Finding Faith and Joy in Life's Valleys

Devotional

Day 1: Faith in the Valley: Trusting God Amid Suffering

When life’s circumstances feel overwhelming and hope seems lost, we are reminded that even the most faithful, like Habakkuk, experienced trembling, fear, and deep anxiety in the face of devastating realities. Habakkuk’s honest lament shows us that faith is not about denying our pain or pretending everything is okay, but about bringing our raw emotions before God. In the moments when our prayers seem unanswered and our future is uncertain, we are invited to stand in honesty, acknowledging our emptiness and vulnerability, yet still turning to God. Even when there are no visible signs of hope, faith means choosing to trust God’s character and presence, not the outcome of our circumstances. [50:29]

Habakkuk 3:16-18 (ESV)
I hear, and my body trembles;
my lips quiver at the sound;
rottenness enters into my bones;
my legs tremble beneath me.
Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble
to come upon people who invade us.
Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

Reflection: When you face a situation that feels hopeless or overwhelming, what would it look like for you to bring your honest emotions to God today, rather than hiding them or pretending they don’t exist?

Day 2: Joy Rooted in God, Not Circumstances

True joy is not found in the resolution of our problems or the fulfillment of our desires, but in the unchanging character and salvation of God. Habakkuk’s declaration, “yet I will rejoice in the Lord,” is a powerful reminder that joy is a choice rooted in who God is, not in what we see or feel. Even when every backup plan fails and every source of security is stripped away, we can choose to rejoice in the God of our salvation. This kind of joy is not a denial of pain, but a defiant hope that God’s goodness remains, even when our world is crumbling. [54:28]

Habakkuk 3:18-19 (ESV)
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
God, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places.

Reflection: In what area of your life do you need to shift your focus from your circumstances to the character of God, and how can you choose to rejoice in Him today?

Day 3: Suffering as a Pathway to Endurance and Growth

When we encounter trials and suffering, it is not a sign that God has abandoned us, but an opportunity for our faith to be tested and our endurance to grow. James teaches us to consider it “pure joy” when we face troubles, not because the pain is good, but because God uses these moments to shape us into people who are mature, complete, and deeply reliant on Him. With an eternal perspective, we can see that our present valleys are not the end of the story, but a place where God is at work, building something lasting within us. [01:00:07]

James 1:2-4 (ESV)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Reflection: Think of a current or recent trial—how might God be using this season to grow your endurance or deepen your faith, and what is one way you can cooperate with Him in that process today?

Day 4: God’s Presence in the Valley

God may not always rescue us from the hard things, but He promises His presence with us in the midst of them. Jesus’ assurance that He will be with us “always, even to the end of the age” is a source of comfort and strength when we feel alone or abandoned. In the valleys of grief, loss, or disappointment, God’s nearness is our hope, and His presence is our healing. We are invited to trust that even when the outcome is not what we hoped for, God is with us, sustaining us, and drawing us closer to Himself. [01:03:08]

Matthew 28:20b (ESV)
And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Reflection: Where in your life do you most need to experience God’s presence right now, and how can you intentionally invite Him into that space today?

Day 5: God Redeems Our Valleys for Good

Even when our plans are shattered and our hearts bear scars, God is able to work all things together for good for those who love Him. Our suffering is not wasted; God can bring newness, grace, and purpose out of our deepest valleys. Though the journey may be long and the climb slow, we can trust that God is in control, weaving our pain into a greater story of redemption. Our hope is not in perfect circumstances, but in a God who brings beauty from ashes and leads us to new heights. [01:05:33]

Romans 8:28 (ESV)
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Reflection: Looking back on a difficult season, can you identify any ways God has brought good or growth from your pain, and how might that encourage you to trust Him with your current or future valleys?

Sermon Summary

Life is full of moments when it feels like God is distant, especially when suffering and disappointment seem to have the final word. Looking at the story of Habakkuk, we see a man who prayed fervently for deliverance, only to realize that God’s answer would not come in his lifetime. Habakkuk’s honest reaction—trembling, fear, and even physical weakness—reminds us that faith does not mean the absence of pain or doubt. Instead, it means bringing our raw emotions before God, refusing to deny the reality of our circumstances, and still choosing to trust Him.

The expectation that faith in Jesus should shield us from suffering is a misunderstanding. Jesus Himself promised that in this world we would have trouble, but also that He would give us peace. The stories of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego inspire us, but many of us know what it’s like to be “bitten by lions” or “burned by the fire.” The real test of faith is not whether God rescues us from every hardship, but whether we can say, like Habakkuk, “Even though everything falls apart, yet I will rejoice in the Lord.”

Habakkuk’s “even though” faith is not denial; it’s a deep, honest acknowledgment of loss and emptiness, paired with a stubborn hope rooted in God’s character, not in circumstances. This is echoed in personal stories of loss and grief, like my own journey with my father’s battle with cancer. True joy and hope are not found in temporary deliverance, but in the promise of eternity with Jesus. Our ultimate joy is not in this life, but in the unshakeable hope of being with God forever.

Trusting God in the valley is not a one-time decision or a quick fix. It’s a process of wrestling, lamenting, and choosing to trust again and again. God does not promise to remove every hardship, but He does promise His presence and strength. As we walk through valleys, our faith is refined, and we come to know God more deeply. The challenge is to have a Habakkuk 3 kind of faith—raw, honest, and resolute—choosing to trust and rejoice in God, even when life does not go as we hoped.

Key Takeaways

1. Faith is not immunity from suffering, but the courage to face pain with honesty before God. Habakkuk’s trembling and fear show that even the most faithful can be overwhelmed by life’s valleys. God invites us to bring our real emotions to Him, not to hide behind a façade of strength or denial. [45:20]
2. The “even though” posture is a powerful act of faith. When everything that signified hope and security for Habakkuk was stripped away, he chose to rejoice in God’s character rather than his circumstances. This teaches us that faith is not rooted in what we see, but in who God is—unchanging, sovereign, and good. [52:49]
3. Our ultimate joy is anchored in eternity, not in present deliverance. Like my father, who found hope not in healing but in the promise of being with Jesus, we are reminded that the deepest joy comes from the assurance of salvation and the hope of heaven. This eternal perspective transforms how we endure trials and loss. [59:17]
4. Trusting God is a process that involves wrestling, lament, and surrender. Habakkuk’s journey was not a quick leap from despair to joy; it was a struggle that required honesty and waiting. True faith is not about feeling good in the moment, but about surrendering control and relying on God’s presence, even when answers don’t come. [61:13]
5. God’s promise is not always rescue, but always presence and strength. Even when deliverance is delayed or denied, God works all things for good and offers Himself as our strength in the valley. The testimony of faith in suffering becomes a witness to others, showing that hope in Jesus transcends circumstances. [65:33]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Reflecting on Jenny’s Story
[02:30] - When God Feels Distant
[04:10] - Struggling with Bible Stories of Rescue
[06:00] - The Question: Why Doesn’t God Rescue?
[08:00] - Jesus’ Teaching on Suffering
[10:00] - Misunderstandings About Faith and Pain
[12:00] - Habakkuk’s Honest Response to Suffering
[16:00] - The Collapse of Hope and Security
[19:00] - “Even Though” Faith in the Darkness
[22:00] - Choosing Joy in God, Not Circumstances
[25:00] - My Father’s Story: Hope Beyond Healing
[29:00] - Joy Rooted in Eternity
[32:00] - Wrestling, Lament, and Trust
[36:00] - God’s Presence in the Valley
[39:00] - The Challenge: Habakkuk 3 Faith and Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Habakkuk 3:16–19 (ESV) — 16 I hear, and my body trembles;
my lips quiver at the sound;
rottenness enters into my bones;
my legs tremble beneath me.
Yet I will quietly wait for the day of trouble
to come upon people who invade us.
17 Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19 GOD, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places.

John 16:33 (ESV) — I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

Romans 8:28 (ESV) — And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

Observation Questions

In Habakkuk 3:16, what physical and emotional reactions does Habakkuk describe as he faces the reality of suffering?
According to John 16:33, what does Jesus promise his followers about trouble and peace in this world?
In the sermon, what does the phrase “even though” represent in Habakkuk’s response to his circumstances?
What does Romans 8:28 say about God’s role in the midst of suffering and hardship?

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Habakkuk chooses to rejoice in God even when everything around him is falling apart? What does this reveal about the nature of faith?
The sermon mentions that faith is not immunity from suffering, but the courage to face pain honestly before God. How does this challenge common misunderstandings about what it means to follow Jesus?
How does the “even though” posture of faith differ from denial or pretending everything is okay?
The pastor shared a personal story about his father’s battle with cancer. How did his father’s perspective on hope and joy reflect the message of Habakkuk 3?

Application Questions

Think about a time when you felt like God was distant or your prayers were not answered the way you hoped. How did you respond emotionally and spiritually? Did you feel free to bring your real emotions to God, or did you try to hide them?
The sermon says, “Faith is not rooted in what we see, but in who God is—unchanging, sovereign, and good.” What is one area of your life right now where you need to trust God’s character more than your circumstances?
Habakkuk’s “even though” faith involved honest acknowledgment of loss and emptiness, paired with stubborn hope. Is there a loss or disappointment in your life that you need to bring honestly before God this week? What would it look like to do that?
The pastor shared how his father’s hope was not in healing, but in the promise of being with Jesus. How does having an eternal perspective change the way you view your current struggles or suffering?
Trusting God in the valley is described as a process of wrestling, lament, and surrender. What is one practical step you can take this week to wrestle honestly with God or to lament before Him, rather than pretending everything is okay?
The sermon says God’s promise is not always rescue, but always presence and strength. When have you experienced God’s presence or strength in a hard season, even if your circumstances didn’t change?
The testimony of faith in suffering can be a witness to others. Is there someone in your life who needs to see or hear about your “even though” faith? How might you share your story with them this week?

Sermon Clips

But what's inspiring is the first two words that he said. Even though. You see, this is where Habakkuk stands, not in denial, but in deep, painful honesty, that everything around him is beginning to crumble and fall apart. But he said, even though everything feels hopeless, even though it looks like there's nowhere left to turn, even though it looks like the road is running out, even though I am emotionally and physically exhausted. [00:52:11] (35 seconds) #EvenThoughIWillRejoice

Habakkuk shows us what it looks like to have faith in the darkness. What it looks like to trust Jesus, even though our circumstances are absolutely falling apart. He says this, yet, yet, yet, even though I'm feeling all of these things, even though I'm depleted, even though, yet, I will rejoice in the Lord. I will rejoice in the Lord. I will be joyful in the God of my salvation. The sovereign Lord is my strength. He makes me as sure -footed as a deer, able to go on new heights. [00:53:11] (42 seconds) #TrustInGodNotCircumstances

See, we trust Him not because of what we see. We trust Him because of who He is. Even though your circumstances are not good and there is no hope on the horizon. Because that's what Habakkuk is saying. His circumstances didn't change, but Habakkuk made a choice in the midst of his adversity. Even though his prayers weren't being answered the way that he wanted it all, he still made a choice. He chose to praise God. That's why he said, yes, I will rejoice in the Lord. He chose to rejoice not in his situation, but in the character and the nature of God. [00:54:10] (41 seconds) #HopeBeyondHealing

Because I think many of us, probably all of us, have had moments like Habakkuk. Where our prayers weren't answered. They're not going the way that we hope. And it's in these moments where everything feels uncertain and our faith is tested and refined. And like Habakkuk, we must choose to trust, choose joy, not in our circumstances, but in the unchanging goodness of God. [00:55:21] (26 seconds) #JoyInTheValley

You see, our eternal joy is not now. Now, can we see joy in this life? Absolutely. There is goodness and happiness that you can experience that from God that is good. But that's not our ultimate joy. Our ultimate joy comes when we are at the feet of Jesus with our hands raised high, singing, Holy, Holy, Holy. That should be our greatest hope. That should be our greatest joy. [00:59:34] (33 seconds) #WaitingWithFaith

Sometimes we have this misconception that trust means we feel good about our life now. That now our circumstances are good or now I am happy. That's not what trust is. Trust means we trust Jesus despite our feelings, despite our circumstances, because that's what faith is. It's surrendering total control. It's relying on a savior. [01:01:31] (30 seconds) #FaithDeepensInTheValley

See, when we wrestle and trust God, he promises that he will never leave us. See, it's easy to sing those songs and read scripture in the mountaintops. I mean, Craig Groeschel says it like this, though, but when we enter those valleys and we wrestle with God, that's when we get to know him. That's when our faith gets real, that the promises are true. [01:04:26] (24 seconds) #GospelStrengthInScars

God did not create evil in our life. But our God is so big and so powerful that he can make new in our lives. That you had a plan for your life. You had an idea of where you're going. But when we trust Jesus and he takes us up out of that valley, he can take us somewhere new. And guess what? As we go up, we may still have scars. There's things that we won't get healed until we can get to heaven. And it may not have been the plan that you wanted, but he can still give you goodness and grace and love. [01:05:53] (39 seconds) #ChooseRawFaith

That's the truth of the gospel, that he will give you the strength. And that's the moment that people look at you and say, I know your story. I know what you've been through. How are you still thriving? And you say, because my hope is not in my circumstance, it's in Jesus. [01:07:24] (15 seconds)

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