Trust is something that seems hard to come by these days. To trust someone can be a delicate and difficult thing based on our past interactions with that person as well as with other people. Many times we trust the person in front of us based upon how our trust was treated by the last person. Trusting the Lord therefore can become especially difficult if we base our trust in Him upon how the last person treated us. We know that God is worthy of our trust, we know that He always does what is best for us out of His heart and character of perfect love and yet…Trust seems like a simple thing to do but we know that it is not easy. When trust is broken something in us is hurt. When trust is broken the battles that take place in our mind, heart, will and spirit can be intense. After trust is broken we may ask questions such as these:
- “How can I think positive and uplifting thoughts about and towards that person?” (Mind)
- “How can I make sure that my emotions don’t venture into sinfulness as I deal with the hurt of this broken trust?” (Heart)
- “How can I choose to treat this person with the unconditional love of the Lord in spite of this broken trust?) (Will)
- “How will my faith in God’s love, His willingness, and His ability help me to keep walking victoriously and uprightly in spite of this broken trust?) (Spirit/faith)
Many times we may project our feelings and thoughts of broken trust upon innocent bystanders and this not the call of God nor His plan for our lives. And yet we must also remember that God Himself instructed us through the words of Solomon to “Watch over (our) hearts with all diligence for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23). And so my challenge to you today is to entrust your heart fully to God, for He will never fail you. Furthermore, I would say, let us trust God completely to guide us, direct us, provide for us, save us, abide with us and truly be our All in all (for this is what He has promised and this is who He is). And lastly, I encourage you to trust God to enable you to serve, love, and honor others in spite of all of the brokenness in this world. As we do so He will enable and empower us to go deeper and farther with Him than ever before and He will enable and empower us to love others, build bridges, and come together even in spite of our imperfections and brokenness.
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 your paths straight.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Pastor Michael Johnson 