Building Trust
- Matthew Smith
- Dec 22, 2017
- 7 min read
I’m learning each day how to trust God more and more. This endeavor goes beyond trusting God in moments of bliss but more importantly it means trusting God in moments of loneliness, despair, and hopelessness. It encompasses letting go of the fantasy in our minds regarding how life will turn out. Furthermore, it involves coming to the conclusion that “every job will not be prosperous, every relationship will not work, and everything you desire will not be good for you.”
You will feel vulnerable when you truly decide to trust God and allow Him to take control. I have a hard time dealing with the fear of the unknown. It is safe to say that I freak out when things do not go the way I planned. Bishop TD Jakes touched on this topic in a sermon where he emphasized “for we know not” (Romans 8:26). He explained that uncertainty is at its height when we are in the middle of something (the journey to the destination has the most value). In addition, he focused on God’s glory showing up when we say to God “for we know not”. There is no room for God in a mind that is full of self. God cannot take control as long as you are in control. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. God wants to give you glory in the uncertainty, when you feel vulnerable, when you want to give up, when you are frustrated, confused, and even overwhelmed.
My spiritual leader made the following statement, “we can’t minimize the power God because we trip or get frustrated over things because it didn’t go the way we wanted.” Somethings are just shattered and broken; there’s nothing we can do to fix it except seek God. Don’t let the holes of life prevent you from becoming whole. Stop being a prisoner of your own emotions. “Everybody wants to be great but no one wants to be processed.” To be proven you must be tested. “When you are tried in the highest temperature impurities rise.” Failure is necessary in order to be processed by God. Trust God when you feel broken. He’s still God in spite of your situation. Don’t allow what you see or feel to alter what you believe. Just remember, the greater the struggle the greater the testimony. Lastly, the harder the trial the more God can get out of you.
As humans we focus so much on our needs, this causes us to minimize God’s will and purpose for our lives. Our purpose was never designed for us to be glorified, it was designed that we might be used by God and he be glorified. Your calling was never meant to be comfortable but suitable. Learn to be still in your discomfort and don’t doubt God in your situation. Our inability to be still reveals our true level of trust in God. Like Peter, we must get out of the boat (our comfort zone) and trust God to walk on water (capitalize on the unexpected or the unknown). I’m reminded of the story involving Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3:17). They stated to Nebuchadnezzar, “If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.” Even in uncertainty and discomfort stand on God’s word, believe and trust his promise for your life.
Can I trust God with my flaws? Can I trust him with the areas of my life that need work? Can I trust God with the past mistakes I’ve made and the shameful experiences I faced? Can I trust God with the things I love most and don’t want to let go? How can I trust God when I cannot see him? How can I trust God when at times I cannot hear or feel him? How can I trust God who allowed me to experience things that I don’t understand? How can I trust God when I don’t trust or love myself? These questions have come to mind in this journey called life. I have struggled and at times still do with finding answers to these questions. As I sit here and write, what if the roles were reversed and God asked similar questions: Can I trust you even though you turn back to sin time and time again? Can I trust you when you take for granted the blessings I give you each day? Can I trust you even though there have been many times you denied me? Can I trust you even though you ignored my warnings to not go after a forbidden thing? Can I trust you when you’ve given your heart and love to others in broken relationships instead of me? God would be justified in asking these questions but he doesn’t allow our mistakes and sinful nature to interfere with his plan and purpose for our lives. In addition, he sent his son to save us from what we deserve (the penalty of sin which is death). The unconditional love of God is an assurance that we can trust him.
I was talking to a friend of mine and she brought up an important point: we’re so focused on the conditions we face in the moment and fail to realize God’s hand in everything. He allows us to go through trials and tribulations, many times we forget that he has an expected end for our lives. We may be just experiencing the first chapters of our lives and we fail to remember that God is the author and finisher of our faith. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”(Jeremiah 29:11) Remind yourself of the times God brought you through difficult situations. In your times of despair say the following affirmation: “Even in my toughest moments I am still undefeated.”
My spiritual leader touched on the topic “It Was Necessary”. The trials and tribulations we face in life were necessary to bring us closer to God. He focused on my favorite bible scripture Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Everything you go through serves a purpose, the events that transpired in life were specific to your journey. It might hurt and disappoint you but just know that it is working for your good. Always remember, “We have sufferings now, but these are nothing compared to the great glory that will be given to us.” (Romans 8:18/ERV)
There’s freedom, peace, and liberty once we decide to trust God. Through every trial and tribulation he’s only building you. I was listening to a song recently and the soloist sang the following line, “What hindered love will only become a part of your story”. The secret of your life that you want to hide and forget is what God wants to use for his glory. I had a childhood experience that caused me to question who I was. In addition, I was confused on who I was attracted to. I was afraid to share my confusion with others because I thought that I would be judged. It became a secret and tormented me into my college years. It wasn’t until my senior year of undergrad that I decided to share my past with a dear friend. Contrary to my belief she didn’t judge me, she encouraged me to write about the experience and my feelings toward it. I took her advice and started to journal, this one step turned into a routine where I would write my thoughts and feelings out. Today I can truly say that I am free, no longer hurt or confused, and God has used my writing to touch the lives of others. He used my childhood experience for his glory and through that struggle he blessed me to write. Always remember, there’s a blessing in your struggle, trust God and believe that ALL things work together for your good.
I am grateful because God has put me in a position to live out what I am writing about. These past few months have been very hard for me to trust God. I still have difficult days but God is building and guiding me in this uncomfortable season. It should be noted I have always been fascinated with the caterpillar to butterfly life cycle. Moreover, if I were to ask a butterfly for life advice it would simply say “trust the creator and his process”. I found a memorable quote online that stated, “A season of loneliness and isolation is when the caterpillar gets its wings.” Trust God, watch the miracle take place, and let your wings tell the story.
-CHRONYBE
Scriptures
We have to recognize that we can depend on God. Life was not meant to be experienced alone. God is faithful and with you no matter the circumstance, the apostle Paul stated the following in
2 Corinthians:12 (ERV) - “7 But I must not be too proud of the wonderful things that were shown to me. So a painful problem[b] was given to me—an angel from Satan, sent to make me suffer, so that I would not think that I am better than anyone else. 8 I begged the Lord three times to take this problem away from me. 9 But the Lord said, “My grace is all you need. Only when you are weak can everything be done completely by my power.” So I will gladly boast about my weaknesses. Then Christ’s power can stay in me. 10 Yes, I am glad to have weaknesses if they are for Christ. I am glad to be insulted and have hard times. I am glad when I am persecuted and have problems, because it is when I am weak that I am really strong.”
Psalm 34:17-22 (ERV) - 17 Pray to the Lord, and he will hear you. He will save you from all your troubles. 18 The Lord is close to those who have suffered disappointment. He saves those who are discouraged. 19 Good people might have many problems, but the Lord will take them all away. 20 He will protect them completely. Not one of their bones will be broken. 21 But troubles will kill the wicked. The enemies of those who live right will all be punished. 22 The Lord saves his servants. All who go to him for protection will escape punishment.
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