admin
Life is not predictable. There are ups and downs along the way. Many of us want to trust God. When times are good, it can feel easier. But when times feel difficult, it is even more important to trust God. God’s unchanging character can give us a firm foundation when things feel unsteady and uncertain.
Life can be going along smoothly for a season. Your job is satisfying. Your friends and family are enjoyable. Your goals, finances, health and outlook seem bright. Then, all of a sudden, life throws a curveball.
Someone you know gets sick. You lose your job. A friend or family member betrays you. The things you felt secure in all of a sudden feel shaky and uncertain.
How do you trust that God is good in these circumstances?
To trust is to believe in the reliability, truth, ability or strength of something. So, when it comes to trusting God, that means believing in his reliability, his word, his ability and his strength. The Bible says that God cannot lie. That he always keeps his promises. That he loves you and has good in store for you. Trusting in him means believing what he says about himself, about the world and about you is true.
Trusting God is not about ignoring your feelings or reality. It is not pretending that everything is well when it is not. Trusting God is living a life of belief in and obedience to God even when it is difficult.
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7, New International Version)
You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in Your book. (Psalm 56:8, New Living Translation)
Because God loves you, you can show your trust in him by talking about all your feelings and circumstances with him — the good and hard — through prayer. Do not let your emotions rule your life; bring them to God so he can help you address them. He is not disappointed or frustrated by your struggles, doubts or pain. He cares about you, and you can trust him with those things.
“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” He said to them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from Him. “Abba, Father,” He said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:34-36, NIV)
Jesus himself felt overwhelmed by what was before him, and he went straight to his Father.
Ways to trust God in your everyday life:
- Seek truth in scripture
Scripture, or the Bible, is God’s Word. God knows you need somewhere to go when you feel unsure. That place is his word. It is unchanging and completely trustworthy.
You need a strong foundation of Scripture to stand on, especially when you feel uncertain. The Bible is God’s unfailing, unchanging Word. You can cling to its truth when life throws you a curveball.
- Confess unbelief
Be honest. Allow God to remind you who he is and what he promises, and then be honest with him. You can tell God how you feel and in what areas of your life you are struggling to trust him.
It is one thing to know the truth. But it is sometimes hard to believe it when life takes unexpected turns. You are human. You are able to confess to God when your feelings and beliefs are not lining up with his truth. You can ask him to help you believe what he says is true.
This helps you accept that God is bigger than you could ever understand. Confession helps you to humble yourself and allows you to grow in trust. He hears your requests and answers them. He wants to help you grow your faith.
- Share your concerns with your community
You are not facing these difficult times alone. The Lord is walking with you every step of the way. He also gives you other believers to walk with.
- Remember God and spend time with him
God is bigger than your circumstances. Difficult times may feel like they last forever, but they are temporary. God is present amid the bad times as well as the good. He is always faithful.
- Look for things to be grateful for
Difficult circumstances feel all-consuming at times. It is really hard to see past them to other good things going on. But God’s grace is in all things. In your waking up. In a sunny day. In a call from a friend. He is in all of it.
But those good times often get overshadowed by other more complicated things going on. In the face of those difficulties, God shares his will for you and how you should respond to them.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV). – cru.org
- Wait on the Lord
The Holy Spirit will lead you to what you should do. Sometimes what you need to do is wait. Faithfully continue to seek the Lord, but wait on his timing. Wait on him to act on your behalf. Wait on him to do what you cannot do yourself.
In the book of Isaiah, God responds to the Israelites who thought that God had turned away from them. He reminds them that he does not sleep or take a break. He always sees them and is always working for their good.
Online Reporter