Your question points to a very real problem that I suspect we’ve all experienced in one way or another. It’s this: It’s easy to believe that God loves us and cares about us when things are going well, but when life turns against us, it becomes much harder to believe He cares.

Why should we keep trusting in God, even when nothing seems to change, and it looks like He isn’t even listening? One reason is because no matter how many changes have taken place in our lives, God has not changed. The Bible’s statement is true: “I the Lord do not change” (Malachi 3:6).

And if God doesn’t change, then that means His promises don’t change, either. He promised to be with you in the past — and He still is. He promised to guide you in the past — and He still will. Know His promises… study His promises… believe His promises… and trust His promises. In the Bible “he has given us his very great and precious promises” (2 Peter 1:4).

We live in difficult economic times, and we all need to pray for those who are struggling because they have lost their jobs. We also need to pray for our nation’s political and business leaders. But pray especially for your own family, that you won’t get discouraged but will be open to whatever God has for you right now (even job retraining or volunteer work). Don’t let your faith be overcome by your circumstances, but let your circumstances be overcome by your faith.