Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
How much do you really trust God? So many of us have been taught to ‘say’ certain religious words without ever considering if we truly believe them in the depths of our heart and soul. The only way we gain real trust is by the testing of it. Trust is built over time and life experience. Trust is NOT faith. Trust has to do with the relational aspect of our lives. Trust can be lost if the person in whom you had trust betrays you, lies to you, or belittles you. Our faith is a divinely implanted substance given to us by God Himself. Faith is what allows us to know He is real. Trust is what comes when we begin to obey Him usually in the ‘hard’ place. We find out He is faithful and true by watching Him work in our lives.
Many people make religious statements without really meaning it, as in they never consider those statements outside of the religious meeting. To really trust God means stepping out in faith when He asks you to do something. And that ‘thing’ is usually beyond our comfort zone, which requires the implanted faith within us. Are the things God is asking you to do invading every area of your life? God is into the intimate details of your life. So this requires an intimate conversation with the Holy Spirit – to learn how He wants you to change – even in the smallest of ways. Do you trust Him in those areas to know what is best for you? What do you think it means to “not lean on your own understanding” even in the practical things? Can you hear Him when He wants to change up your daily routine? Even Paul sets out a HIGH standard on the little things, like even thoughts, that even each thought needs to be brought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). So shouldn’t we do this as well with our feelings and emotions? Bringing them as well before Him so that we can navigate them correctly?
Acknowledging God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit — in everything you do — by keeping your mind aware and awake of His Presence is a discipline we all need to learn and continue to learn in greater depths. When we do this God makes it ALL things work together for our ‘good’ — even our mistakes and failures, which is incredibly amazing to me. He receives all the glory for what He is doing in our lives.
Confession? Many, many times my path has been FAR from straight. It seems I’ve made one too many trips around the mountain while I failed a ‘test’. But when I acknowledge Him and agree with the conviction of the Holy Spirit and repent — the path somehow gets straighter. The best thing I can do is acknowledge Him and tell Him my true heart.
So if you feel like you are being tested, and challenged … TRUST HIM. Trust Him to guide you. Trust Him to give you what you need to endure through it no matter how long it takes. Trust His love for you. Trust Him when it comes to your ‘supply’ and health for He is your Source. When you go through the ‘valley of the shadow of death’ with Him — you will learn to not fear for you will KNOW by experience He is with you. When you face the inevitable shortage do you trust Him to make it enough or multiply what little you have?
It takes time, tests, and challenges to learn to trust what is real. Jesus IS real. The voice of the Holy Spirit IS real. Learn to listen to Him. Learn to obey Him.
Trust and obey,
For there is no other way,
To be happy in Jesus,
But to trust and obey.
Sometimes the children’s songs are a real reminder of our foundation.
Ask Him what He wants you to do today.