Can You Still Trust God?: A Guide to Unwavering Faith
In a world filled with uncertainty, pain, and suffering, the question “Can you still trust God?” echoes in the hearts of many believers. This profound inquiry forms the core of Dr. Charles F. Stanley’s compelling book “Can You Still Trust God? What Happens When You Choose to Believe.” A pastor, author, and founder of In Touch Ministries, Stanley addresses the universal struggle of trusting God during life’s most difficult trials.
This isn’t just a book for those in crisis; it’s a foundational text for anyone seeking to fortify their faith, understand God’s character more intimately, and navigate life’s inevitable storms with grace and resilience. Join us as we embark on a comprehensive summary and review of this transformative work, exploring all 20 chapters spread across its five insightful parts, and uncovering the enduring message Dr. Stanley so powerfully conveys.
Why This Book Matters: A Modern Crisis of Faith
In an increasingly complex and often chaotic world, the foundations of faith are frequently tested. News cycles deliver constant streams of suffering, personal lives are punctuated by setbacks, and societal shifts challenge long-held beliefs. It’s easy for doubt to creep in, for cynicism to take root, and for the very idea of a benevolent God to feel distant or even irrelevant.
Can You Still Trust God? addresses this modern crisis head-on. Stanley doesn’t shy away from the difficult questions. Instead, he confronts them with biblical truth, personal anecdotes, and a profound understanding of the human condition. The book serves as a vital anchor for those feeling adrift, a gentle hand for those hurting, and a powerful reminder that even in the darkest valleys, God remains trustworthy.
A Journey Through Trust
Stanley meticulously structures his argument, leading readers step-by-step through the process of building and maintaining trust in God. The book is divided into five distinct parts, each building upon the last, offering a holistic perspective on faith, doubt, and divine sovereignty.
Part 1: Why We Question God
The initial section of the book lays the groundwork by exploring the common reasons why individuals begin to doubt or question God’s character and intentions. Stanley acknowledges the validity of these struggles, creating a safe space for readers to confront their own uncertainties.
Chapter 1: When Trust Is Tested
Stanley opens by recognizing that faith is not a static state but a dynamic journey, often challenged by life’s trials. He emphasizes that questioning God in difficult times is a natural human response, but it also presents an opportunity for deeper growth and understanding. The core message is that tests of trust are inevitable, but how we respond determines the trajectory of our faith.
Chapter 2: The Pain of Unanswered Prayer
This chapter delves into one of the most common sources of doubt: prayers that seem to go unheard or unanswered. Stanley gently unpacks the complexities of prayer, suggesting that “unanswered” doesn’t necessarily mean “unheard” by God. He introduces the idea of God’s perfect timing and His ultimate purposes, which may transcend our immediate desires.
Chapter 3: When Life Doesn’t Make Sense
Here, Stanley addresses the bewilderment that arises when life’s circumstances defy logic or fairness. He acknowledges the difficulty of reconciling a good God with suffering and injustice. The author encourages readers to lean into God’s sovereignty even when His ways are beyond human comprehension, reminding us that His plan is often greater than our ability to grasp it.
Chapter 4: The Deceptions of the Enemy
Stanley shifts focus to an often-overlooked factor: the spiritual battle. He identifies Satan as the ultimate deceiver, actively working to sow seeds of doubt and distrust in our minds. This chapter serves as a crucial reminder that some of our struggles with trust are not merely internal but are instigated by an external spiritual adversary.
Part 2: Understanding the God You Can Trust
Having addressed the sources of doubt, Stanley moves into the essential task of painting a clearer, more accurate picture of God’s character. This section is foundational, as genuine trust hinges on a proper understanding of the one in whom we are placing our faith.
Chapter 5: The Immutable God
This chapter is a cornerstone, highlighting God’s unchanging nature. Stanley emphasizes that God’s character, His promises, and His love are constant, regardless of our fluctuating circumstances or feelings. This immutability provides a stable anchor in a world of constant change and uncertainty.
Chapter 6: The All-Knowing God
Stanley explores God’s omniscience, His perfect and complete knowledge of everything – past, present, and future. This understanding brings comfort, knowing that God is never surprised or caught off guard by our trials. He knows our needs before we even articulate them.
Chapter 7: The All-Powerful God
Here, the author expounds on God’s omnipotence, His absolute power and ability to accomplish anything He desires. This attribute assures us that God is capable of intervening, delivering, and working all things for our good, even when situations seem humanly impossible.
Chapter 8: The Good and Gracious God
This crucial chapter focuses on God’s benevolent nature. Stanley asserts that God is inherently good, always acting with love and grace, even when His actions are difficult to understand. He challenges readers to look beyond immediate pain to see God’s overarching goodness at work.
Chapter 9: The Just and Righteous God
Stanley tackles the often-misunderstood aspect of God’s justice. He explains that God is perfectly righteous and fair, and while His justice may not always align with our immediate desires or understanding, it is always perfect. This chapter helps reconcile suffering with a just God by emphasizing His ultimate righteousness.
Part 3: What God Does When We Trust Him
This section shifts from understanding God’s character to exploring the tangible benefits and outcomes of choosing to trust Him. Stanley shows readers the profound impact of faith on their lives and circumstances.
Chapter 10: God Reveals His Will
When we trust God, Stanley explains, we become more attuned to His guidance and direction. Trust opens the door for God to reveal His specific will for our lives, leading us down paths we might not have discovered on our own.
Chapter 11: God Strengthens Our Faith
Trusting God, especially in difficult times, serves as a spiritual muscle-builder. Each act of faith, no matter how small, strengthens our capacity for greater trust in the future. Stanley emphasizes that trials, when met with trust, can lead to profound spiritual growth.
Chapter 12: God Provides for Our Needs
This chapter addresses the practical aspects of God’s care. Stanley affirms that when we trust God, He faithfully provides for our needs, not necessarily our wants, but what is truly essential for our well-being and His purposes. This often involves supernatural provision or unexpected avenues of supply.
Chapter 13: God Grants His Peace
One of the most profound benefits of trusting God is the deep, abiding peace that transcends circumstances. Stanley explains that this isn’t a peace based on the absence of trouble, but a peace that comes from knowing God is in control and working all things together for good.
Chapter 14: God Gives Us Courage
When fear and anxiety threaten to overwhelm us, trust in God empowers us with divine courage. Stanley demonstrates how a reliance on God’s strength enables us to face daunting challenges with boldness, knowing He is with us.
Part 4: How to Choose to Trust God
This practical section moves beyond theoretical understanding to provide actionable steps for cultivating and demonstrating trust in God in daily life. Stanley offers concrete advice for transforming intellectual assent into lived experience.
Chapter 15: Meditate on God’s Word
Stanley emphasizes the vital role of Scripture in building trust. Regularly immersing ourselves in God’s promises and truths anchors our faith, reminding us of His character and faithfulness. This is a foundational practice for a vibrant trust.
Chapter 16: Remember His Faithfulness
The author encourages readers to intentionally recall and recount instances where God has demonstrated His faithfulness in the past, both personally and in the lives of others. This practice builds confidence and reminds us that He is consistent.
Chapter 17: Express Your Trust to Him
Stanley advocates for actively communicating our trust to God through prayer, worship, and declarations of faith. Articulating our reliance on Him strengthens our resolve and affirms our commitment.
Chapter 18: Obey His Commands
True trust is demonstrated through obedience. Stanley posits that when we trust God, we are more willing to follow His instructions, even when they seem counterintuitive or challenging. Obedience becomes an act of worship and a testament to our faith.
Chapter 19: Give Thanks in Everything
This powerful chapter encourages a posture of gratitude, even amidst adversity. Stanley explains that giving thanks, not for the problem itself but in the problem, is a radical act of trust, acknowledging God’s sovereignty and goodness regardless of circumstances.
Part 5: The Unshakable Assurance of Trust
The final section of the book culminates in the profound and lasting peace that comes from unwavering trust in God. Stanley brings all the threads together, offering a hopeful and empowering conclusion.
Chapter 20: Living with Unshakable Trust
The concluding chapter synthesizes all the previous themes, presenting a vision of a life lived with profound, unshakable trust in God. Stanley assures readers that while challenges will persist, a foundational trust in God provides an inner stability that cannot be easily rattled. This chapter emphasizes the transforming power of a life fully surrendered to and reliant on God. It’s a call to embrace the abundant life that flows from such a commitment, marked by peace, joy, and spiritual resilience.
Dr. Stanley’s Overarching Message and Teaching
Throughout Can You Still Trust God?, Dr. Stanley’s core message is remarkably consistent and profoundly impactful: God is utterly trustworthy, even when our circumstances scream otherwise. Our choice to believe in His character and sovereignty, despite pain, confusion, or doubt, unlocks profound peace, spiritual strength, and the unfolding of His divine will in our lives.
Here are some key teachings he wants to convey:
- God’s Character is Immutable: The foundation of all trust is understanding who God is. Stanley tirelessly reiterates that God is unchanging in His love, power, knowledge, goodness, and justice. Our feelings and circumstances may fluctuate, but God does not.
- Doubt is a Starting Point, Not an End: Stanley normalizes the experience of doubt and questioning, but he doesn’t allow readers to wallow in it. Instead, he treats doubt as an opportunity for deeper inquiry and a springboard to a more robust faith.
- Trust is a Choice: This is perhaps the most critical takeaway. Trusting God is not a feeling that passively washes over us; it is an active decision, a conscious choice made daily, especially when it’s difficult. This choice empowers us to overcome our emotional responses to adversity.
- Suffering and Disappointment Are Part of the Journey: Stanley doesn’t offer a prosperity gospel. He acknowledges that life will bring pain and unanswered prayers. However, he reframes these experiences as opportunities for God to demonstrate His faithfulness and for our faith to be refined.
- Obedience is Key to Trust: Living out our trust in God involves actively obeying His commands. It’s not enough to intellectually agree that God is trustworthy; we must demonstrate it through our actions.
- God’s Plan is Always Good, Even if Unclear: A recurring theme is God’s perfect plan, which often transcends our limited human understanding. Stanley encourages readers to trust God’s perspective, knowing He is working all things for good for those who love Him.
- The Enemy Actively Seeks to Undermine Trust: Stanley provides a valuable spiritual dimension by highlighting the adversary’s role in sowing discord and doubt, reminding believers that some struggles are spiritual in nature and require spiritual warfare (which includes standing firm in faith).
- The Rewards of Trust are Abundant: The book consistently points to the tangible benefits of choosing trust: peace, guidance, provision, courage, and spiritual growth. These are not merely abstract concepts but real experiences available to those who lean on God.
Conclusion: A Foundation for Unshakable Faith
In Can You Still Trust God?: What Happens When You Choose to Believe, Charles F. Stanley doesn’t just offer answers; he provides a roadmap. A roadmap for navigating the treacherous terrain of doubt, for understanding the profound nature of a trustworthy God, and for actively choosing faith even when every fiber of your being wants to question.
This book is more than a summary of theological concepts; it’s a practical guide for cultivating a deep, abiding, and unshakable trust in the One who holds all things together. Whether you are grappling with a personal crisis, wrestling with difficult questions about God’s ways, or simply seeking to deepen your spiritual walk, Stanley’s timeless wisdom offers solace, direction, and the powerful assurance that yes, you can still trust God. And when you choose to believe, you unlock a life of peace, purpose, and profound connection with the Creator of the universe.
Pick up a copy, internalize its truths, and embark on your own journey toward unshakable faith. Your heart and your spirit will thank you for it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is this book suitable for non-Christians?
While the book is written from a Christian perspective, the themes of trust, suffering, and hope are universal. Non-believers may find value in the insights, though a foundational belief in God enhances the impact.
Q2: How long does it take to read the book?
At approximately 200+ pages, most readers can finish it in a week with focused reading. However, taking time to reflect on each chapter is recommended for deeper understanding.
Q3: Does the book include Bible verses?
Yes, each chapter includes relevant Scripture passages that support the teaching and provide grounding in God’s Word.
Q4: Can this book be used in group study or counseling sessions?
Absolutely. Each chapter ends with reflection questions and practical applications, making it ideal for small groups, Sunday school classes, or individual counseling.
Q5: Where can I buy the book?
You can purchase “Can You Still Trust God?” on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Christianbook.com, and other major online retailers.
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