Trust Me...

Where do trust issues come from? This is a question I asked for a long time. I have struggled for most of my life with trust. Our scripture passage today is Psalm 62: 5-12 and it talks about trusting God “at all times.” That is hard.

Verses 7 and 8 say,

“7 My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.”

While trusting others is tough, I find that trusting God to be a challenge as well. Why? If God is good and God is love, shouldn’t we trust him “at all times” like the Psalmist says? I think our struggle with trust comes when,

Our expectations ≠ Our reality

We have expectations for how we believe we should be treated. Our passage today uses the word “honor”. If we receive less than we expect our trust is shaken. This can even happen with our relationship with God. If we think we deserve different treatment from him, our trust in him falters. It’s hard to say and mean, “Thy will be done.”

How do we remedy our trust issues with God? I believe the only way is to get to know him. Please don’t think this a cliché “church” answer. God is very real and if we spend time talking to him, he will help our heart see and believe that he is both love and good.

If we spend time in the word, we will learn who he is and how he works, allowing us to not have misplaced expectations. God won’t fail us, but his provision is not always what we desire.

Finally, if you really struggle with trust maybe get a good book on the topic. I have read, Transforming Grace, by Jerry Bridges and it opened my eyes to my misplaced expectations.

The neat thing about mending our trust issues with God… it will also mend any problems we have trusting others because we will only go to God for our honor.

Read the entire passage here Psalms 62:5-12

1Timothy 1: 12-16

The Lord’s Grace to Paul and Us

Does not the Lord make example of people and situations in our lives in order to reveal himself or draw us closer to Him? Would you agree there have been times when you have felt or said; “That was a God thing?”

Paul was definitely “A God Thing” and he knew it. In 1 Timothy 1:15-16 Paul wrote something worth remembering; “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who believe on him and receive eternal life.” Yes, believe “on” him.

As we travel this journey of life and make ourselves aware of the trials and struggles others face, we can learn from their mistakes as well as triumphs. We can gain wisdom from their tears and their anger. Just as God is a relational God, we too are relational human beings in need of others.

 At times we may be the example, support or love needed by another, yet other times we are the one in need of a rock to lean on, a Paul in our life who can help us make sense of our situation.

Paul’s heart grew into one of passion and compassion for God and people. He is such an incredible example of transformation there are 13 books in the bible written by him.

Romans 
1 Corinthians 
2 Corinthians 
Galatians 
Ephesians 
Philippians 
Colossians 
1 Thessalonians 
2 Thessalonians 
1 Timothy 
2 Timothy 
Titus 
Philemon

No one knows for sure who wrote Hebrews, but if it was Paul, then his total is at 14.

Paul had to tell his story, through the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. What a blessing for us!

Dear God,

We thank you for your gracious and unending love. You shower us with blessings we do not even acknowledge and offer us new mercies every day regardless of our gratefulness. Your forgiveness for Paul and for us goes far beyond reasonable in our limited minds, but we are so very humbled and honored to call ourselves your children. We will focus on you Lord, and though we too are the worst of sinners, we will use Paul as our example and you Christ, as our Rock.

Read/Listen to 1 Timothy 1: 12-16

2 Samuel 22:29-31

"You never learn faith in comfortable surroundings."  A.B. Simpson

Don't you find the most powerful lessons you learn are those which caused the most struggle?  It is true for me that I must wrestle with a thought or idea before it can mature, or come full circle.  Maybe that is why I love to brainstorm with people.  The creative energy that 4 or 5 different minds can bring to a project is astounding and energizing.  As my fellow team mates and I dive into the deep end and get a sense of just how far over our heads the water really is, we also come to realize that it only takes one buoyant idea to be tossed into the mix for each of us to grab on.

When a seemingly impossible task at home, project at work, or life in general overwhelms us, it is God who will save us, who will show us the way.  We all know just how difficult things can get and how puzzled we sometimes are as we trudge through, learning as we go.  There are some situations we just cannot prepare for, we just have to be prayed up daily, always ready to turn to God for our needs.

It was the morning following the one year anniversary of my husband's death when I was reading from one of my devotionals, and remembering just how difficult the past year had been, yet how I was feeling like I had come out on the other side of my grief.  I was praising God for His faithfulness and when I turned to Scripture I was reminded of God's promise to always be there for us and with us.  "...with my God I can scale a wall."  2 Samuel 22:30

I do feel like this often, but especially after spending time in His Word.  On those occasions when I will dedicate a day to prayer and fasting, His power is even more evident.  I pray that you too experience God's presence in your life.  I hope you hear Him talking to your heart and guiding your spirit when you need it most.  But mostly I pray that you hear Him even in the calm.

Read 2 Samuel 22:29:31 here

Listen to 2 Samuel 22:29-31 here

This week I am writing on six of my favorite verses.  I thought this might be interesting.  Each of these verses God used to speak to me in some way during the first five months of this year.  I would love to hear from each of you, about your favorite verse, and how God used it to show his love in your life.  Feel free to comment below or if you prefer, you can email me here.