Am I Trusting God’s Ability or His Character?

I'm learning to anchor my faith in who God is, not just what He can do!

I used to think God failed me.
The truth is, I was trusting the wrong part of Him.

For years, I would have said I trusted God, and to some degree I did. But what He’s been showing me is that there’s a big difference between trusting His ability and trusting His character.

A Simple Whisper That Changed Everything

It was February 2020. I was frustrated and worn out. I went hiking to clear my head and pray — something about being outside always helps me connect with God. As I laid out all my concerns, I felt Him whisper something quiet but direct:
“I just want you to trust Me.”

At first, it felt like a no-brainer. Of course I trust You, Lord. But then I asked,
“Trust You for what?”

That question led me into an entirely new understanding of trust.

What Are We Really Trusting God For?

Like many Christians, I had learned to trust God for things. A better job. Financial provision. Ministry success. Healing. Breakthrough. Restoration. I believed God could do the impossible, and I still do.

But what happens when He doesn’t?

• What happens when the business fails?

• When the marriage ends?

• When the diagnosis doesn’t change?

• When the prayers are met with silence?

• When the kids turn away?

What do you do when God doesn’t come through the way you expected?

The Shift: From Power to Person

As I kept asking God that day, “What do You want me to trust You for?”, I sensed His response:
“I don’t want you to trust Me for anything. I want you to trust Me.”

That stopped me in my tracks.

He wasn’t asking me to trust His power. He was inviting me to trust His person — His heart, His nature, His goodness. That’s a whole different kind of trust.

When Ability Becomes a Trap

The truth is, I had placed my faith in what God could do. And when He didn’t act the way I expected, I didn’t just feel disappointed — I began to question His character.

I was hurt. I was angry. I felt let down.
And maybe you’ve been there too.

We don’t like to admit it, but many of us have felt offended at God. We prayed, we believed, we obeyed, and He didn’t show up the way we thought He would. So we silently wonder if He really cares. Or worse, if He’s even good.

Here’s what I’ve come to realize:

When we trust God’s ability more than His character, unanswered prayer feels like betrayal.

Anchoring Our Faith in God’s Character

But when we trust in God’s character — in His love, His wisdom, His compassion, His timing — then even when things fall apart, we can still stand.

Job understood this when he said,
“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.” (Job 13:15)
He didn’t trust in the outcome. He trusted in the One behind it.

After nearly 40 years of walking with Jesus, I’ve seen His faithfulness again and again. I’ve also experienced deep loss, disappointment, and seasons where I did the right thing and still suffered. But in every one of those valleys, I’ve come to know His heart more.

The Soil Where Trust Grows

Spiritual maturity doesn’t come from success. It comes from suffering that has been evaluated and surrendered to God.

Suffering is the soil where the seed of trust matures.

When God doesn’t move the way I want, His love remains.
When His answer is silence, His presence still surrounds me.
When the story doesn’t go how I hoped, He is still good.

Looking back, I now understand — trusting in God’s character is better than trusting in His ability. His ability may or may not be used in the way I imagined. But His heart toward me never changes.

One Final Question

So here’s the question I want to leave with you:
Are you trusting God to come through for you, or are you trusting that who He is, is enough?