Keep Believing: Trusting God Through Trials

Today, the focus is on the unwavering worthiness of God and the call to keep believing, no matter the circumstances. God is worthy of all glory, honor, and praise—not because of what He does, but because of who He is: Lord of Lords, King of Kings, the Great I Am, and our ever-present friend. In the midst of trials, when hope seems lost and God appears silent, it is not a sign of abandonment but a reminder that He is working behind the scenes. Faith is not the absence of struggle, but the persistence to trust God even when the load is heavy and the way forward is unclear.

Drawing from Mark 5:35-43, the story of Jairus and the woman with the issue of blood illustrates the power of persistent faith. Jairus, a respected leader, humbles himself before Jesus for the sake of his dying daughter, demonstrating that desperate faith often requires us to lay aside pride and position. The woman, after years of suffering and disappointment, pushes through the crowd just to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment, believing that even a small connection to Him can bring healing. Both stories remind us that faith sometimes means encouraging ourselves when no one else will, and that God responds to faith, not just proximity.

There is also a challenge to examine the company we keep. Jesus only allowed a select few—those with faith—to witness the miracle in Jairus’ house. Sometimes, the breakthrough is delayed because of the doubters and naysayers in our circle. It is necessary to surround ourselves with people who can pray, believe, and fast with us, especially when facing “dead” situations. When Jesus is in the room, there is always hope, healing, and the possibility of resurrection.

No matter how many times we have fallen or how impossible our dreams seem, God is still able to resurrect dead things and turn situations around. The invitation is open to believe again, to ask God to help our unbelief, and to trust that sooner or later, things will turn in our favor. Keep believing, for God has not forgotten, and His presence changes everything.

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Key Takeaways

• 1. God’s Silence Is Not His Absence In the darkest moments, when God seems silent and hope is fading, it is easy to feel abandoned. Yet, God’s silence often means He is working in ways we cannot see. Trusting Him in these seasons requires a deeper faith that is not dependent on immediate answers but on the assurance of His character and promises. His silence is a call to keep believing, knowing He is orchestrating something for our good. [78:13]
• 2. Faith Requires Self-Encouragement and Action Like the little engine that could, sometimes the only encouragement available is the one we give ourselves. Faith is not passive; it is active, speaking life into our own situations and pressing forward even when the load is heavy. The journey up the mountain is not about our strength, but about trusting that God is with us, empowering us to say, “I think I can,” until we can testify, “I knew I could.” [83:17]
• 3. Breakthrough Demands the Right Atmosphere and Relationships Jesus limited the people in Jairus’ house to those who truly believed, teaching that miracles often require an atmosphere of faith. The presence of doubters and cynics can hinder what God wants to do. It is vital to discern who is in our circle and to make room for those who will pray, believe, and stand with us, especially when facing impossible odds. [96:16]
• 4. Persistent Faith Connects Us to God’s Power The woman with the issue of blood did not need to touch Jesus Himself—just something connected to Him. Her persistent faith, after years of disappointment, brought immediate healing. Sometimes, all it takes is a determined reach for God, even when we feel weak or unworthy, to experience His transforming power in our lives. [90:21]
• 5. God Honors Honest Faith, Even When Mixed with Doubt When the father of the demon-possessed boy cried, “I believe, but help my unbelief,” Jesus responded with compassion and power. God is not intimidated by our doubts; He invites us to bring them to Him. Honest faith, even when imperfect, is enough for God to move—He meets us in our struggle and helps us believe for the impossible. [111:36]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [34:00] - Praise and Worship: Giving God Glory
• [37:56] - Honoring Christian Educators
• [39:23] - Introduction of Sister Irene Boykin
• [66:23] - Gratitude for Christian Education Leadership
• [75:44] - Setting the Stage: Mark 5 and the Need for Faith
• [78:13] - Keep Believing: Encouragement in Trials
• [83:17] - The Little Engine That Could: Self-Encouragement
• [86:29] - Jairus’ Faith and Jesus’ Response
• [90:21] - The Woman with the Issue of Blood: Persistent Faith
• [96:16] - The Power of the Right Circle
• [101:41] - Creating an Atmosphere for Miracles
• [106:40] - Speaking to Dead Situations
• [107:13] - The Call to Prayer and Faithful Community
• [108:19] - Invitation to Salvation and Rededication
• [111:36] - Honest Faith: “Help My Unbelief”
• [115:27] - Prayers for Dreams and Unmet Goals
• [122:18] - Final Blessing and Announcements
• [129:08] - Celebrations and Closing Remarks

Bible Reading

Mark 5:35-43 (ESV) — 35 While he was still speaking, there came from the ruler’s house some who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”
36 But overhearing what they said, Jesus said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not fear, only believe.”
37 And he allowed no one to follow him except Peter and James and John the brother of James.
38 They came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and Jesus saw a commotion, people weeping and wailing loudly.
39 And when he had entered, he said to them, “Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping.”
40 And they laughed at him. But he put them all outside and took the child’s father and mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was.
41 Taking her by the hand he said to her, “Talitha cumi,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”
42 And immediately the girl got up and began walking (for she was twelve years of age), and they were immediately overcome with amazement.
43 And he strictly charged them that no one should know this, and told them to give her something to eat.

Observation Questions

1. What did Jairus do when he first approached Jesus, and what does this show about his attitude? ([01:23:17])
2. How did the woman with the issue of blood demonstrate her faith, and what was the result? ([01:30:21])
3. Why did Jesus only allow certain people to go with him into Jairus’ house? ([01:36:16])
4. What was the reaction of the people in the house when Jesus said the girl was not dead but sleeping? ([01:41:41])

Interpretation Questions

1. Why might Jesus have told Jairus, “Do not fear, only believe,” right after hearing the news of his daughter’s death? What does this say about the relationship between fear and faith? ([01:26:29])
2. The woman with the issue of blood believed that just touching Jesus’ garment would heal her. What does this teach about the nature of faith and how God responds to it? ([01:30:21])
3. Jesus removed the doubters and only allowed people of faith in the room before performing the miracle. What does this suggest about the importance of our environment and the people we surround ourselves with during times of struggle? ([01:36:16])
4. The sermon mentioned that God’s silence is not the same as His absence. How does this idea challenge or encourage your understanding of God’s presence in difficult times? ([01:18:13])

Application Questions

1. The sermon talked about encouraging yourself like “the little engine that could.” When was the last time you had to encourage yourself to keep believing when things looked hopeless? What did you do or say to yourself? ([01:23:17])
2. Are there “doubters” or negative voices in your life that might be holding back your faith or breakthrough? What steps could you take to create a more faith-filled environment or circle? ([01:36:16])
3. The woman with the issue of blood pushed through the crowd despite her weakness and disappointment. Is there an area in your life where you need to “push through” discouragement or past disappointments to reach out to God again? ([01:30:21])
4. Have you ever felt like God was silent during a hard season? Looking back, can you see ways He might have been working behind the scenes? How can you remind yourself of His faithfulness when you feel alone? ([01:18:13])
5. Jesus honored honest faith, even when mixed with doubt (“I believe, but help my unbelief”). Is there a situation right now where you need to be honest with God about your doubts? What would it look like to bring those doubts to Him in prayer? ([01:51:36])
6. The sermon challenged us to “speak to dead situations” and believe for resurrection in areas that seem hopeless. Is there a dream, relationship, or goal in your life that feels “dead”? What is one practical step you can take this week to trust God for a turnaround? ([01:46:40])
7. The pastor said, “Keep believing, for God has not forgotten, and His presence changes everything.” What is one area of your life where you need to keep believing, even if you haven’t seen change yet? How can the group support you in prayer for this? ([01:55:27])