Living in the Garden of Grace: Why Is Faith So Difficult?

Why the dam?

Reflections on David Kuykendall’s Devotional Series

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)

The Challenge of "Letting Go and Letting God"

“Let go and let God” is a phrase often heard in Christian circles, yet for many, it feels like an impossible task. The idea of surrendering control sounds liberating, but the practical reality can seem out of reach. Why is faith—true, reliant trust in God—so difficult?

Two Barriers to Faith

Kuykendall identifies two key obstacles to living by faith:

1. A Limited Understanding of God
   Faith cannot flourish without a clear and intimate understanding of the One we are trusting. Many believers, though saved by grace, struggle with incomplete or distorted views of God. Without a deep knowledge of His character, promises, and faithfulness, trusting Him fully becomes an uphill battle.

   Solution: Saturate your mind with Scripture. God has revealed Himself through His word. The more we immerse ourselves in the Bible, the clearer His heart, wisdom, and power become to us. As our understanding grows, so does our ability to trust Him.

2. A Natural Tendency to Trust Ourselves
   The flesh—our old patterns of self-reliance—resists faith in God. We often trust our own wisdom, abilities, and resources rather than depending on Him. This self-trust must be addressed before we can genuinely “let go and let God.”

   Solution: God graciously helps us loosen our grip on self-reliance through “thorns in the flesh.” These challenges reveal our limitations and remind us of our need for Him. Additionally, embracing the exchanged life—relying on Christ as our source of life—frees us from the burden of self-dependence.

Living by Faith Step by Step

Faith is not something we manufacture by effort; it is cultivated through a relationship with God. As we saturate our minds with His word and yield to His Spirit, faith becomes a natural outflow of our lives. The process is gradual, but with each step, we are freed from self-reliance and drawn into deeper trust in the Lord.

Consider these steps:

• Spend time in God’s word daily, allowing His truth to shape your perspective.

• Recognize thorns in your life as invitations to depend on Him rather than yourself.

• Reflect on past experiences where God proved His faithfulness, building confidence for the present.

A Prayer of Trust

Heavenly Father, thank You for being trustworthy and faithful. I confess my struggle to fully trust You and my tendency to rely on myself. I surrender my fears and worries to You, resting in Your promises and faithfulness. Fill my heart with confidence in Your care, and draw me deeper into reliance on You each day. Amen.

A Final Thought

Faith is difficult not because God is untrustworthy, but because we often lack a full understanding of who He is and cling too tightly to self-reliance. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture and experience the exchanged life, we learn to “let go and let God.” Each step of trust brings us closer to the abundant life He has for us, where fear and worry are replaced by peace and confidence in His care.

Friends, for a deeper exploration of God's character, we encourage you to follow our ongoing series on A.W. Tozer’s Knowledge of the Holy, where we delve into the magnificence of our God. Also, stay tuned for our upcoming series on Wayne Jacobsen’s He Loves Me!, where we will explore the heart of God and His unfathomable love for His children.