Trust is something that many of us have issues with: trusting other people, trusting ourselves sometimes, & ultimately trusting God. Trust is a shared belief that we can depend on each other to achieve a common purpose. Trust is something that is present in “degrees” (a little trust — a lot of trust), & trust is something that is not automatic, but is built over time.
My grandsons and I wrestle a lot on the floor in our living room. Often they will run and just dive into my arms. They trust that I will be there to catch them, in fact, they know they can depend on me! While that trust came early it was something I earned in time. I never let them down and that trust has built over time and spilled into other things.
One of the problems we face in life is that we HAVE been let down by different people and in different situations. I believe that because of that, it is often hard for us to trust others sometimes and even more, it may also be hard for us to trust God.
In what way do you struggle with “trust”?
Psalms 84:12 (TNIV)
LORD Almighty, blessed are those who trust in you.Proverbs 3:5-6 (TNIV)
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
All through the bible we are told to trust God—during the sunny times as well as the dark times, at the dump and at the beach, when we’re sick and when we’re well, when our pockets are full and when they are empty. Some people ask, “how does this work?”. When we learn to put our trust in God, we let go of the outcome and recognize that He is in control, not us.
–Trust overcomes fear: Genuine trust in God says, “Whatever mess I’m in, my heavenly Father will lead me.”
–Trust overcomes depression. This common malady would grow like a weed, especially if was not the God not the gardener.
–Trust overcomes hate. When careless or cruel people hurt you, sometimes irreparably, you can hate forever or trust, but you can’t do both.
The key, I believe and have found, is that God is not there to “fix” every situation we get into as much as He is there to steady us and lead us through tough situations. As we follow Jesus, we are given the promise of His presence, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; we find hope in desperate circumstances; we find wisdom to guide us and this is something we can learn easily to trust.
I have found as I committed my life to Jesus that I have been able to rely on him when facing my most desperate moments.
1 Peter 4:12-13 & 19 (TNIV)
12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.19 So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
What Peter is saying here is that as a follower of Jesus, do not to be surprised in life when you face tough situations. They will come, and will continue to come. As followers of Jesus we can learn to trust in His leading knowing that we can walk through tough situations with joy rather than letting them tear us down.
Additionally, as a follower of Jesus, we can expect many wonderful surprises as well: friendships, intimacy, and of course an eternal life with none other that God Himself, indeed, with Jesus!
Pain and struggles–yes, they are coming! But be encouraged, as you learn to trust in Jesus, these times will test and refine your faith and you will learn what true joy is.