Faith in Trials: Trusting God Through Uncertainty
Summary
There are seasons in life when the weight of the world feels overwhelming—when pain, uncertainty, and trials seem to press in from every side. Yet, in these moments, God remains the lifter of our heads, the One who sustains us when we feel like giving up. The story from Matthew 17:14-20 reminds us of a desperate father who, after exhausting every other option, brings his suffering son to Jesus. This act of kneeling is not just a plea for help, but an act of worship—a recognition that only Jesus has the power to change what seems unchangeable.
Faith is not about seeing the answer before we believe; it’s about trusting God even when nothing looks like what we prayed for. In these turbulent times—whether it’s global unrest, personal struggles, or heartbreak at home—faith is the anchor that holds us steady. Jesus teaches that even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. The problem is not always the size of our faith, but where we place it. When we start relying on our own strength, our faith becomes ineffective. But when we bring our burdens directly to Jesus, trusting Him above all else, we open the door for the impossible to become possible.
Sometimes, like the disciples, we may wonder why our prayers seem powerless. Jesus points out that it’s not about spiritual status or past victories, but about humble, persistent faith in Him. We must guard against pride and self-reliance, remembering that every breakthrough, every blessing, is because of God’s hand on our lives. And when we struggle with doubt, we can echo the words, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” God honors honest faith, even when it’s mixed with questions.
As we move forward, let’s ask God to restore our faith, to help us trust Him even when we can’t trace His hand. Let’s believe that He is turning things around, that the mountains in our lives are being destroyed, not just moved. And let’s thank Him in advance for the victories yet to come, knowing that prayer still changes things and that God’s word stands forever.
Key Takeaways
- God is the lifter of our heads, especially in seasons of heaviness and despair. When the weight of life becomes too much, worship and surrender open the way for God’s sustaining presence. Even when circumstances don’t change immediately, God’s faithfulness remains our source of hope and strength. [45:29]
- True faith is not about what we see, but about trusting God when nothing makes sense. In times when prayers seem unanswered and life looks nothing like what we hoped for, faith declares, “God will make a way somehow.” This kind of faith is not passive; it’s a determined trust that God is working, even in silence. [57:06]
- Bringing our deepest needs directly to Jesus is essential. Too often, we look to others for solutions that only God can provide. Jesus invites us to bring our burdens to Him, bypassing pride, ego, or reliance on others, and trusting that He alone has the power to heal and deliver. [01:02:42]
- Pride and self-reliance can render our faith powerless. The disciples’ inability to cast out the demon was rooted in their shift from dependence on Jesus to confidence in themselves. We must remain humble, recognizing that every victory is by God’s grace, and guard against becoming “too big” for God to use. [01:06:27]
- Honest faith includes admitting our struggles and doubts. Like the father in Mark 9, we can say, “I believe; help my unbelief.” God honors authenticity, and when we ask Him to restore our faith, He meets us with grace, turning our weakness into strength and our uncertainty into testimony. [01:13:33]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[45:29] - God, the Lifter of Our Heads
[46:59] - Opening Prayer and Gratitude
[48:23] - Scripture Reading: Matthew 17:14-20
[57:06] - The Desperate Father’s Faith
[01:02:08] - Bringing Our Needs to Jesus
[01:02:42] - Jesus’ Invitation: Bring It to Me
[01:04:35] - The Danger of Spiritual Pride
[01:06:27] - Why Faith Fails: Self-Reliance
[01:09:25] - Honest Faith: “Help My Unbelief”
[01:13:33] - Mustard Seed Faith and Moving Mountains
[01:19:08] - Destroying, Not Just Moving, Mountains
[01:20:35] - Invitation to Christ and Testimony
[01:23:53] - Prayer for Recommitment and Restoration
[01:25:45] - Prayer for Restored Faith
[01:28:49] - Declaration: It’s Turning Around
[01:32:07] - Community Prayers and Announcements
[01:34:25] - Celebrating Pastoral Appointments
[01:36:19] - Sanctuary Refresh and Service Changes
[01:37:32] - Fellowship Hall Instructions
[01:39:37] - Community Outreach and Giving
[01:46:35] - Voting and Civic Engagement
[01:50:01] - Closing Blessing and Father’s Day Gifts
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Discussion Guide
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### Bible Reading
- Matthew 17:14-20 (ESV)
> And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
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### Observation Questions
1. What did the father do when he realized no one else could help his son? What does his action show about his attitude toward Jesus? ([57:06])
2. According to Jesus, why were the disciples unable to cast out the demon from the boy? ([01:06:27])
3. What does Jesus say about the size of faith needed to move mountains? How does he illustrate this? ([01:13:33])
4. In the story, what is the immediate result when the boy is brought directly to Jesus? ([01:02:42])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think the father’s act of kneeling before Jesus is described as both a plea for help and an act of worship? What does this say about how we should approach God in our own desperate times? ([57:06])
2. The sermon mentions that the disciples’ failure was not about their spiritual status or past victories, but about where they placed their faith. What does this teach us about the dangers of pride and self-reliance in our spiritual lives? ([01:06:27])
3. Jesus says that even faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains. What does this suggest about the nature of faith and what God is looking for in us? ([01:13:33])
4. The father in Mark 9 says, “I believe; help my unbelief.” How does this honest admission of doubt fit into the idea of “mountain-moving faith”? ([01:09:25])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon says, “God is the lifter of our heads, especially in seasons of heaviness and despair.” When was the last time you felt overwhelmed by life? Did you turn to God in worship or try to handle it on your own? What would it look like for you to surrender your burdens to God this week? ([45:29])
2. The father brought his deepest need directly to Jesus after trying everything else. Is there a situation in your life right now where you’ve been looking for answers everywhere but God? What would it mean for you to “bring it to Jesus” today? ([01:02:42])
3. The sermon warns that pride and self-reliance can make our faith powerless. Are there areas in your life where you’ve started to rely more on your own strength than on God? How can you shift your trust back to Him? ([01:06:27])
4. Jesus honors honest faith, even when it’s mixed with doubt. Can you think of a time when you struggled with doubt but still chose to trust God? How did God meet you in that moment? ([01:09:25])
5. The pastor encouraged the church to thank God in advance for victories yet to come. Is there something you are praying for that hasn’t happened yet? How can you practice gratitude and faith even before you see the answer? ([01:26:13])
6. The sermon says, “Faith is not about seeing the answer before we believe; it’s about trusting God even when nothing looks like what we prayed for.” Are you facing a situation right now that looks nothing like what you hoped for? How can you hold on to faith in this season? ([01:13:33])
7. The message challenges us to ask God to restore our faith. Is there a specific area where you need God to restore your faith? What step can you take this week to invite God into that process? ([01:25:45])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray for one another, especially for those who are facing “mountains” in their lives. Ask God to restore faith, to help with unbelief, and to give the courage to bring every need directly to Jesus. Thank God in advance for the victories He will bring.
Devotional
Day 1: Mountain-Moving Faith Overcomes Impossible Situations
True faith, even as small as a mustard seed, can move the mountains in our lives and make the impossible possible.
Matthew 17:14-20 (ESV)
And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Reflection: What is one “mountain” in your life that feels immovable right now? Will you bring it directly to Jesus today and ask Him to move it, trusting Him even if you can’t see how? [48:23]
Day 2: Worship in Desperation—Bring It to Jesus
In moments of desperation, true worship is coming humbly before Jesus, trusting Him with what we cannot fix ourselves.
Mark 9:20-24 (ESV)
And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. And Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”
Reflection: When was the last time you knelt before God with your deepest need, not just asking for help but worshiping Him in the midst of your pain? Can you do that today? [01:09:25]
Day 3: Don’t Rely on Your Own Strength—Depend on God
Relying on our own abilities leads to spiritual emptiness, but depending on God’s power brings true breakthrough.
Psalm 121:1-2 (ESV)
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
Reflection: In what area of your life have you been depending on your own strength instead of God’s? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him right now? [01:06:27]
Day 4: Honest Faith—“Help My Unbelief”
God honors honest faith, even when we struggle with doubt, and invites us to bring our unbelief to Him for help.
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
Reflection: Where are you struggling to believe God will come through? Will you pray honestly today, “Lord, I believe—help my unbelief,” and trust Him with your doubts? [01:13:33]
Day 5: Thank God in Advance—Faith That Anticipates the Turnaround
Faith thanks God before the answer comes, believing that He is already working to turn things around for your good.
Philippians 4:6-7 (ESV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Reflection: What is one thing you are waiting on God to do? Can you thank Him in advance today, trusting that He is already working on your behalf? [01:26:13]
Quotes
You're going to have to be able to trust God even when you don't understand what God is up to. I wish I had about 20 of y 'all that can say, you preaching to me, pastor, because there's some stuff happening in my life right now and I don't know what God is up to. I don't know what God is doing because it don't look like what I prayed for. [00:55:53] (20 seconds)
I got some mountains that need to get out of my way. I got some trials I need to get out of my way. I got some stuff that I need to move out of my way because the mountain is stopping me from getting to my blessing but my faith is going to help me overcome that thing that's stopping my breakthrough. [00:56:42] (24 seconds)
The problem some of us have is we're bringing our stuff to the wrong people. The problem we have is we're bringing stuff to everybody but the right person. But just because somebody got a prayer through yesterday doesn't mean they can get a prayer through today. [01:02:25] (17 seconds)
Be careful bringing stuff to folk who are full of themselves. If you don't call me, it just won't get done. If they don't talk to me, I won't make it happen. Baby, you can't make nothing happen. Because I already know somebody that can make everything happen. And I don't need you to do this. I know somebody that can do it for me. [01:04:58] (28 seconds)
I believe, but help my unbelief. And I came to talk to somebody that says, but help those areas of my life where I'm struggling in my faith. Come here, I need some honest Christians in here today. I need some Christians that's a little honest that can say I'm struggling a little bit in my faith. I believe God, but I'm struggling a little bit because I don't understand why when I pray, God goes silent. [01:11:06] (45 seconds)
Your faith becomes non -existent when you begin to depend on yourself and not God. See, I'd rather have little faith than no faith. Because storms come and trials come. [01:14:41] (20 seconds)
God, you still love us. God, you still take care of us. God, my prayer is really simple this morning. God, would you restore our faith? That, God, if we lost it somewhere, give it back to us. That, God, we would stop trusting in our own wisdom and our own knowledge. And, God, just continue to rely on you. [01:26:02] (27 seconds)
I got enough faith to say thank you today for what you're going to do next week. I got enough faith to say thank you now for what you're going to do next month. I got enough faith to thank you in advance. I don't have to wait to get healed. I thank you now. I don't have to wait for the deliverance. I thank you now. [01:27:38] (18 seconds)
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