Trusting God Is Good When Life Is Not

Introduction

This tutorial explores the journey of Hannah from the Bible, focusing on her unwavering trust in God during challenging times. By examining her story, we can learn how to navigate our own struggles, enhance our faith, and understand the importance of trusting God even when circumstances seem bleak.

Chapter 1: Hannah Decided to Put Her Trust in God

• Reflect on the verse Proverbs 3:5, which encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and not lean on our own understanding.
• Acknowledge that trusting God fully can be challenging, especially during difficult times.
• Recognize that what we worry about often indicates where we struggle to trust God.

Practical Tips

• Identify your worries and consider what they reveal about your faith.
• Practice affirmations like "I trust in the Lord with all my heart" to reinforce your commitment to faith.

Chapter 2: Year After Year, It Was The Same

• Understand Hannah’s cultural context as a woman unable to bear children, facing societal pressure and personal shame.
• Note her emotional struggles, particularly the taunts from her rival, Peninnah, which added to her anguish.
• Recognize that Hannah’s repeated prayers and waiting reflect a deep commitment to her faith despite disappointment.

Practical Advice

• Consider setting aside time for prayer and reflection, especially during seasons of waiting.
• Share your struggles with trusted friends or family to gain support.

Chapter 3: Crying Out to God in Anguish

• Explore Hannah’s heartfelt prayer at the temple, where she poured out her pain and made a vow to God.
• Understand that expressing raw emotions to God is a part of a healthy faith practice.

Key Takeaways

• God can handle your honesty and pain; don’t be afraid to express your feelings.
• Make your prayers specific, as Hannah did, asking for what you truly desire.

Chapter 4: It’s So Hard to Trust God When You Don’t Understand

• Acknowledge that trusting God can be especially hard when answers are not forthcoming.
• Despite her circumstances, Hannah chose to worship God, showing her commitment.

Strategies

• Engage in worship as an act of faith, even when you feel sad or confused.
• Keep a gratitude journal to remind yourself of God’s past faithfulness.

Chapter 5: Don’t Give Up

• Highlight the importance of perseverance in faith, even when you feel like giving up.
• Reflect on the fact that nothing externally changed for Hannah, yet she chose to worship God again.

Encouragement

• Surround yourself with a supportive community that encourages faith and perseverance.
• Continue to seek God through prayer, even when it feels difficult.

Chapter 6: How You Can Wait Well

• Discuss practical steps for waiting well, such as journaling to document your prayers and God’s responses over time.
• Emphasize that God often works in us before He works for us.

Action Steps

• Start a prayer journal to track both your requests and God’s answers.
• Reflect periodically on your journey to see how God has been faithful.

Chapter 7: Trusting God in Your Trials

• Reinforce that trusting God with our whole heart involves acknowledging His sovereignty over our circumstances.
• Discuss the ultimate fulfillment of Hannah’s prayer and her dedication of her son, Samuel, to God.

Final Thoughts

• Dedicate your struggles and desires to God as Hannah did, trusting Him with the outcomes.
• Be open to how God may be shaping you during your trials.

Conclusion

Hannah’s story teaches us invaluable lessons about trust, perseverance, and the importance of faith in times of struggle. By choosing to trust in God, even when answers are delayed, we can grow spiritually and find peace amid turmoil. As you navigate your own trials, remember to cry out to God, worship Him, and keep a record of His faithfulness in your life. Move forward with the confidence that God hears and cares for you, even in your waiting.