When Faith Feels Hard…

If I’m being honest, there are days when faith feels effortless. The prayers flow easily, God’s presence feels close, and joy overflows. But there are also days when faith feels heavy, the Bible seems silent, and I’m left wondering if my prayers even make it past the ceiling.

Maybe that is something that you have felt that too.

We don’t often talk about it, but the truth is that even the strongest believers go through seasons of doubt, dryness, or discouragement. Faith was never meant to be about perfect feelings or constant mountaintop experiences. It’s about trust, sometimes quiet and shaky, anchored in a God who never changes.

One of my favorite reminders of that trust comes from 2 Corinthians 5:7: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” The verse is short, but it carries a lot of weight. Walking by faith means choosing to trust God even when we can’t see the outcome, even when emotions don’t line up, even when we feel like we’re stumbling more than walking.

When faith feels hard, there are a few things that I remember (even if I cry about it first).

1. God is still near, even when He feels far.
   Psalm 34:18 tells us, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Your feelings may shift, but His presence doesn’t.

2. Faith grows in the struggle.
   Just like muscles grow when they’re stretched and tested, our faith deepens when we learn to trust God in the middle of uncertainty. James 1: 2-3 says “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

3. You’re not alone in this.
   Even biblical heroes wrestled with doubt. Think about Thomas, who needed to see Jesus’ scars or even King David, who cried out in the Psalms asking, “How long, Lord?” Faith struggles are not a sign of weakness, but of being human.

If you’re in a season where faith feels hard, let me encourage you with this. Keep going. Keep praying, even if the words are messy. Keep opening your Bible, even if it feels dry. Keep showing up, even if your heart feels weary. God honors persistence, and He meets us in the middle of our weakness. At the end of the day, faith isn’t about how strong we are. It’s about how strong God is and He has promised to carry us, even when we feel like we can’t take another step.

So if today feels heavy, take a deep breath. Whisper a prayer and remember that walking by faith doesn’t always mean running with joy. It often means taking one small, faithful step at a time.

We can take comfort in knowing that the God of the Old Testament is the God of the New Testament. He’s still the same even when we don’t see Him or feel Him. He is always working everything together for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)

With grace and gratitude,

Brianna