There are moments in life when faith feels weak; like it’s not enough. The very thing we’ve leaned on, prayed through, and held close, suddenly feels distant. You know it in your heart that God is faithful. You’ve seen Him show up before. Yet somehow, in the middle of today’s struggle, that truth feels harder to hold onto. Somehow, your faith feels weak.
Your prayers seem to bounce off the ceiling or not even reach the ceiling. Maybe, the answers you hoped for haven’t come, especially when we needed them to. And we all have those prayers that are “time sensitive”, or is it just me? Or you’re simply tired and worn down by waiting, worrying, or wondering if your faith is still enough to carry you through.
If that’s where you are right now, take a deep breath. You’re not alone. I’ve been there a few times more than I would like to admit.
When Faith Feels Weak Remember: Faith Isn’t a Feeling
It’s easy to think of faith as something we should feel; a steady sense of peace or confidence that God has it all handled. But the truth is, faith isn’t always emotional. Sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes it’s shaky. And sometimes it looks more like a whisper than a shout, a purr instead of a roar.
Faith isn’t about how strong we feel; it’s about trusting God even when we don’t feel strong at all. It’s choosing to believe even when emotions don’t cooperate.
There’s grace in that. God never asked for perfection; He asked for trust.
The Weight of Life Can Be Heavy
There are seasons when the weight of everything feels heavier than usual. Bills, family challenges, health concerns, or loss, they add up, and suddenly the joy that once came easily feels out of reach.
I’ll never forget the moment my husband and I learned we were expecting another baby. We were so excited to give our son a sibling and grow our family. Then came the day we went to the doctor for a routine check-up and during that visit we would find out if we were having a girl or another boy.
Excitement filled the room so much that I barely noticed the cold ultrasound gel as it touched my tummy. The technician moved the wand gently, and everything looked normal. We even laughed when our baby let out a tiny yawn on the screen. Finally, the words we were waiting to hear, “You’re having a…..Girl!” I remember thanking God for answered prayer in that moment, since we were both hoping to have a pair.
A Weight…
As the doctor made his way down the length of our baby girl, I noticed the expression on his face changed and the room got extremely quiet. No one was saying anything, so I broke the silence and asked what was wrong. Finally, after what seemed like forever, he spoke and told us that her legs seemed a bit ‘short’, and he didn’t know what to make of it. Long story short, our daughter would later be diagnosed with Brittle Bone Disease which causes fragile bones throughout life. So, you can already tell I have alot of stories when my faith didn’t feel like enough.
One of the most joyful moments of our lives suddenly turned into one of the scariest. Just moments earlier, I had thanked God and felt overwhelmed with excitement. In an instant, the atmosphere shifted from joy to dread and worry. My faith was on the floor. Why us? Why her? What do you do when your faith feels weak?
When life feels like that, even strong believers can question whether their faith is “enough.”
But faith isn’t a test you pass; it’s a relationship you nurture. There are ebbs and flows, just like in any relationship. Some days you feel God’s presence so closely it takes your breath away. Other days, it feels like silence.
Yet even in the silence, He’s still there, working in unseen ways, preparing your heart, strengthening your roots.
When Faith Feels Weak You Have: Permission to Be Honest
Sometimes, the most faith-filled thing you can do is be honest with God.
Tell Him you’re tired. You’re scared. Tell Him that you’re trying to believe and trying to stay strong, but you need His help to bridge the gap between your hope and your reality.
God doesn’t shy away from your honesty. The Psalms are full of people crying out, questioning, even lamenting. In Psalm 18:6 David laments “In my distress I cried to my God for help”. Yet their honesty always drew them closer to Him, not further away. David was so confident in God’s willingness and ability to help that he wrote in Psalm 55:17 “Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice.”
You don’t have to pretend to have it all together in prayer. God already sees and knows. He would rather have your raw truth than your polished words.
When Faith Feels Weak: Find the Strength to Surrender
Sometimes the hardest part of faith is letting go of control; surrendering the outcome, the timeline, and the plan you thought would unfold. But surrender isn’t giving up; it’s handing over the pieces so God can rebuild them stronger than before.
When you reach that point where your strength runs out and when faith feels weak, remember, where His begins. Scripture doesn’t say, “When you’re strong, then you can stand.” It says, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9
The Surrender…
When I was struggling with my faith in those months leading up to my daughter’s birth, one day I asked God to give me a word. I said “God tell me how to feel, what to pray. Renew my faith”. And yes, I literally told Him that I was too tired to search far; too distraught to try. And that I wanted to just open my Bible and immediately see a word for me. It was a long shot, but I was desperate.
I opened my Bible, and it opened to the story of Jairus’ daughter in Mark 5:21-43. I didn’t even get to verse 43 because when I reached verse 36, there were the words “Don’t be afraid, just believe”. That was my word. Up until that point fear and anxiety was controlling my every thought and action. But I believed that God was telling me in that moment that everything was going to be okay. He was telling me to surrender.
There’s beauty in that; a quiet strength that comes from knowing you don’t have to carry it all.
Faith That Feels Small Is Still Faith
You may not feel bold or confident right now. You may not have words that sound “faith-filled.” But even a flicker of belief is still faith.
In Matthew 17:20 Jesus says, “If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move.” Even the smallest seed of faith, He says, can move mountains. And sometimes, that tiny seed is all we have to give when faith feels weak.
Faith is not the absence of doubt; it’s choosing to trust in spite of it. It’s waking up, praying again, showing up, and whispering, “I still believe You’re good.”
God honors that kind of faith. The kind that keeps showing up even in the darkest, weakest moments.
Small Anchors That Help You Stay Steady
When faith feels weak, the smallest anchors can keep you from drifting too far.
Here are a few gentle ways to steady yourself:
- Start your day with stillness.
Before reaching for your phone or diving into tasks, sit in quiet. Breathe. Whisper a simple prayer like, “God, remind me You’re near.” - Write down small glimpses of grace.
Keep a gratitude journal. Even if all you can write is “I made it through today,” that’s enough. - Lean on your community.
Faith grows stronger in connection. Reach out to a trusted friend, a pastor, or someone who understands the struggle. - Let worship lead your heart.
On days when words fail, let music carry what your heart can’t say. - Revisit God’s faithfulness.
Look back on the times He showed up before, even in small ways. It’s often in reflection that we see His hand most clearly.
Final Sip: God Is Closer Than You Think When Faith Feels Weak
If faith feels like it’s slipping through your fingers and when faith feels weak, remember that God hasn’t left you. In truth, He promises never to leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). He’s still walking with you through every uncertain moment. He’s still listening to the prayers you can’t find words for. And He’s still working, quietly, patiently, in ways you may not see yet.
So, hold on even if your hold feels weak. Because sometimes, it’s not about having enough faith. It’s about knowing that God is enough, even when you aren’t sure you are. God shows himself strongest, most especially when your faith feels weak!