If God wants us to trust Him, why does He allow events that make people lose faith?

I. Understanding the Nature of Faith

Faith rests on confidence in what is not always seen (Hebrews 11:1). Throughout Scripture, individuals are commended for trusting God despite difficult circumstances. Abraham left his homeland when he did not know his destination (Genesis 12:1-4), and Job clung to hope even when all seemed lost (Job 13:15). Challenges to faith are not anomalies; they frequently accompany a call to recognize a reality beyond current hardships.

Scripture presents faith as a vital aspect of our relationship with God: “But without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). Yet it also shows that faith is tested (James 1:2–3). God never promises a life free from events that might threaten to erode trust; instead, He cultivates perseverance through trials, molding faith that endures.

II. The Existence of Trials and Suffering

From the earliest biblical narratives, suffering and hardship appear alongside examples of unwavering devotion. The Book of Job illustrates how suffering can refine faith. Job lost family, health, and possessions, yet he ultimately discovered a deeper reverence for God’s sovereignty (Job 42:1–6). Trials, according to these accounts, serve a refining purpose.

New Testament writings build on this concept. The Apostle Peter writes, “Though now you have had to suffer grief in various trials so that the proven genuineness of your faith ... may result in praise, glory, and honor” (1 Peter 1:6–7). These words shed light on why events arise that seem capable of undermining faith. Rather than seeing them solely as destructive, Scripture frames them as a crucible through which trust in God is purified.

III. Human Free Will and Its Consequences

The freedom God grants humanity can lead to actions that adversely affect others. In Genesis, Adam and Eve exercise this freedom, and their choice brings widespread consequences (Genesis 3:16–19). Throughout history, human wrongdoing has been linked to suffering. The fact that our choices have repercussions on one another does not negate God’s desire for our trust; rather, it underscores the reality of a moral universe.

Human decisions frequently cause pain that might tempt some to question God’s goodness. Yet Scripture portrays God as working through even the darkest human decisions to accomplish ultimate good (Genesis 50:20; Romans 8:28). As an example, the crucifixion of Jesus—ultimately a result of human betrayal—served as the central means of humanity’s redemption (Acts 2:22–24). The presence of free will indicates God’s wish for genuine relationship rather than forced compliance, and it also explains why certain events can test faith so fiercely.

IV. God’s Sovereignty and Eternal Perspective

Divine sovereignty remains a consistent biblical theme, but that does not eliminate earthly trials. Isaiah records the Lord’s declaration, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways” (Isaiah 55:8). The finite human mind may struggle to see the broader tapestry of purpose woven through adversity.

From an eternal vantage point, tribulations can serve redemptive ends in ways beyond our immediate comprehension. In Romans, we learn “our present sufferings are not comparable to the glory that will be revealed” (Romans 8:18). Rather than treating hardships as meaningless, Scripture teaches that God may use them to deepen reliance on Him, encourage empathy toward others, and bring about spiritual maturity (2 Corinthians 1:3–4).

V. Moral and Natural Evil

Scripture differentiates between moral evil—human practices such as injustice or cruelty—and natural evil, which includes disasters like earthquakes or disease. Both types of evil can spark doubt. Yet passages in both Old and New Testaments show that even in these calamities, people can encounter God’s sustaining presence. Psalm 46:1 proclaims, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.” This statement highlights that God remains near in the midst of tragedy, providing comfort and offering the hope of ultimate rescue.

The Gospels confirm this as Jesus frequently intervenes in human suffering—by healing, consoling, and ultimately breaking the power of sin and death through the resurrection. This does not remove every instance of affliction now, but it assures that, in the end, God’s triumph wipes every tear (Revelation 21:4).

VI. Biblical Accounts of Perseverance Through Testing

Repeatedly, Scripture depicts historical figures who endured extreme tests yet emerged with strengthened faith:

• Joseph in Egypt (Genesis 37–50): Betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery, then falsely imprisoned, Joseph chose to remain faithful. Even as a foreign captive in Egypt, Joseph came to see God’s good purpose behind his trials, telling his brothers, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good” (Genesis 50:20).

• Daniel in Babylon (Daniel 1–6): Taken as a captive under hostile rulers, Daniel consistently trusted God even when it might cost him his life. His experiences, including the lions’ den, highlight faith resulting in God’s protection and the testimony that “He is the living God and He endures forever” (Daniel 6:26).

• The Early Church (Book of Acts): Believers faced persecution, imprisonment, and sometimes martyrdom. Yet through these trials, the church expanded, and the disciples spoke with boldness. The trials they endured became a foundation for the Christian witness worldwide.

VII. The Role of Testing in Spiritual Growth

Trials can facilitate spiritual formation and maturity. James teaches, “Consider it pure joy … whenever you face trials … because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance” (James 1:2–3). In a broken world, the refining of faith occurs partly as we navigate troubles.

Furthermore, adversity can illuminate the sufficiency of God’s grace: “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paradoxically, weakness can become the platform for experiencing divine strength. God allows hardships not to push people away, but often to pull them into deeper dependence upon Him.

VIII. Verified Reliability of God’s Promise

Efforts in archaeology and manuscript studies have consistently supported the historical reliability of the Bible. Discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls, which contain large portions of the Hebrew Scriptures dating back centuries before Christ, affirm that the text we read today aligns closely with ancient manuscripts. These findings give credence to the consistent biblical witness that God’s words faithfully represent reality.

Confirmations of names, places, and events—from the Hittite civilization, once doubted but now thoroughly documented by archaeology, to the existence of Pontius Pilate’s inscription—add external support. Such evidence helps to show that the narratives and promises in Scripture stand upon solid foundations. When Scripture promises God’s faithfulness, it does so in a context that has proven reliable over repeated scrutiny.

IX. Looking to Christ’s Suffering and Resurrection

Central to the Christian faith is the example of Jesus. Scripture presents Him as enduring profound agony—from Gethsemane (Luke 22:44) to the cross—while remaining perfectly obedient to the Father’s will (Philippians 2:8). Jesus’s submission to suffering was not a sign of divine abandonment but part of the redemptive plan. The resurrection then confirms victory over death (Luke 24:5–7), offering the ultimate reason to trust God’s power and love.

The resurrection is historically well-attested, with multiple lines of evidence (1 Corinthians 15:3–8) demonstrating that the church’s explosive growth occurred in direct response to eyewitnesses who believed Christ had risen. If God can bring life from death itself, believers trust He can bring redemption and meaning within events that might otherwise threaten faith.

X. Purpose Beyond Hardship

From a scriptural standpoint, every event is woven into a broader purpose: “We know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28). This promise includes the possibility that trials may eventually bring individuals to a deeper experience of God. What feels overwhelming in the present can become a source of hope and testimony in the future.

The prophet Elijah, weary and discouraged, felt alone in his faith (1 Kings 19:1–4). Yet God revealed that there were still seven thousand in Israel who had not bowed to idols (1 Kings 19:18). As in Elijah’s situation, apparent isolation or defeat can be transformed into a renewed understanding of God’s presence and plan.

XI. Conclusion: A Call to Trust

The biblical record consistently presents a God who is trustworthy, even when circumstances challenge that trust. Loss of faith can arise through personal hardship, global crises, or painful experiences. Yet Scripture addresses these struggles by showing that God’s purposes transcend immediate comprehension.

Trust is not the absence of questions or difficulties; rather, it is resting in God’s character as revealed in His Word and verified through history, prophecy, archaeology, and lives transformed by His grace. In the midst of uncertainty, believers hold onto the promise, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). This assurance extends through all trials, anchoring hearts in steadfast faith.