If we’re to trust God, and if He is trustworthy, then what are we to trust Him with?
Trust is not expecting that He’ll make things work out the way we always want. That’s not trusting God — it’s conjuring up a stupid and mean genie. For much of what we think should happen is dead wrong, destructive, and unloving. If only we would trust in the One who loves us to make things work out the way He wants. Often times, we discover that His plan is really what we wanted all along.
THE TRUST GOD APPEARS TO DESIRE FROM US SEEMS TO COME DOWN TO THESE BELIEFS ABOUT GOD:
- He is completely able and willing to protect my world.
- He loves me more than I will ever be able to love myself.
- He will do for me only what is best for me.
- He has proven Himself worthy of my trust and submission
And having those beliefs about God come down to these beliefs about myself:
- I cannot protect my world.
- I cannot trust myself with all that concerns me.
- I need to not be the judge or take things into my own hands.
- I must learn to trust His character. Trust who He says I am in Him. Then, wait, do right, live in humility, work faithfully, enjoy, forgive, love, repent, affirm… lather, rinse, repeat.
SO I TAKE THE TRUTH OF GOD'S CHARACTER, ABILITY, AND GOODNESS AND I LAY THEM OVER EVERY EVENT ENTERING MY EXPERIENCE IN THIS LIFE.
Then I respond out of that safety, protection, strength, love, beauty. This will radically, revolutionize you!
It changes how you see life, how you respond to life, how you interact with others, how well you’re enjoyed, how well you face adversity, how well you enjoy life!
And sometimes…
Sometimes, it doesn’t rain and crops die. Sometimes the worst thing imaginable happens. And sometimes it doesn’t make sense, and sometimes you cry out and it doesn’t seem like He’s listening, and sometimes it feels like He takes you past what you can bear.
Ah, but this is when the magic happens — reality is spun on its head and the effects and events of evil and wrong somehow all turn into good on my behalf and for those who I care about. This is the promise of Romans 8:28. Paul tells us that not all things are good. In fact, some are horrible and evil.
BUT, FOR THOSE WHO HAVE PUT THEIR TRUST IN GOD, HE PROMISES TO TURN EVERY SINGLE HORRIBLE, EVIL, EVENT OF OUR LIVES, INTO GOOD — FOR OUR BEST AND HIS GLORY!
That’s crazy talk! But it is exactly what Jesus purchased at the cross.
Self-protection is an oxymoron. Many of us have been pretending we can self-protect. And it is killing us.
Those who decide to risk trusting God have a great life — no matter what comes. They’re more alive, more free, more playful, more enjoyed, more trusted, more loved, more at peace, more others-centered, more generous, and more grateful. They smile more, judge less, are safer for others, and they are deeply and wonderfully in awe, and in love with God.
At the cross, He earned my trust. Either He’s fully trustworthy in every area or you and I worship a liar.
It’s not too late. The dye is not set. I’m trying this world out too. It’s scary and it feels like I’m giving up a lot of control. But I’m tired and I’m weary of the emptiness of my inability to run or protect my world. He’s promised His protection. It’s time we took Him up on it.
John Lynch not only talks a lot about grace, he embodies grace in his interactions with those around him. And when he doesn’t, he’ll talk about that too. Besides his transparency, we love John because he is good at seeing people as God sees them, and calling it out to them. Plus he wears fun shoes. This article is shared from JohnLynchSpeaks.com
Photo by Baron Patro from FreeImages
