Trust? Or Not!

For those of us, who have been severely wounded by the people we are supposed to trust the most, trusting others can be an impossible task. For the believer, who walks by faith in Jesus Christ, it is necessary. So how do we get from one state to the other? How do we learn trust in an untrustworthy world?

I am learning that God wants me to trust him on a daily basis to provide for everything that I need. It is without a doubt the most difficult challenge in my maturity process. For me, everything comes down to control. I have had very little control in my life so I want to control everything. Giving that control away to God makes very little sense to me as a human being.

However, the Bible teaches that we are not to lean unto our own understanding but in all our ways to acknowledge God and he will direct our paths. (Proverbs 3:5,6) I have discovered that when I let go, God does provide. When I choose to trust, even though there seems to be no reason to trust Almighty God, he is right there with me. Another verse in Jeremiah 29:11 tells us, "...I know what I am planning for you, says the Lord. I have good plans for you, plans not to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future."

The problem is that we have an inherant desire to make our own decisions and to want what we want when we want it, which is often now. How in the world can we know when we take that job, marry that supposedly wonderful man, choose that school, move to that city or any of the many, many decisions we make on a daily basis that it will be the right decision? We do not have the ability to see into the future, yet we make choices all the time without consulting our Creator, who does know everything.

I Thessalonians 5:8 tells us that we belong to the day. To me, this was a critical step in my growth as a woman and as a human being. Let's face it, yesterday is over with and cannot be changed. Tomorrow is totally unknown. Really, all we can do is fuss over yesterday or tomorrow. What if we just rested in today? What if we got up each morning and praised God for the day and the fact that His mercies are new? What if we thanked Him for hot showers and the food we have for that day? What if we were grateful for a place to sleep just for that day and looked for opportunities to be a blessing to others in that day?

For me, wonderful things began to happen as I walked into trusting God each and every day. When there was a need for food, something has always been provided. When there was a need for additional funds, commissions came through that were unexpected or gifts were sent. I have had wonderful trips come out of the blue just when they were needed. My eyes are being opened to how God wants to bless me. It is worth the initial scary letting go that is needed. Try it!