There are moments in life when faith is all we have left to hold onto. For children in foster care, this reality is often far too familiar. I remember the day I met a young boy named Ethan. He had bounced between six different homes in just three years. His eyes, once full of innocence, were now guarded—worn from too many goodbyes, too many shattered promises. “Why should I believe things will ever get better?” he asked me one evening. His words hit me like a weight to the chest. What could I say to a child who had every reason to doubt?
Perhaps you’ve found yourself asking a similar question. Maybe not as a foster child, but as someone navigating loss, uncertainty, or heartbreak. Life has a way of shaking our faith, making us wonder if we are truly seen, truly loved. But here’s the truth: Faith is not just about believing in what we can see—it’s about trusting in what we cannot. And in the foster care journey, whether as a child, parent, or advocate, faith becomes the bridge that leads from despair to hope.
Faith That Sustains in the Unknown
Hebrews 11:1 tells us, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” For many foster children, hope is fragile. They wake up in unfamiliar places, wondering if they will ever belong. But even in the uncertainty, faith whispers, You are not forgotten.
For foster parents, faith is often the anchor that keeps them steady. The road is rarely easy. There are sleepless nights filled with prayers, court hearings that seem unending, and moments when love is given but not yet received. But faith reminds us that our efforts are never in vain. Every act of kindness, every moment of patience, every whispered prayer plants a seed that God is growing—even when we cannot see it yet.
Faith doesn’t mean the absence of trials. It means standing firm in the midst of them. Consider Joseph, who was thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, and wrongfully imprisoned. Yet, through it all, he remained faithful to God’s plan. And in the end, he rose to a position of great influence and purpose. Just as Joseph’s journey was filled with uncertainty, the foster care journey is marked by struggles. But in God’s hands, those struggles can become stepping stones to something greater.
The Transformative Power of Love and Faith
Love, when paired with faith, has the power to heal wounds deeper than the eye can see. I think about Ethan again. He struggled to believe in love, because to him, love always meant loss. But over time, through consistent love and unwavering faith, something changed. It wasn’t overnight. But slowly, trust began to take root in his heart.
Jesus himself demonstrated this kind of faithful love. He didn’t just love when it was easy—He loved when it was hard, when it was costly, when it was undeserved. That same love is what we are called to embody, especially in the foster care and adoption journey.
The world tells us that love should be reciprocated, but God calls us to love even when it isn’t returned. 1 Corinthians 13:7 reminds us, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” This is the kind of love that transforms lives.
Practical Steps to Walk in Faith
Faith is not passive. It requires action. Whether you are fostering, adopting, or simply supporting a child in need, here are a few ways to live out your faith:
- Pray with Purpose – Pray for the children who feel lost, for the families opening their homes, for the social workers making tough decisions. Prayer changes things.
- Show Up Consistently – Faithfulness is found in the small moments. A listening ear, a steady presence, a kind word—it all matters.
- Speak Life – Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that “life and death are in the power of the tongue.” Speak words of hope over children who have only known rejection. Tell them they are loved, chosen, and worthy.
- Extend Grace – Foster children carry invisible burdens. Their walls are not a rejection of you but a defense against past pain. Love them anyway. Be patient. Trust that healing takes time.
- Trust God’s Timing – The journey of foster care and adoption is unpredictable. But God is never late. His plans are higher, His ways are greater, and He is always working behind the scenes.
- Educate Yourself – Understanding trauma and its effects will help you support children in meaningful ways. Read books, attend training, and seek wisdom from those who have walked this path before.
- Surround Yourself with a Support System – The foster care journey can be lonely. Find a community of like-minded believers who can encourage and uplift you.
Step Forward in Faith
Perhaps you’re reading this because you feel a stirring in your heart. Maybe God is calling you to foster, adopt, or support a child in need. Maybe He’s asking you to believe again—to trust that your story isn’t over, that redemption is still possible.
Faith doesn’t mean we won’t face challenges. It means we walk through them differently. It means we choose to trust that God is in control, even when life feels chaotic. It means we step forward, not because we see the full picture, but because we trust the One who does.
Ethan’s story didn’t change overnight. But today, he’s no longer the same fearful boy who doubted love. He knows now that he is cherished, that his past does not define him, and that his future is filled with hope. And that, my friend, is the power of faith.
If you feel a calling to make a difference, take the first step today. Get involved in foster care advocacy, mentor a child, support a foster family, or simply open your heart to learning more. Faith calls us to action, and when we move in faith, miracles happen.
Will you choose to walk in faith today? Whether through fostering, supporting, or simply loving more deeply, your faith has the power to change lives. Step forward. Trust boldly. Love fiercely. And watch how faith makes the impossible possible.
