Trust is Earned

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6

A man was once asked, “What did you gain by regularly praying to God? His reply was, “Nothing. But let me tell you what I lost: anger, ego, greed, depression, insecurity and fear of death.” Sometimes the answers to our prayers is not gaining but losing, which is ultimately the gain.

We’ve heard the expression, “Trust is earned,” but in God’s world, trust is learned. We learn through some rough patches how trustworthy God is. It’s enough that his Son died for us but he doesn’t leave us there. God continues to lead us through the most perilous situations. We’ve heard the statement, “If God brought us to it, he leads us through it.” Yet the emotions cloud what we’re going through. The Book of Ecclesiastes artfully describes the contrasts of life such as mourning and dancing, gathering and throwing stones. Such is life here. Murky, shadowy, uncertain and scary.

 We are not abandoned, though our head and feelings say differently. We have options. We have community, spiritual counselors, wonderful books including the Bible to light the way. We have a perfect picture of trust in Jesus. He was abandoned by everyone including his Father to help you. To help me. Some day trust will be moot and we will abide in perfect love.

Musings

Unfortunately, we have dark images of our Father probably due to early childhood authority figures. It’s hard to trust in him when we carry that baggage. Faith is a trust walk and it’s done a day at a time. We learn to share our “stories” with our Father, no matter how shameful, painful or scary. We don’t get to see what’s ahead in our journey most times. Baby steps are required with grace and, sometimes slowly, our lives become better than we can imagine. Let’s trust walk together today.

Prayer

Dear Father,

We don’t know what today has in store for us but we know you’re with us no matter the outcome. Help us to grab hold of you in trust that nothing comes to us without your presence, guidance and love. Even Satan had to ask you to “sift Peter like wheat.” Though it was agonizing, Peter became a critical part of your church. Redeem our pain and let us see just how much we can trust you. No one can love us like you do. Today we trust.

Amen