I’ve felt the Lord calling me into a deeper level of trust in Him over the last few years so it’s interesting how I’ve had so many new opportunities to put this into practice lately. In the midst of the unknown, the uncertain and the waiting, it’s a daily choice to choose to trust.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
The reality is, there’s still days I find myself depending on my own understanding. I fall back into old patterns and allow stress, anxiety and fear to cloud my ability to see clearly.
“How am I going to handle this? How can I make that happen? What can I do to make this work?”
See the problem with the sentences above? There’s far too much “I” and there’s too many question marks. In this moment, not only do I forget that I’m a new creation (and now think and respond differently because of Christ in me), but I’ve also forgotten to remember who my God is.
When I’m faced with an opportunity to trust, I remind myself to not “lean on my own understanding” but instead, to remember He holds me in the palm of His hand. I bring to mind the countless times I’ve experienced His faithfulness, goodness, provision, love, healing and more first hand in my life. Instead of letting fear trap me with questions, I declare,
“God will take care of me. He prepares the way for me. He knows the desires of my heart.”
The more I learn about trust the more I learn about love. When I truly understand how loved I am by God, trusting in Him becomes my natural response. It’s the best kind of “two for one” lesson. I’m learning that what I really need to do in times of the unknown, the uncertain and the waiting, is to let His love cast out all doubt and fear. And guess what? You can learn it too!
Next time you find yourself overwhelmed, anxious and fearful STOP that thought train before it leaves the station!
Spend time asking God what He has to say about the situation and use a notebook or mobile device to write it down. Let His love wash over you and fill your heart with hope. Then from that place choose to trust in your good, good, Heavenly Father.
I also like to write down the things I’m trusting for and praying to God about, so when they are answered I can go back and record the date and the testimony of His faithfulness and goodness in my life as a written record for me to remember.
I’ll close with Paul’s words to the church in Philippi which I’ve found to be an encouragement in this season:
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.”
- Philippians 4:4-9 (NIV)