From Trials to Triumph: Trusting God Through Pain
Summary
Life is a journey filled with both mountaintops and valleys, and every believer will face seasons of hardship, uncertainty, and pain. The story of Habakkuk is a powerful reminder that God is present in every season, whether we are celebrating victories or struggling through trials. Habakkuk, a spiritual leader in a time of deep injustice and corruption, models for us how to move from worry to worship, even when circumstances seem to be getting worse rather than better. He is honest with God about his frustrations and fears, but he also chooses to wait on the Lord and ultimately to worship Him, regardless of the outcome.
Trusting God in the trial is not about pretending everything is fine or muscling through on our own strength. Instead, it’s about turning to God in prayer, processing our pain and confusion with Him, and allowing His Spirit to guide us. Prayer is not just a religious exercise; it’s a way to align our thoughts and feelings with God’s truth, to seek His guidance, and to experience His peace even when the future is uncertain. When we pray, we invite God into our struggles and open ourselves to His direction and comfort.
Remembering God’s power is essential when we face problems that seem insurmountable. Habakkuk recalls the mighty acts of God in history—the plagues in Egypt, the parting of the sea, the shaking of nations—and reminds himself (and us) that God is sovereign over all things. God’s power is not limited to the past; He is still able to redeem, restore, and bring good out of even the most difficult situations. Sometimes, what looks like defeat or disaster is actually part of God’s greater plan to save and transform.
Finally, giving God praise in the midst of pain is a radical act of faith. We don’t praise God for the pain itself, but we praise Him in the pain, trusting that He is with us and that His promises are true. Praise shifts our focus from our problems to God’s presence and power. It breaks down walls of isolation, fear, and despair, and invites God to work in ways we could never accomplish on our own. Whether we are on the mountaintop or in the valley, God is our strength, and He will lead us to higher ground as we trust and worship Him.
Key Takeaways
- Prayer is the first and most vital response in times of trial. Turning to God in honest prayer helps us process our emotions, align our thoughts with His truth, and receive guidance from the Holy Spirit. It’s not about having the right words, but about bringing our real selves before God and letting Him shape our perspective and decisions. [10:44]
- Remembering God’s power in our problems reframes our perspective. When we recall how God has acted in history—delivering, redeeming, and displaying His might—we are reminded that our current challenges are not beyond His ability. This practice builds faith and courage, especially when the future looks bleak or uncertain. [23:18]
- God’s sovereignty means He can use even the worst situations for good. Often, what we see as setbacks or suffering are actually setups for God’s greater purposes. Looking back, we can often see how God used trials to shape us, bless others, or advance His kingdom in ways we never expected. [25:01]
- Giving God praise in our pain is a powerful spiritual discipline. Praise is not denial of hardship, but a declaration of trust in God’s character and promises. When we choose to worship in the valley, we invite God’s presence and power to break through our circumstances and bring hope and healing. [30:51]
- Spiritual leadership, especially for men, involves modeling trust and worship in the midst of trials. When fathers and husbands openly seek God, remember His faithfulness, and praise Him even in difficulty, they set a powerful example for their families and communities. This kind of authentic faith strengthens not only the individual but everyone around them. [40:02]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:52] - Trusting God in Trials
[04:02] - Life’s Journey: Mountains and Valleys
[05:42] - Habakkuk’s Honest Struggle
[07:01] - Waiting on God When Things Get Worse
[08:35] - From Worry to Worship
[09:46] - Framing Trouble with a Christian Worldview
[10:44] - The Power of Prayer in Trials
[14:03] - “Getting Shiggy With It”: Prayer and Praise
[16:40] - Prayer for Guidance and Peace
[19:19] - Trusting God’s Provision in Parenting
[21:47] - Remembering God’s Power in History
[23:18] - God’s Sovereignty Over Nations
[25:01] - God’s Purposes in Suffering
[30:51] - Giving God Praise in Pain
[38:14] - Choosing to Get Better, Not Bitter
[40:02] - The Power of Spiritual Leadership
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Trusting God in the Valleys and Mountaintops (Habakkuk 3)
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### Bible Reading
- Habakkuk 3 (main text for the sermon)
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### Observation Questions
1. In Habakkuk 3, what is Habakkuk’s emotional state as he prays to God? What words or phrases show his honesty about his fears and frustrations? ([12:06])
2. What specific acts of God’s power from Israel’s history does Habakkuk remember and mention in his prayer? ([21:47])
3. According to the sermon, what is the difference between praising God “for” pain and praising God “in” pain? ([30:51])
4. How does Habakkuk describe his decision to rejoice and trust God even when his circumstances do not improve? ([17:58])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Habakkuk choose to wait on God and worship, even after God tells him things will get worse before they get better? What does this reveal about his faith? ([07:01])
2. The sermon says that remembering God’s power “reframes our perspective.” How does looking back at God’s past faithfulness help someone face current problems? ([23:18])
3. The pastor mentions that prayer is not just a religious exercise, but a way to process pain and align with God’s truth. How might this change the way someone approaches prayer during a hard season? ([10:44])
4. The sermon highlights spiritual leadership, especially for men, as modeling trust and worship in trials. Why might this be especially impactful for families and communities? ([40:02])
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### Application Questions
1. When you face a difficult situation, what is usually your first response—prayer, venting to others, or something else? How could you make prayer your first response more often? ([10:44])
2. Think of a time when you remembered how God helped you in the past. How did that memory affect your attitude or actions in your current struggle? Is there a specific story from your life you can share? ([23:18])
3. The sermon says, “We don’t praise God for the pain itself, but we praise Him in the pain.” What would it look like for you to praise God in the middle of a current hardship? ([30:51])
4. Are there any “walls” you’ve built up—like isolation, fear, or despair—because of pain or disappointment? What would it look like to invite God into those places through praise or prayer? ([30:51])
5. The pastor shared that spiritual leadership means being honest with God and choosing to worship even when things are hard. If you are a parent, spouse, or leader, how could you model this kind of faith to those around you this week? ([40:02])
6. Habakkuk moved from worry to worship by being honest with God, waiting on Him, and choosing to praise. Which of these steps is hardest for you right now, and why?
7. The sermon mentioned that sometimes what looks like defeat is actually part of God’s greater plan. Is there a situation in your life that you now see differently in hindsight? How might God be working in your current challenges, even if you can’t see it yet? ([25:01])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray honestly about their current valleys and ask God to help them remember His power, trust His plan, and worship Him in every season.
Devotional
Day 1: Trusting God in the Trial
Trusting God is essential in every season, especially when life feels overwhelming, uncertain, or painful. Whether you are in the midst of a trial, just coming out of one, or about to enter one, the Christian life is not about pretending or performing but about placing your faith in the Lord no matter what. You don’t have to muscle your way through or fake it till you make it; instead, you are invited to bring your honest struggles, questions, and pain to God, knowing He is with you in both the valleys and the mountaintops. The journey of faith is filled with ups and downs, but God’s presence remains constant, and He calls you to trust Him through it all. [01:52]
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (ESV)
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.
God, the Lord, is my strength; he makes my feet like the deer’s;
he makes me tread on my high places.
Reflection: What is one area of your life right now where you are struggling to trust God? What would it look like to surrender that area to Him today, even if you don’t see a solution yet?
Day 2: Turning Worry into Prayer
When worry and anxiety threaten to overwhelm you, the first and most powerful response is to turn to God in prayer. Prayer is not just a religious exercise; it is a way to process your feelings, align your thoughts with God’s truth, and invite the Holy Spirit to guide your decisions. Instead of venting to others or turning to temporary fixes, bring your concerns directly to God. As you pray, you declare your trust in Him, and He brings peace, clarity, and direction—even when circumstances don’t immediately change. Prayer is the pathway from worry to worship, and it is how you experience God’s presence and peace in the midst of trouble. [10:44]
Habakkuk 3:1-2 (ESV)
A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet, according to Shigionoth.
O Lord, I have heard the report of you, and your work, O Lord, do I fear.
In the midst of the years revive it; in the midst of the years make it known;
in wrath remember mercy.
Reflection: When you feel anxious or overwhelmed today, will you pause and pray—honestly telling God what’s on your heart and asking Him for His peace and guidance?
Day 3: Remembering God’s Power in Your Problems
In the face of overwhelming problems, it is vital to remember the mighty power of God. Habakkuk looked back on God’s acts in history—how He delivered Israel from Egypt, parted the seas, and shook the nations—to remind himself that God is sovereign and able to do the impossible. When you recall God’s faithfulness in the past, it strengthens your faith for the present and the future. No matter how big your problem seems, God’s power is greater, and He is able to redeem, restore, and bring good even out of the hardest situations. [23:18]
Habakkuk 3:3-7 (ESV)
God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah
His splendor covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.
His brightness was like the light; rays flashed from his hand;
and there he veiled his power.
Before him went pestilence, and plague followed at his heels.
He stood and measured the earth; he looked and shook the nations;
then the eternal mountains were scattered; the everlasting hills sank low.
His were the everlasting ways.
I saw the tents of Cushan in affliction; the curtains of the land of Midian did tremble.
Reflection: Think back to a time when God showed His power in your life or in the life of someone you know. How can remembering that today give you courage to face your current challenges?
Day 4: Giving God Praise in Your Pain
Praising God in the midst of pain is one of the most powerful things you can do. It’s not about thanking God for the pain itself, but about choosing to rejoice in who He is, even when circumstances are hard. When you praise God in your pain, you shift your focus from your problems to His promises, and you invite His presence and power into your situation. Praise breaks down walls, brings freedom, and reminds you that God is bigger than your suffering. Even when you feel weak, isolated, or defeated, lifting your voice in praise is an act of faith that can change your perspective and your heart. [30:51]
Psalm 34:1-3 (ESV)
I will bless the Lord at all times;
his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
My soul makes its boast in the Lord;
let the humble hear and be glad.
Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
and let us exalt his name together!
Reflection: What is one specific way you can choose to praise God today, even if you are hurting or discouraged? Will you sing, pray, or speak out loud a truth about who He is?
Day 5: Relying on God’s Strength, Not Your Own
True strength in the Christian life comes from relying on God, not on your own abilities or efforts. When you face trials, the temptation is to give up, isolate, or try to fix things in your own strength. But God invites you to lean on Him, to let Him be your strength, and to trust that He will lead you to higher places—even when the climb is hard. As you rely on the Lord, you become a blessing to those around you, and your faith becomes a testimony to your family, friends, and community. Let God’s strength carry you through, and let your life point others to His faithfulness. [39:06]
Isaiah 40:29-31 (ESV)
He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint.
Reflection: Where are you tempted to rely on your own strength instead of God’s? How can you intentionally depend on Him today and let His strength be made perfect in your weakness?
Quotes
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