Trust.
This is a feeling that many of us often struggle with, especially if we’ve been hurt by others. This was the year that God invited me to finally trust Him. Don’t read what I’m not saying. God has wanted me to trust Him for a very long time. It’s just that this is the year I finally took the plunge and agreed to trust Him with everything. Yes, everything.
Has it been easy? Yes and no. Has it been worth it? Absolutely!
I was listening to someone talk about anxiety today, and I had a revelation of what I had learned most about trusting God. I learned peace. I learned the feeling of peace from giving my worries to God and knowing He will take care of them. I learned I can sit in a day of anxiety and still know things will turn out as intended. I learned I can accept when I don’t know the whole plan as long as I work on the part of the plan I’m currently living.
I don’t get things right all the time. I don’t always handle things well. My plans often fail, but on those days, I still know I can trust God to give me peace regardless of the circumstances. It reminds me of some of my favorite Bible verses when Paul wrote the congregation at Philippi.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your graciousness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things. Do what you have learned and received and heard from me, and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:4-9, CSB)
Trusting God to lead us brings a feeling a peace, as Paul wrote, that goes beyond our comprehension. We can’t explain it. We can’t describe it. It is what it is. Only those who have experienced it or whose hearts are open to the Holy Spirit will understand what we mean when we say we have this kind of peace.
It can be difficult to let God lead and hard for us to place trust in Him, but this year has been so much easier to deal with because of my trust in Him. I’m not saying the world is great right now. I’m not saying things are going just how I planned. I’m simply saying that putting my trust in God this year has allowed me to deal with the world when it isn’t looking good and things aren’t going as planned. I’m trusting God to handle what is beyond my control and to help me do what is in my control. I’m at peace with those results, and I pray others can find the same shelter.
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act, making your righteousness shine like the dawn, your justice like the noonday. Be silent before the Lord and wait expectantly for him; do not be agitated by one who prospers in his way, by the person who carries out evil plans. (Psalm 37:5-7, CSB)
All Things Subject to Change 