What did God teach you in 2016? How to better trust in Him, was a lesson that resonated with many of the believers we spoke with.

It’s certainly something Capri Wilson took on board as she struggled to cope with her mother’s death.

“As some may know, this year my mother was diagnosed with a serious illness and passed away within six weeks of her diagnosis,” she said. “It was a complete shock to us, however, prayer and trusting God throughout has brought me to a new level of understanding of who God is to me.

“I was continuously reminded of the scripture in Exodus 14:14 which says, ‘The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still’. God revealed to me that being still didn’t mean being idle, or quiet, it meant being obedient and submissive to Him. On the best days, the worst days and those in between — even if it meant dragging myself to wake up early to pray and spend time with God — I had to do it. I had to submit my thoughts, my doubts, my cares and my desires to God through prayer and have the patience to wait for God to move.

“Though losing my mother has been one of the greatest losses I have experienced, I have witnessed miracles happen through prayer and submission: I’ve seen family members give their heart to the Lord; I have seen God pull people out of their comfort zones and develop them in ways even they couldn’t have imagined; I’ve seen the reconciliation of broken relationships; I’ve seen self-dependency crippled and transformed into being solely dependent on God.

“Personally, I have learnt the power of words and how they can bring life or death. I learnt how to love unconditionally through storms and rainbows and most of all how to listen to God’s voice amid the noise of the world.”

Sarah Lara, a Bermudian missionary serving in the Dominican Republic, learnt to serve God more and trust Him to provide for her day-to-day needs.

“One thing God continued to remind us of this year is that despite the craziness that we faced, He was still in absolute control,” she said. “We saw prayers answered time and time again and watched His hand provide, even up to the very last second. We truly have a God that loves His children. It is an honour to serve Him.

“One big example of answered prayers came when we were asked to bring ten young Dominican boys to play baseball in Atlanta. Considering most of the boys did not even have a birth certificate it seemed like it would be impossible to get all the American travel papers and visas they needed. I remember laughing when my husband Robersy first told me about the potential trip. ‘Yeah, right,’ I thought.

“But with much work and a lot of prayer, God provided the funds, birth certificates, passports and visas for every single boy.”

The journey to Atlanta wasn’t so easy for their own family — the only chaperones on the trip. They didn’t receive their newborn son’s British passport until the last minute.

“We prayed and two days before our scheduled flight, our documents finally arrived,” she said. “I almost hugged the mailman. Our God is always on time.”

Many other prayers were answered on a daily basis. She saw girls and women quit prostitution, struggling marriages restored, children healed and funds provided for families in need.

“I love watching God answer prayers while serving on the front lines,” she added. “Every Monday, Robersy and I pray together and write down the prayers that we saw answered from the week before. We have a flower vase filled with the prayers we have seen answered. I tell people not to let miracles pass them by. Take note of His mighty hand at work and praise his name.”

Lynwood “Brotha Richie” Richardson learnt he could trust in God to help him pursue his goals. He feels many people don’t fulfil their potential because they are afraid to “go for it”.

“This was the year that I turned 43,” he said. “I’ve come to a place in my life where I know who I am and what it is that I am supposed to be doing and that true success and happiness comes when you embrace this truth and actively walk in it.

“My life has been one of fulfilment but also frustration because I have had a vision for myself and the things that I wanted to do and be, but I have spent a lot of my time, talents, gifts and resources doing for others and building their dreams instead.

“After leaving my job at radio station Hott 107.5 in May 2016, I decided to go all out and do that which has been on my heart to do for years. The risk has come with great sacrifice, both financially and otherwise, but not a day goes by that the Father doesn’t confirm that I am on the right path, and I will be in a space where I am walking in my purpose, fulfilling my destiny and being the priest, provider and protector that I am meant to be.

“This path that I have chosen is not for the faint of heart. Many believers, unfortunately, are lions living in captivity getting fed their meals, but I have chosen to live in the wilderness where trusting your God-given instinct is a matter of life or death.”

Chrisanthi Bartley also realised this year that it was time to put the talents and opportunities God had given her to use.

“I learnt that instead of going through the motions and wondering what that fire deep down inside really is about, I need to step out of my comfort zone, with no regrets and start pursuing that passion that He has placed upon my life,” she said.

“I enrolled in a Bermuda Economic Development Corporation course that allowed me to speak and grow passionately about my 2017 project, Scribbles Art Shack. Along the way, I met hardships, suffering and was wondering if God was really with me on this journey. Then I realised that I have to go through all of that ‘stuff’ so that my faith can be strengthened, so that my character can be ready and available for the mere reflection of what he was grooming me for.

“As a Christian, I must remember that those hardships are my opportunities to grow spiritually with Him. I know that God has something awesome in store for me and I will trust his timing, because he will place me in the right place in due season.”

Waynette Hollis also trusted in God this year. In doing so, she learnt that God is faithful “no matter what it looks like all around me”.

“He has proven faithful literally in every area of my life,” she said. “Even when it hurts He is faithful. I’ve always been someone who knew what was coming next. The next chapter of my life was always intentional, but this year I had no foresight at all in regards to the next steps. All I could do was trust him through the seasons.

“I had to focus on Him and draw close so that I had the strength to trust Him because I couldn’t ‘see’. I had no real plans, there were too many variables and question marks to know anything for sure so I couldn’t really see what was coming so I had to trust — trust through the hard times and the good times; trust Him to see for me and know that He orchestrated things for my best interest and, again I say, even when it hurts, even when it’s hard, it’s always been for my good.”

Alana Furbert said God taught her to love herself and Him in deeper ways this year. He was there to help as her mother successfully battled cancer.

“My mom was definitely an example of God’s love,” she said. “Throughout her cancer roller-coaster ride she showed so much peace. My challenges haven’t come close to what she has had to go through. However, when I have faced them God was always there. I could feel his presence in my heart, I even got goosebumps.

“My Heavenly Father has taught me this through His word, unconditional love, through using my parents and close family and friends, my amazing son and by His forgiveness.”