Life can change instantly—a loved one dies, a relationship falls apart, financial security disappears, or an unexpected crisis shakes our world. In these moments, prayer can feel difficult. How do we pray when bad things happen?
The prophet Habakkuk gives us a powerful example. He faced devastating news: God revealed that Judah would suffer at the hands of the Babylonians. Yet, instead of despairing, Habakkuk prayed. His prayer, recorded in Habakkuk 3, shows us how to move from fear to faith.
The Power of “Yet I”
We often focus on the “But God” moments in Scripture—those times when God intervenes and changes everything. But Habakkuk teaches us the power of another phrase: “Yet I.”
In verse 18, he declares, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation.” Habakkuk knew destruction was coming, yet he chose to rejoice. He didn’t ignore reality. He saw the suffering ahead, but he anchored himself in the unshakable truth of God’s faithfulness.
Prayer as the Path from Fear to Faith
In Habakkuk’s journey, we see a pattern:
Bring Your Doubts to God (Chapter 1): Habakkuk begins with raw honesty: “How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen!” (1:2). His complaint reflects our own struggles when God seems silent. But God invites us to bring our questions to Him.
Wait on God’s Timing (Chapter 2): God answers Habakkuk’s complaints, not by removing the trial but by calling him to wait in faith: “The righteous will live by their faithfulness to God” (2:4). Trust requires patience.
Rejoice in Prayer (Chapter 3): By the end of the book, Habakkuk’s circumstances haven’t changed—Judah is still facing judgment—but his heart has. Through prayer, he shifts his focus from the problem to the God who is bigger than the problem.
Habakkuk doesn’t rejoice for suffering, but he rejoices in suffering. There’s a difference. We don’t celebrate pain, but we find joy in knowing God is present in it. He uses a powerful image in verse 19: “The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights.” In biblical times, high ground meant safety. When we rejoice in God through suffering, He lifts us to higher ground, strengthening us to endure.
Suffering can either drive us to despair or deepen our faith. It can make us bitter or make us stronger. The difference is in our response. What is your “Yet I” statement When hardship comes, will you say, “Yet I will trust”? “Yet I will serve”? “Yet I will rejoice”? Like Habakkuk, let’s choose to rejoice—not because our circumstances are good, but because our God is good. No matter what comes, He will never let us go.