> Welcome back to our 5-part series exploring the broad themes drawn from the Psalms and how they resonate with the life of an ordinary Christian. Inspired by W. Robert Godfrey’s Learning to Love the Psalms, each post reflects on the central themes of the five books of the Psalms as they come alive through Rachel’s story—a woman navigating the challenges of growth, doubt, and trust in God.
In the first two installments, we saw Rachel learn to trust God’s care (Psalm 23) and commit herself to His Kingdom during a growing season of ministry (Psalm 46). Today, we enter a more difficult chapter of Rachel’s journey, one that reflects the honest and raw heart cries found in Book 3 of the Psalms. This section of the Psalms wrestles with deep questions of faith during times of seeming chaos, encapsulated by themes of crisis and lament. In Rachel’s story, we’ll see how she faces heartbreak, doubt, and a crisis of faith—and how the Psalms guide her through this dark valley.
✨ Discover FAQs of Faith Mobile App! ✨Looking for a convenient way to access all your favorite faith-based content? Introducing the FAQs of Faith mobile app, your go-to resource that combines insightful and inspiring content from Faith Answers Press LLC into one easy-to-use platform. Whether you’re seeking answers to faith questions, daily inspiration, or spiritual growth resources, our app has it all. 📲 Download now and start your journey! Click on FAQs of Faith
The Unexpected Shattering
For years, Rachel had poured herself into her Bible study ministry, “The Table,” watching God’s hand work in students’ lives. Outside of that, her personal life seemed to be on the right track as well: she became engaged to her boyfriend David, someone who shared her faith and supported her calling.
But one day, without warning, it all began to unravel. It started with her school announcing funding cuts, which meant Rachel had to halt “The Table” indefinitely. The grief of seeing her ministry unexpectedly end was compounded by another blow: David decided to break off their engagement, saying he felt uncertain about their future together.
Rachel’s world fell apart. Within just a few short weeks, she lost not only the ministry that had brought her so much joy and purpose but also the person she had envisioned spending her life with. She felt abandoned, heartbroken, and deeply shaken in her faith.
Her prayers became questions: Why, God? Did You even call me to this? Did I misunderstand Your leading? Why would You let everything I care about be taken away?
A Lament’s Cry
Rachel soon found herself drawn to the Psalms of lament—Psalms full of raw expressions of pain and questions directed at God. In particular, Psalm 77 echoed the cries of her heart:
“Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful?”
(Psalm 77:7–9, NIV)
The words articulated her deep feelings of despair and abandonment, reminding Rachel that even faithful believers like Asaph (the writer of Psalm 77) cried out to God in their confusion and grief. These Psalms gave Rachel permission to speak honestly with God about her pain, reminding her that lament was not only allowed but welcomed by God.
But Psalm 77 didn’t stop at lament—it turned Rachel’s gaze back to God’s past faithfulness:
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”
(Psalm 77:11–12, NIV)
Slowly, Rachel began to reflect on times God had been faithful before: how He had sustained her during her mother’s illness, how He had grown “The Table” into a ministry that touched lives, how He had lovingly guided her every step. Though she could not see His hand now, she clung to these memories as evidence that He was still present.
Wrestling in the Dark
Even with the reminders of God’s past faithfulness, Rachel still struggled to understand her circumstances. Every time she opened her Bible, she was reminded that Scripture is filled with stories of people—David, Job, Elijah—who wrestled with doubts and fears during dark times. Their stories didn’t always have easy answers, but they all pointed to the truth that God is faithful even when He feels far away.
One night, desperate for comfort, Rachel cried out in prayer, “God, I don’t feel You. I can’t see what You’re doing in this mess. But I’m choosing to trust that You’re still here.” The prayer felt hollow at first, but as Rachel spoke honestly with God day after day, she began to sense Him meeting her in her pain—not by removing it, but by quietly walking with her through it.
A Seed of Trust
Rachel began journaling her prayers, writing down her laments, her doubts, and the small glimpses of God’s goodness she noticed amid her pain. Psalm 77 became a frequent meditation, teaching her to both grieve the losses she had experienced and remind her soul of God’s steadfast love.
She reflected on the last verses of the Psalm, which recount God’s mighty works in leading Israel through the Red Sea:
“Your path led through the sea, your way through the mighty waters, though your footprints were not seen.”
(Psalm 77:19, NIV)
Rachel couldn’t see God’s “footprints” in her circumstances, but she trusted that He was leading her through the dark waters. That trust didn’t make her pain disappear, but it gave her the strength to keep going, one day at a time.
Hope Renewed
Months later, Rachel began to see glimmers of hope. A coworker invited her to join a church small group, where she found a community of believers who prayed for her and encouraged her through her struggles. This group encouraged Rachel to explore new opportunities for ministry, nudging her to trust that God still had plans for her.
Though her heartbreak over the loss of her engagement and “The Table” hadn’t completely healed, Rachel began to see that God was still working in her life, albeit in unexpected ways. She had learned to worship even in the dark, trusting in God’s unchanging character even when His promises felt distant.
Reflecting on God’s Promises
Rachel’s story reminds us that the crisis of faith many of us encounter is not the end of our spiritual journey—it is a crossroads that can lead us into deeper dependence on God. The Psalms of lament show us that it’s okay to cry out to God in our confusion and grief; they also show us the necessity of reminding ourselves of His faithfulness, even when we can’t see His hand at work.
Psalm 77 teaches us:
- It’s okay to ask honest questions of God during seasons of doubt.
- Recalling God’s past faithfulness strengthens our weary hearts.
- God is working even when His “footprints” are unseen.
Reflecting on Your Life
Are you walking through a season of doubt, where God’s promises feel distant? Take some time to meditate on Psalm 77 and ask these questions:
- Where have you seen God’s faithfulness in the past?
- How can you bring your honest questions and laments to God in prayer?
- What would it look like to trust God in the “dark waters,” even when His footprints are unseen?
A Prayer for Seasons of Doubt
Lord, in the moments when You feel distant, teach me to trust that You are still near. Help me to remember Your faithfulness in the past, and give me the strength to surrender my pain and questions to You. Lead me through this turbulent season with Your unseen hand. Amen.
In our next post, we’ll see how Rachel finds comfort in God’s faithfulness, even after the storm of her doubts. We’ll explore how the Psalms remind us of God’s sovereignty and enduring love in every season. Until then, may you find hope in His promises, even in the midst of your uncertainty.
Visit our companion site
Discover the Truth About Jesus Christ
Are you new to the Christian faith or seeking answers about Jesus? Visit JesusIsLordBlog.com for insightful articles, compelling reasons to believe, and a deeper understanding of what it means to follow Jesus as Lord and Savior. Start your journey today!
