Do you ever feel that life isn’t fair? Have you ever wondered why God would allow you to experience a heart-wrenching trial after you’ve given Him your best? Do you ever feel God isn’t playing by the rules?

People don’t talk about this very often because it seems to be taboo to admit your faith has been shaken. Those who find their beliefs on shaky ground often suffer in silence, feeling isolated and alone, trying their hardest to give the impression all is well.

If you can relate to this, you may find a bit of relief in knowing you are not the only one who has ever felt this way. You also may find relief by reminding yourself of some truths that may have gotten lost in the turmoil of your trial.

First of all, God has not, and never will, abandon you. If you are a Christian, there is nothing you could ever do, and no problem you could ever face, that would cause Him to abandon you. Your feelings may be telling you otherwise, but your feelings are not reliable. Feelings are subject to change. God isn’t. He will never, ever abandon you. I encourage you to read Psalm 139:7-16.

In addition, before your trial came to you, it first had to meet with God’s approval. The things God approves for your life are always for your benefit, even if they don’t seem like it at first. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not calamity to give you a future and a hope.’”

Your trial has a beginning, middle and end. Don’t get stuck in tunnel vision, feeling as though things will never get better. Psalm 34:17 says, “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles.” In verse 19 of the same chapter, it reads, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” 

When we are in a fiery trial, our thoughts are easily consumed with every aspect of the problem. In addition, our minds may come up with one “what if” after another, resulting in anxiety and stress. If we stay on this course, we’ll sink deeper into despair and hopelessness.

The best way to prevent this is by taking control of our thoughts at the trial’s onset. But even if we’ve already become mired in self-defeating, anxious thoughts, it’s never too late to take control of our thinking, as it says in Isaiah 26:3:“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.”

You can’t think about two things at once, so the moment you catch yourself having despairing thoughts, quickly begin to recite -- and thank God for -- all of the blessings in your life. Gratitude is a strong antidote to anxious thoughts. 

Meditate on the trials God brought you through in the past. If He did it before, He’ll do it again. You may feel that your prayers are bouncing off of the ceiling, but that just isn’t true. Your prayers are treasured in Heaven. Revelation 8:3 reads, “And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints (Christians) upon the golden altar which was before the throne.”

You will laugh again. You will have joy again. You will soar with the eagles again.

There is light at the end of the tunnel.