Whom Do You Trust?
Trust can be hard to earn yet easily broken. We readily place our confidence in all manner of things and people. We trust the cashier to get our order correct. We trust Google maps will guide us to our destination. Of all the people and institutions in which we place our trust, none of them are infallible. Regrettably, we do not always place our confidence in God as quickly as we do strangers.
However, the Bible provides countless examples of God’s trustworthiness. Noah built the ark and survived the flood having never seen rain (Genesis 6-8). God delivered a son to Abraham despite his advanced age (Genesis 21). God provided for the Israelites despite their complaints and rebellion (Exodus 16). These imperfect people trusted God in impossible situations, and we should too.
I learned this intimately while raising a son diagnosed with autism. I never doubted that God was good. Still, fear stalked me at every turn and autism affected over every decision. My three-year old was barely talking. I knew that God could remedy the situation, but would He?
Broken trust leaves us skeptical and reluctant. We can inadvertently transfer our expectations and disappointments with people to our Lord. Yet God is omnipotent beyond the inadequacies of man. I suspect our reluctance to trust God has less to do with His ability than it does with the fear of not getting what we want.
Our Father’s ways are not our ways. Subsequently, His solutions are not always what we expect. Answered prayer is often incremental. God’s answers may leave us in tears. Nevertheless, the peace and joy that we long for comes from relying less on ourselves and more on God’s grace and guidance. The promptings of the Holy Spirit work to save us from ourselves and provide the abundant life Christ died to give us.
My son is now an adult living independently. About six months after that initial diagnosis, a stray cat appeared outside of our home. I was frustrated when my husband brought it inside. My anger quickly subsided when my son began speaking in complete sentences a few days later. He was eager to tell everyone about his new cat.
Trust God to do it His way.
Questions for Reflection:
1. In what areas of your life do you reluctantly trust God? Why?
2. Reflect on an occasion when God proved Himself trustworthy.
3. What steps can you take to trust God more?
