God’s gift to . . .

Trust in the Lord

To trust in the Lord . . . this foundational, critical, life decision is based upon our belief in God and our desire to spend eternity with Him  . . .  not a “quick” decision because of our current circumstances  . . .  God is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8) and we must be grounded in this belief— with faith, conviction, and certainty deep in our hearts and souls . . . this allows us to accept and know that He travels with us always, throughout our days  . . .  This also means that, as we pray daily, we should invite Him along with us  . . .  This is how our trust grows, assured that we are never alone.

“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord himself, is the Rock eternal.”
Isaiah 26:4

Who or what do you trust in? How is that working out for you?
Do you feel “shaky” or unsure around people, not knowing if you can or cannot trust them?
How does that affect your ability to relate to others?

Trust is believing in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something . . . You can’t have any kind of healthy relationship without it

So, to trust or not to trust? . . . it’s a hard decision to make sometimes . . . it’s risky to be vulnerable to someone else, and it’s hard to let go of being in control of a situation and laying yourself and your emotions out in the open . . . and it seems to be getting harder all the time . . . Most of us can think of a time when our trust has been broken, have experienced being hurt by someone or something we’ve trusted.

But good friendships, solid relationships, those safe harbors of support with others are important to how we live and how we nurture joy in our lives . . . Trust is vital, yet fragile in every relationship
. . . If you do end up dealing with someone who is untrustworthy, even a mild breeze can capsize the relationship, and you sink into the darkness of hurt and confusion . . . but, when you find that safe harbor with trustworthy people, you can weather almost any storm . . . and when you turn to God, listen to Christ and the Holy Spirit,  you will find wisdom . . . WISDOM that becomes the thread that weaves together secure trust within our hearts and souls, and true joy in our lives. 

INSIGHT . . .

So . . . What does it mean to trust?

There  is a difference between being smart and being wise  . . . Wisdom really goes beyond knowledge . . . it’s more than just knowing facts . . . you can know lots of good “stuff” yet have no idea how to apply it, use it, or live it . . . I have always emphasized that you can know all about God and the Bible, but if you don’t personally KNOW God and have a living relationship with Him, you just have a pile of facts with nowhere to go.

Wisdom—awareness, insight, perception—is an understanding of life, the art of living, and provides a proficiency in good decision-making . . . True wisdom starts with insight into who the Lord is, what He has done, and what He desires for us and for the world we live in . . . true wisdom is based upon a relationship with God—the source of all true wisdom—and more than common sense or good advice,

“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.
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and
turn away from evil.” 
Proverbs 3:5-7

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart” . . . this word “trust” implies both the decision to trust God but also to create the habit of trusting . . . When we follow Christ, we are making a decision to trust God . . . In each situation we experience, we take it and place it in God’s hands—especially through prayer—trusting God with everything we are and everything we have . . . No exceptions . . . placing our hope in Christ alone . . . Nothing else . . . No one else. 

“Lean not on your own understanding”  . . . Even after placing trust in God we’re tempted to back step . . .  many still attempt to lean on our own wisdom even though we’ve declared we trust in God . . . The problem is we can’t do both . . . You can’t say you trust in God if you haven’t let go of everything—letting Him be in control . . . avoid looking for wisdom within or in the world . . .
as followers of Jesus, we need to only look to God.

“In all your ways submit to him” . . . This means that we obey God’s direction and rules for our life . . . Rather than doing what we want, we pursue what God says is best. 

Then . . . “He will make your paths straight”  . . . This is a promise! . . . If we trust in God, not our own understanding, if we submit to God, THEN He will make our paths straight. 

Proverbs 3:5-7 isn’t saying that everything will always work out in our favor if we trust God . . . Sometimes we’ll face difficulties,
go down dark and challenging paths as we follow Jesus . . . but, what appears to be tragic or murky gloom in the moment, will be used for good if we trust God . . . The sun will come out again because of The Son.

INVITATION—TO TALK WITH GOD . . . 

“I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me”
Psalm 16:8

When you trust this knowledge within yourself, and you put your trust in God, this should provide reassurance, hope, and support in your daily life . . . This reassurance reminds you that you are never alone . . . God is watching, Christ is with you, and the Holy Spirit is guiding you . . . This is God’s promise for you, for all who trust in Him . . . He is reliable, truthful, and always with you throughout life’s journey.

Are you struggling to feel a connection with someone? . . . anyone? . . . with God?
Is a feeling of sadness, isolation, exhaustion taking hold on your life?
Or . . . Do you know someone who is struggling with this?

Talk to God . . . silently or out loud . . . Scream it, yell it, whisper it, sing it . . . Pour out everything—let Him hear your pain, your frustration, your loneliness . . . and ask for help and guidance.

Henri Nouwen writes, “God is a God of the present. God is always in the moment, be that moment hard or easy, joyful or painful.” . . . God is with you through it all . . . He just wants to hear from you, to walk with you, and to be your guiding support.

We want to be in control and only want to hear God when we think we need Him . . . But we need God all the time, in the good times and bad times . . . A living relationship with Christ in your life allows the heart, mind, body, and soul to be strongly interwoven together, and creates a binding trust in our Lord . . . focused prayer with God builds and binds this relationship with the Lord.

ILLUMINATION . . .

Reflect a moment . . . with deep breaths & long sighs . . . Imagine quietly sitting in
front of a warm fire on a cold day, a cozy blanket available nearby, along with
a good book, and a cup of something warm to drink. There is a comfort and feeling
of being safe in this imaginary space.

Where is your imaginary space, that you can safely sit with God and have a good conversation, or just sit in silence together? . . . Let your mind find that place that dwells deep in your heart and gives you peace.

Sometimes the best thing you can do is not overthink, not over-wonder, not imagine, not obsess . . . Just breathe and have trust and faith in God, knowing that He will provide what is needed in your life at the right moment in time.

Are you willing to spend time in your safe space with God?
Willing to slow down  and talk to God?
Willing to let go of the chaos around you and trust God will show you what you truly need?

INSPIRATION—PRAYING THROUGH MUSIC . . .

“Music does a lot of things for a lot of people. It’s transporting, for sure.
It’s uplifting, it’s encouraging, it’s strengthening.”
(Aretha Franklin)

I encourage you to take time to listen to either or both songs below . . . there is no right or wrong style of music—it is what speaks to you . . . listen to the melody and the lyrics and feel the response of your heart to what God wants you to hear . . . and I do understand that music doesn’t speak to everyone . . . and that is okay too.

♪♬♪ Current . . . Trust in God
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZ2lIVD-cP0&list=RDTZ2lIVD-cP0&start_radio=1

♪♬♪ Traditional . . . “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HudtQINJ81A

INTO EACH DAY AHEAD . . .

We have to learn to trust and see God in the same way Christ sees and trusts God . . . Can you do that?

Talk with God this week about what aspect of trust you struggle with  . . .  just talk.

The Lord wants you to trust Him, to trust in a relationship with Him, and to believe in the dependability and truth of that relationship . . . He believes in you . . . Do you believe in Him?

“Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him.
Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.”
Ephesians 3:17

The Lord is here for you and trusting Him gives you a strong foundation to live your life . . . Allowing Him into your heart is like a warm blanket on a cold day—you can feel safe and confident in the warmth of His love, no matter what storms the world throws at you.

Do you trust yourself to believe in the unseen—have the faith to get to know Him better?
He wants to be here for you today—do you trust God like Christ trusted?
Just ask Him to help you trust . . . to reach a level of confidence in His Love.

Open your eyes and heart, listen for God . . . and continually pray for guidance to be able to take the risk to be vulnerable as you TRUST in the Lord.

TALK WITH GOD—no breath is lost . . . WALK WITH GOD—no strength is lost . . .
WAIT FOR GOD—no time is lost . . . TRUST IN GOD—you are never lost!

May you place your trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Lean on Him for guidance and wisdom in all you do.
May God make your paths straight, remove any obstacles that may lead you astray,
And grant you the clarity to discern His will in your life. –Amen

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