Problems are part of life. They’re to be expected; however, when we find ourselves struggling unsuccessfully with something and becoming increasingly frustrated, it may be because we’re trying to handle it all on our own. Asking friends and family members for help only goes so far, because they have their own issues and limitations. When we get completely stuck, asking God to intervene—and trusting that He’ll always comes through—gets results.

It’s good to have faith, but we must be careful where we place it. The world talks about having faith in ourselves, in others, or even in earthly resources, but these are all unreliable. God’s promises of help are all throughout the Bible, and He’s one hundred percent trustworthy. “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1, 2). Not only did He make all of creation, but He also made us; He therefore knows exactly what we need and just how to help us.

No matter how it may look at the moment, God has the power and the will to work on our behalf. He loves us and He’ll never leave us alone to be overwhelmed by trouble. Genuinely believing this and not allowing doubt to get in the way opens the door to supernatural assistance with a situation. “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive” (Matthew 21:22).

Strong faith translates into decisive actions. When the woman with the issue of blood heard that Jesus was passing through, she acted in faith. “Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, for she thought, ‘If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.’ Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, ‘Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.’ And the woman was healed at that moment” (Matthew 9:20-22, NLT). She may have encountered resistance from others for being so bold and daring as to approach Jesus, but she didn’t let that deter her. When we’re desperate to experience breakthrough and we push toward God regardless of what others think, He rewards our persistence.

Despite repeatedly being disappointed by doctors who failed her, the woman had no doubt in her mind that Jesus was the one who could heal her. She believed, and refused to entertain unbelief. By contrast, her results were far different than what happened when the disciples tried unsuccessfully to cast out the demon from the possessed boy. When they asked Jesus about it later, He explained that their doubts, born by what they saw happening, blocked their faith. “And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matthew 17:20).

Relying on our own abilities and on what we can do to work things out through self-effort is simply displaying faith in ourselves. The world plays fast and loose with faith; as a result, we’ve forgotten where it comes from. It comes from Jesus, who gives us His own perfect faith so that we won’t have to rely on our own shaky, imperfect belief systems. Trouble will still come when we depend on Jesus, but trusting Him while we’re going through it keeps it from getting the upper hand.