Why It’s Important to Be Honest with God

Being honest with God might sound obvious, but many of us struggle with it. We think, “God already knows everything, so why do I need to say it out loud?” But there’s something powerful about verbalizing our pain to God. When we pour out our hearts, we invite Him into our brokenness.

Rebekah described driving down the freeway, tears streaming down her face, crying out to God, “I hurt, Lord! Please show me you are present.” In that moment of raw honesty, God met her right where she was.

The same is true for us. When we come to God with our unfiltered thoughts and emotions, we’re taking a step toward healing. We don’t have to have polished prayers. God desires our authenticity, even in the mess.

 Job’s Example of Brutal Honesty

One of the best biblical examples of being honest with God is Job. Job was a blameless man who endured unimaginable suffering. He lost his family, wealth, and health. Yet, even in his grief, Job was brutally honest with God.

In Job 1:21-22, Job acknowledges God’s sovereignty:

He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.

But as Job’s pain deepened, his honesty became more raw. In Job 30:19-20, he cries out:

He has thrown me into the mud. I’m nothing more than dust and ashes. “I cry to you, O God, but you don’t answer. I stand before you, but you don’t even look.

Job didn’t hold back. He expressed his anguish directly to God. And here’s the key takeaway: Job’s honesty wasn’t sinful. God never rebuked Job for his raw emotions. Instead, God responded by reminding Job of His sovereignty and character.

God’s Response to Our Honesty

When we’re honest with God, we might not get the answers we’re looking for, but we will get something even better: a deeper understanding of who God is.

Jonny Ardavanis, in his book Consider the Lilies, puts it this way:

“God’s response to Job’s profound despair is indicative of the way He responds to all His anxious, fearful, and despairing creatures in the Bible. He routinely responds in one way: He proclaims His own character.”

In Job 38, God reminds Job of His power and sovereignty:

• Job 38:4: “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?”
• Job 38:11: I said, ‘This far and no farther will you come. Here your proud waves must stop!’
• Job 38:25: “Who created a channel for the torrents of rain? Who laid out the path for the lightning?

God doesn’t give Job an explanation for his suffering. Instead, He points Job back to who He is: the Creator, the Sustainer, the Sovereign Lord.

This is a reminder for us, too. We may not get answers to our “Why?” questions, but we can rest in the truth of who God is.

Honesty Leads to Deeper Connection

Think about your human relationships. When you hide your true feelings from someone, it creates a wedge between you. But when you finally open up, that barrier is removed, and the relationship deepens.

It’s the same with God. When we’re honest with Him, we remove the wedge of hidden emotions. We experience freedom and intimacy with our Creator.

Jesus invites us to come to Him with our burdens:

Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

God is gentle. He doesn’t dismiss our pain or chastise us for our honesty. Instead, He offers rest for our weary souls.

Your Feelings Don’t Determine Reality

In difficult seasons, it’s easy to feel like God is distant or indifferent. But our feelings don’t always reflect reality. God is always present, even when we can’t feel Him.

The story of Eve in the Garden of Eden shows how doubt can creep in:

Genesis 3:1: “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”

The serpent planted doubt in Eve’s heart, making her question God’s goodness. We do the same when we endure hardship. We wonder if God is withholding good from us.

But the truth is, God works all things for good:

Romans 8:28: And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Notice Paul’s confidence: “We know.” Not “we hope” or “we think.” We can have that same confidence in God’s presence and plan.

God’s Compassionate Response to Doubt

Jesus knew His disciples would struggle with doubt and fear. Before He ascended to heaven, He gave them this assurance:

Matthew 28:20: “And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Even though they wouldn’t see Him physically, He promised to be with them. This promise extends to us today. God will never leave us or forsake us:

Deuteronomy 31:6: So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His presence is promised, even in our darkest moments.

Final Encouragement

In moments of great pain, we may feel abandoned by God. But the truth is, He is with us. As Corrie Ten Boom once said:

“No pit is so deep that He is not deeper still; with Jesus even in our darkest moments, the best remains and the very best is yet to be.”

Yes, even in our darkest moments, God is present. The best is yet to come. He will turn our pain into something for His glory.

Remember the promise of Romans 8:28. If you love Jesus and follow Him, this promise is for you. God is working for your good, even in the chaos.

Takeaway

When life hits you with a sucker punch, remind yourself of this truth: Your feelings do not always determine reality. Be confident that God is with you, even in the hardship. Pour out your heart to Him, and trust that He will meet you there.

God Is Our Provider

From the very beginning, God has shown His heart to provide for His people. In Genesis 2:18, God saw that Adam was alone and said:

 “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.”

God saw a need and met it. This shows us that God is Jehovah Jireh—the God who provides.

Later in Genesis 3:21, after Adam and Eve sinned, they felt ashamed of their nakedness. But God didn’t leave them in their shame. Instead, He provided garments to cover them:

And the LORD God made clothing from animal skins for Adam and his wife.

This act of covering their shame points to God’s compassionate character. He saw their need and lovingly provided for them, even after they disobeyed Him.

God’s Unchanging Nature in Our Changing Circumstances

Our circumstances may shift from good to bad in an instant, but God remains the same. When life throws a sucker punch, it’s essential to ground ourselves in God’s character.

Think of a boxer in the ring. Boxers use a technique called grounding, which involves maintaining a firm stance to avoid losing their balance. Similarly, we must stand firm in who God is to stay steady when life tries to knock us down.

Consider the story of Job. He experienced unimaginable suffering and cried out to God in his confusion. God responded by reminding Job of His omnipotence and sovereignty. God’s character became the anchor Job needed to endure his trials.

God’s Assurance to Moses

When God called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, Moses doubted his ability to speak. In response, God reminded Moses of His own power and presence:

Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.” (Exodus 4:11-12)

God reassured Moses that He was sovereign and all-powerful. Moses didn’t need to rely on his own abilities because God would equip him for the task.

JI Packer once said:

“To know that nothing happens in God’s world apart from God’s will may frighten the godless, but it stabilizes the saints.”

Understanding God’s sovereignty shouldn’t frighten us—it should stabilize us. When we face hardship, we can rest in the knowledge that God is in control and will provide for our needs.

Practical Ways to Remind Yourself of God’s Character

Here’s a simple way to keep God’s character at the forefront of your mind: create an alphabetical list of God’s attributes, and find Bible verses to match each trait.

Example:

• A – All-Knowing: Psalm 147:5 How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension!
• B – Blessing: James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above. (NIV)
• C – Compassionate: Psalm 145:8-9 The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. (NIV)

As you do this, you’ll begin to train your mind to focus on God’s truth instead of your circumstances.

The Importance of Remembering God’s Faithfulness

In the Old Testament, God repeatedly exhorted His people to remember His faithfulness. When the Israelites crossed the Jordan River, God instructed them to gather stones as a memorial:

“These stones will stand as a memorial among the people of Israel forever.” (Joshua 4:7)

Why? Because we are prone to forget. In difficult times, we often lose sight of God’s past faithfulness. But these reminders serve as anchors for our souls, helping us trust that the God who was faithful before will be faithful again.

Take time to write down the ways God has been faithful to you. These notes can serve as your own personal “stones of remembrance” when you face future challenges.

God’s Compassion for the Brokenhearted

Isaiah 42:3 describes Jesus’ tender care:

He will not crush the weakest reed or put out a flickering candle.

If you feel broken or like your light has nearly gone out, remember that Jesus sees you. He is tender and compassionate. He won’t overlook your pain or abandon you in your suffering. Instead, He will sustain you and gently carry you through.

JI Packer also wrote:

“God uses chronic pain and weakness, along with other afflictions, as His chisel for sculpting our lives. Felt weakness deepens dependence on Christ for strength each day. The weaker we feel, the harder we lean. And the harder we lean, the stronger we grow spiritually.”

Conclusion: Stay Grounded in God’s Character

When life throws sucker punches, ground yourself in God’s character. He is Jehovah Jireh, your Provider. He is compassionate, sovereign, and faithful. Write down the ways He has shown up in your life. Let those reminders keep you steady when life feels chaotic.

As Corrie Ten Boom said:

“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest.”

Be at peace, friends. God knows, He loves, and He cares. As Corrie says, “He gives the very best to those who leave the choice to Him.”