Finding Freedom: Trusting God

Scriptures: Psalms 100:5, John 5:24, Isaiah 55:9, Nahum 1:7, Psalms 62:1-2

Trusting God When You Don’t Understand

Trust God. This might have been the phrase a well-meaning friend said to you when you were going through something you didn’t understand. Even though they meant well, it doesn’t always feel like the most helpful advice. How do you just flip a switch and decide to start trusting God?

Well, think of someone in your life who you do trust. Why do you trust them? Is it because they’ve proven that they keep their word? Or maybe they’re easy to trust because you know their motivations. You believe that they love you and want the best for you.

The same is true about God. He keeps His promises, His motivations are pure, and He loves you more than you can imagine. If you want proof, you don’t have to look far to see how much He loves you. The Bible tells us a lot about His character and the motivation behind His actions.

Throughout the Bible, God shows us He is faithful. He blesses Abraham and Sarah with a child in their old age. He saves Joseph’s entire family from seven years of famine. He rescues His people from slavery in Egypt by parting the Red Sea. And in an ultimate display of love for us, He sends His only Son to die in our place so that we can spend eternity in Heaven with Him.

God has proven over and over throughout Scripture that He is a promise-keeper and His plans for us are good. If we look for them, we likely have countless examples in our own lives of His love and good intentions. Even so, it can still be hard to take the leap and trust Him, especially when we’re going through a difficult time. It doesn’t mean His promises are any less true.

It was likely hard for the people in the Bible to continue to trust God too. Abraham and Sarah struggled with infertility for decades before they had Issac. Joseph was sold into slavery and wrongly imprisoned so that he could be in the position to save his family when the famine hit. The Israelites were mistreated for centuries before God led them out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. And yet, in every single one of these stories, God was faithful. He blessed, He rescued, and He provided for His people.

As we read the Bible, we have the benefit of knowing the whole story. We can zoom out and see the full picture. We can easily see how God moved in the lives of His people to work everything for their good. Unfortunately, we don’t have the ability to see our full story. We only see a small piece of the big picture. When we’re zoomed in and focused on our momentary struggles, it can be hard to trust God. But if we take a deep breath and zoom out to remember the times God has been faithful to us and the promises He has made to give us an abundant life and an eternity with Him, we will find peace.

If you’re struggling to trust God, maybe you need to shift your perspective. Consider what you know about God’s character. If you don’t know stories about His faithfulness and His promises for us, read the Bible and get to know Him better. Reflect on the times when you’ve seen God move in your life and draw on those memories whenever you start to doubt. Notice when you’re too focused on your circumstances and choose to zoom out and meditate on God’s love. The more you practice trusting God in the small things, the easier it will become to trust God in the midst of a storm.

Whatever struggle, setback, or failure you’re going through, trust that God is on your side and is working everything for your good. You may not understand the big picture today, in five years, or ever, but because you know who God is and how deeply He loves you, you can trust you’re safe in His hands.

Scriptures: Daniel 6:10, Proverbs 3:5, Isaiah 12:2, Hebrews 5:7, Romans 8:28, Psalms 145:13, Psalms 56:8, Psalms 56:9-11

Trusting God When He Doesn’t Answer Your Prayer

Most of us can probably think of a time when we asked God for something and He didn’t answer our prayer the way we wanted. With a little distance, sometimes we can see how God was protecting us. Other times, it just feels unfair, confusing, or painful. In those moments, we have two options. We can either choose to trust God, or not.

The Bible is full of stories about people who chose to trust God, even when things didn’t go their way. For example, Daniel was taken from his home in Jerusalem and forced into Babylonian captivity. Through all the fear and uncertainty he must have felt, he continued to pray three times a day, just as he’d done before.

We don’t know what he prayed for, but it’s probably safe to guess that Daniel asked God to rescue the Israelites and return them to their homeland. Yet, the Israelites were held captive for 70 years. Instead of freedom, Daniel served a foreign king for most of his life and was even thrown in the lion’s den for worshiping God.

Daniel could have easily been discouraged by his circumstances and turned from God. But after several years of praying consistently, Daniel would have known God intimately. He would have seen God’s goodness and grace throughout his life. He would have been able to point to countless times God gave him strength, poured out wisdom, and performed miracles. And because of God’s faithfulness in his past, Daniel would have known that he could also trust God with his future.

Scripture tells us that God’s ways are higher than ours, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. There are countless reasons why it may seem like your prayers go unanswered. Maybe God has something better for you, or He’s protecting you. Maybe He needs you to grow, or the timing just isn’t right.

Maybe it isn’t even about you. Daniel had no way of knowing that his story would be told centuries later or that God would use his circumstances to strengthen our faith.Whether you ever know it or not, God will use your story to impact the lives of people around you. There may even be ripple effects that impact and encourage people you’ll never meet.

Maybe you’ve lived a difficult life and it’s hard to see God’s faithfulness in your story. If so, look to the stories in the Bible like Daniel’s to find hope, comfort, and reassurance. Daniel’s God is your God too, and He hasn’t changed. He still does miracles, He still lends us His strength, and He still saves.

Any time you feel unsure about God’s direction for your life, look to Scripture and focus on what you know to be true. God is loving, kind, and merciful. He loves to give you good gifts. He has a plan and a purpose for your life. He will use everything that happens to you for your good. He loves you deeply and was willing to sacrifice greatly to be with you. A love like that is worthy of your trust.

You may be going through one of the hardest times of your life. Maybe you’re healing from a failed marriage, struggling with infertility, or grieving the loss of a loved one. Maybe you’re upset that life hasn’t turned out the way you expected. No matter what you’re going through right now, you can trust God with your heart. Bring Him your heartache, your frustration, and your unease. He can take it all, and He wants to hear it all. Instead of allowing it to pull you away from God, let it draw you closer to Him.

Scriptures: Jonah 1:3, Esther 4:13-16, Luke 22:42, Psalms 85:13, Hosea 2:6, Matthew 16:24-25, Romans 8:1-2, Galatians 5:13

Trusting God When You Don’t Want To

It’s human nature to want to follow the path of least resistance. When given the choice, we often prefer to act selfishly because it’s what comes easiest. On the contrary, Christian living is difficult. God often asks us to set aside our selfish desires and choose what has eternal value over what has earthly value.

When we don’t want to do what God asks us to do, what we’re really saying is we don’t trust Him. Maybe we think God doesn’t know what He’s doing, or we don’t believe He has our best interest at heart. Either way, we’re not alone. Plenty of people in the Bible had difficulty trusting God right away. There’s nothing wrong with feeling uncertain. It’s what we do after that emotional reaction that matters.

In the Old Testament, God told a man named Jonah to go to Nineveh and warn the people that if they didn’t turn from their wicked ways, God would destroy them. However, the Bible tells us Jonah went in the opposite direction. Instead of surrendering his desires and choosing God’s will, Jonah trusted his own plans. But it didn’t go well for him. He ended up being thrown overboard and stuck in the belly of a whale for three days, before eventually going to Nineveh anyway.

While Jonah’s story is pretty extreme, we often do the same thing. We run from God. We choose not to trust and obey Him. We refuse to surrender what we want for what is God-honoring. But it’s not always with a rebellious spirit. Sometimes we’re afraid to surrender because we know it will require a significant sacrifice.

Let’s look at the story of Esther. She had favor with the King of Persia and was in the perfect position to save the Israelites when one of the king’s men wanted them dead. But she was afraid. It was against the law to approach the king without being summoned, and he could have her put to death. In the end, her uncle helped her see that it was her purpose, and God used her to save His people again.

What God asks us to do often isn’t easy. It takes sacrifice on our part. It takes a willingness to humble ourselves and acknowledge we don’t know everything. It takes trust. But that trust isn’t blind. We know who God is and we’ve seen all He has done, so we can trust His promises for our future. Then, it is our trust that enables us to be obedient.

The best biblical example of obedience is Jesus. Being fully God and fully man, the human side of Him didn’t want to go to the cross. He knew there would be unmeasurable pain and loss. He asked God to spare Him if there was any other way. But ultimately, Jesus chose to be obedient and surrendered His human desires saying, “not my will but yours.”

If you’re having difficulty trusting God, ask yourself why. Are you afraid of the unknown? Hesitant to make a sacrifice? Or are you perhaps unwilling to give up sinful behavior?

Even when we recognize it’s harmful to us, sinning can be hard to stop because at least we know what to expect if we continue. Stopping requires a different kind of faith, but we can rest assured that God has better for us on the other side. Like we saw in Jonah’s story, disobedience often leads to more heartache, hurt, and struggle, and when necessary, God may even block our rebellious path to draw us back to Him.

There’s protection and blessings when we walk with God. That doesn’t mean there won’t be sacrifice. When we choose to follow Christ, we lay down our old lives so that we can become more like Jesus. We acknowledge that our lives are no longer our own, but His. When we choose His will, we may lose our friends, reputation, and comfort. But living a life of sacrifice for Jesus is more plentiful than a life without Him.

Choosing to trust God, surrender to His will, and be obedient to Him actually gives us freedom. It allows us to walk in His righteousness, without guilt and shame. It helps us walk in boldness, believing that He is good, His plans for us are good, and our future is secure. A life of surrender is an abundant life.

So, what’s holding you back from surrendering and trusting God? Set it aside. Honor God with your decisions, no matter the cost. Choose to start walking in freedom today.

Scriptures: Exodus 14:14, Exodus 17:10-13, Exodus 4:10-12, Romans 15:13, 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, Matthew 11:28-30, Isaiah 40:29-31, Exodus 15:2-3

Trusting God When You Want to Give Up

Sometimes life can feel overwhelming. It can seem as if there’s always one thing after another and the hits will never stop coming. In moments like that, it can be so hard to see past our current struggles that we want to give up. Even the most faith-filled people have a breaking point. When we reach that point, the best thing we can do is just sit in God’s presence.

Psalm 46 says, “Be still and know that I am God.”

It can be hard to slow down, especially when we feel like everything will fall apart without us. While it may feel unproductive, the reality is that being still isn’t the same as being lazy or inactive. It’s a show of trust and an act of worship to fully surrender and just be.

When we’re still, we’re not striving. We’re not busy trying to control everything and everyone around us. Instead, we’re humbling ourselves and letting the Lord fight our battles. When we’re still, we allow our minds to slow down so that we can see things more clearly. In our stillness, God renews our strength. When we feel depleted, we need to spend time in God’s presence to help us recenter. Sometimes we also need additional support from the people around us.

In the book of Exodus, there’s a story about Moses leading the Israelites into battle. As long as he held his staff in the air, the Israelites had the advantage. Whenever he got tired and put his arms down, the Israelites would lose ground. Eventually Moses couldn’t keep his arms up anymore. Instead of giving up, Aaron and Hur stood beside Moses and held his arms until the Israelites won the battle.

We weren’t meant to go through life alone. We need people around us who will hold us up when we don’t have the strength to keep going. We need people who will encourage us, sharpen us, and enrich our faith in ways we couldn’t achieve on our own. When we have Christ-centered community, our friends help us see God’s faithfulness through a different lens that multiplies our trust in Him. And whenever we feel discouraged, they help us remember what matters most, which is what God says about us.

Moses didn’t feel equipped to lead the Israelites, and he almost gave up before his story even started. He worried that he would stumble over his words and that no one would follow him. Moses even argued with God and told Him to find someone else! But God reminded Moses that he was created for this purpose and that his mouth was designed to speak, inspire, and lead the Israelites into freedom. God promised to stay with Moses and give him the perfect words to say, at just the right time. He even sent Aaron as a helper.

When we feel inadequate, we can rely on those same truths. God created each of us on purpose and for a purpose. Not one thing about our design was a mistake. He has given us everything we need to live out our calling, and He has promised to never leave our side. His Spirit is always guiding us, and He stands ready to do miracles through us, for His glory.

Maybe you’re feeling exhausted, stressed, or incapable right now. Maybe you’re overwhelmed and ready to give up. Just pause. Take a deep breath, and turn to God. He will supply everything you need. If you’re tired, He will give you rest. If you’re discouraged, He will inspire you. If you feel weak, He will empower you. If you’re empty, He will refill your cup. Make the choice to believe that God is enough.

You may be reading this and thinking that it won’t work. That some hurts are too big for a quick fix. If you feel like you’re stuck in a never-ending cycle and things will never get better, that is a lie of the enemy. Jesus tells us that Satan is the father of lies who has come to steal, kill, and destroy. But Jesus came to give you life. He offers you peace, comfort, and joy. It may take time to feel whole, but believe that God can and will heal your brokenness. When you choose to lean on Him, even in the midst of your pain, you will find hope.

Though it often doesn’t feel like it, everything you’re facing is temporary. If you can learn to look at your circumstances with an eternal perspective, you will see that the hard things you’re going through are just a blip compared to the eternal joy you’ll experience in Heaven. It doesn’t mean there won’t still be moments when you feel tired, lonely, or inadequate. But you can trust in the promise that your future is secure and find the strength to keep going.

Scriptures: 2 Kings 6:14-17, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 2 Timothy 1:7, Isaiah 26:3, Hebrews 13:8, Joshua 1:9, Psalms 9:10

Trusting God When You’re Anxious

When we’re worried, it doesn’t help for someone to tell us that we’re all worked up for nothing or that we should just get over it. Instead of quieting our fears, this kind of advice just leaves us feeling unheard, uncared for, and invalidated. Simply being told not to be anxious won’t stop our anxiety. In those moments, we have to actively seek God to find peace.

Elisha was a prophet in the Old Testament who would hear from God and warn the king of Israel whenever another nation was planning to attack. After the king of Aram’s plans failed multiple times, he decided to send his army to capture Elisha. One morning, the camp was surrounded by the enemy, and Elisha’s servant started to panic. Elisha told him not to fear because the Lord’s army outnumbered their enemy’s army. Then he prayed for his servants’ eyes to be opened, and the young man saw that the hillside was full of horses and chariots of fire.

When we are overcome with fear, we need to be reminded that our God is with us and He’s bigger than anything that threatens to hurt us. Instead of letting our thoughts spiral out of control, we need to ground ourselves in Scripture. We need to recognize our negative thought patterns and practice replacing the lies with the truth of God’s Word.

The Bible says we don’t have to live in fear because God has given us a sound mind. He is our protector, our provider, our strength, our refuge, and our everything. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Just like He rescued Elisha, we can trust that He will be faithful to rescue us.

When our anxious thoughts keep echoing in our heads, we may be tempted to numb our fear with mindless activity. While we may find a temporary escape in substances, unhealthy relationships, or social media scrolling, none of that will solve our anxiety. By choosing to numb, we’re choosing to be passive. However, if we want to renew our minds and live by faith, we have to take an active role in eliminating our anxious thoughts.

If you often find yourself dwelling on negative possibilities, create cues that will help you shift your focus. Keep Scripture in front of you by writing it on your mirror, framing your favorite verse for your desk, or signing up for push notifications on your phone. Surround yourself with godly community who you can be open and vulnerable with. Remember who God is, what He’s done, and what He promises to do. Speak His truth over your life, over and over until you believe it.

If you trust that what the Bible says is true, then you can choose to trust God in the middle of your anxiety. Whatever you’re worried about, God is good enough and powerful enough and loving enough to take any outcome–the one you want and the ones you don’t–and use it for your good.

Learning to fully trust God doesn’t come easily. It isn’t as simple as completing one Bible plan. It takes repeatedly reading His Word and hiding it in your heart so that you can draw on it when the hard days come. It takes choosing to look for His goodness and faithfulness, not just in the Bible, but in your own life. God has always been with you, and He always will be. He has never failed you, and He never will. You can trust Him with your whole heart and your every tomorrow.