5 Ways to Trust God When Life Doesn't Make Sense | Lessons from Downfall

Feeling lost or uncertain? Discover 5 practical ways to trust God when life feels confusing and overwhelming.

Welcome to the "10 Lessons from Downfall" series! Each of these articles dives into the key themes and life-changing lessons from the book Downfall, offering biblical insights and practical applications for everyday life. Whether you’ve read the book or are simply looking for guidance in navigating faith, trials, and growth, these lessons are here to encourage and challenge you. Let’s explore what this powerful story can teach us about trusting God through life’s ups and downs.

The Power of Persevering Faith: Trusting God Even When It Hurts

Life is full of moments where everything feels out of control. You’ve prayed, you’ve believed, and yet nothing seems to change. In Downfall, Joshua knows this feeling all too well. He loses his parents, watches his village fall apart, and sees his best friend turn into his worst enemy. Yet the story highlights something that many of us need to be reminded of: faith isn’t about having everything figured out—it’s about trusting God when you feel like you’re hanging on by a thread.

In Downfall, Joshua wrestles with his faith, wondering why God allows so much pain to happen. Haven’t we all been there? We feel like we’re trying our best to follow God’s will, but life just keeps throwing curveballs. But here’s the key lesson that Joshua learns: even when things are falling apart, God’s presence never leaves.

Faith Isn’t Easy, But It’s Worth It

Let’s be honest—persevering in faith is hard, especially when it feels like God isn’t showing up the way we want Him to. We pray for healing, but it doesn’t happen. We ask for direction, but we still feel lost. But just because we can’t see God working doesn’t mean He’s absent. We must trust in God’s promises—even in the waiting.

Hebrews 11:1 gives us this truth:

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”

Faith isn’t about being confident when everything is going well. It’s about holding onto hope when it seems like there’s no reason to. Joshua’s journey through loss and doubt shows us that faith is most powerful when life is at its hardest.

What Does Persevering Faith Look Like?

We see in Joshua’s story that perseverance doesn’t mean we won’t have questions or moments of doubt. In fact, doubt can be part of growing a deeper faith. In Downfall, Joshua questions why God is letting his life spiral out of control. He feels abandoned, yet deep down, he knows that giving up on God isn’t the answer. Here are some ways Downfall illustrates what persevering faith looks like:

1. Cling to God's Promises, Even When You Don’t Feel Them.

Joshua recites Bible verses and reminds himself of God’s truth, even when his emotions tell him otherwise. Scriptures like Psalm 23:4 (“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me”) serve as reminders that God’s presence is with us, even in the valley.

2. Be Honest About Your Doubts.

Joshua doesn’t pretend he’s okay when he’s not. Instead, he brings his raw questions and frustration to God. When we read the Psalms, we see David doing the same thing—crying out in confusion, anger, and pain. Psalm 13:1 says, “How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?” God can handle our doubts, and it’s through bringing them to Him that we allow space for Him to answer.

3. Surround Yourself with Community.

In the book, Joshua tries to isolate himself at times, but the village doesn’t give up on him. People like Don remind him that faith is not a solo journey. Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us, “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together … but encouraging one another.” Staying connected to others when you’re struggling is vital.

4. Remember That God’s Timing Isn’t Our Timing.

One of the most frustrating parts of faith is waiting. We want answers now. We want solutions now. But Joshua’s story reminds us that God’s timing is perfect, even when it’s different from what we expect. Isaiah 40:31 encourages us: “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Sometimes, perseverance means trusting that God is working, even when we can’t see it.

5. When God Feels Distant, He’s Actually Closest

There’s a powerful moment in Downfall where Joshua feels like God has completely abandoned him. He’s on the verge of giving up, and everything in him wants to stop believing. But just when he’s ready to quit, God shows up in an unexpected way. What Joshua didn’t realize was that God had been working behind the scenes the entire time. And isn’t that just like God?

In Deuteronomy 31:8, we’re reminded:

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

God’s promise to never leave us doesn’t expire just because life gets hard. In fact, He’s closest to us when we’re brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). Persevering faith is about trusting that truth, even when everything around us tells us to give up.

Moving Forward in Faith

Joshua’s journey in Downfall teaches us that faith isn’t about always feeling strong. It’s about continuing to trust God even when we’re weak, weary, and unsure. Life will have storms, and we’ll face times when we question if God is really there. But just like Joshua, we have to keep holding on.

• When you feel like God is silent, remember He is still working.

• When you want to give up, remind yourself of His promises.

• And when you feel distant from God, trust that He’s closer than you think.

In the end, persevering faith isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about trusting that God is good, even when life is not. And just like Joshua learns in Downfall, God will never stop fighting for you—even when you feel like you’re fighting alone.

Haven’t had a chance to read Downfall yet? This story of perseverance, faith, and redemption is filled with raw emotions, struggles, and victories that will resonate with your own walk of faith. You’ll find powerful lessons combined with epic action and complex characters. Grab a copy today and experience the journey for yourself!