials, especially when we feel that we’re doing our best to live for Him. God may never reveal to us His purpose in allowing us to experience the difficulties we’ve had to face. What He may do, however, is comfort us and offer His grace, His provision, and His wisdom to help us overcome our difficulties.

A Lesson in Resilient Faith

A couple years later, God blessed me with a new vehicle. When I received it, I thanked God not just for the new car but for His grace over me when I was driving my old car. I never learned why God allowed my window to break at that time in my faith, but I did learn something else. I learned to trust God even when everything isn’t perfect.

As we pray this week, let’s ask God to help us be resilient in our faith, even when life throws unexpected trials our way.

Prayer of the Week: Asking God to Help Us Build a Resilient Faith

Dear Father, I thank you that I can count on you, especially when life isn’t perfect. You are always there to provide your grace, provision, and wisdom in every situation. Please help me in my current trials, Father. Strengthen me and help me to build a resilient faith. Show me how to trust you when trials come my way. Encourage me to lean on you to do what is right and follow you faithfully even when I don’t understand.

Father, I’m reminded of the prophet Elijah (1 Kings 19) who did everything right in his ministry but was disappointed with the result. You spoke to him and encouraged him. Father, I pray that you would do the same for me. Refresh me in your presence during trials. Speak your love and encouragement over me so that I’m able to build a resilient faith. I need you to be near to me, Lord, as I go through the trials of life. I thank you, Lord, for your presence. I thank you that you will speak into my situation. And I thank you that you will strengthen my faith and encourage me to trust you when I don’t understand. Father, I thank you in advance for your unfailing love and unending grace over my life. In Jesus name, amen!