Trust

This world has been crazy right now with the virus, and I know that many people have been struggling. I know that it’s been difficult for business owners and those with health issues, and I want you to know that you are in my thoughts and prayers.

I have felt the Lord put on my heart during this time the topic of trust. When the world is being turned upside down, it’s hard to put yourself in place to trust God and give up control.

I’m sure that in some ways, you have experienced something being canceled, whether it’s graduation, trips, or merely simple coffee dates. I know businesses are struggling, and people are adjusting to doing school or work at home. Not to mention those with health issues and being stuck at home and worrying about going to the grocery store.

Depression and anxiety begin to sneak up, and there are times you feel trapped and afraid because our world has never seen anything like this before (at least in my lifetime). But I have felt this little tug on my heart to share what I have learned about trust.

I have always struggled with giving up control, even with little things, with school, work, and life. There have been times where it’s been entirely out of my hands, and I don’t know what to do. It’s in those times that God has taught me what it’s really like to trust him.

Now I’m sure you have heard people say, “Oh, just trust God” or “give it to God,” but that is a lot harder than it sounds. It’s not until we start to understand who God really is we can begin to truly trust him.

I don’t know why, but it has taken me a long time to understand that God has a plan, and I mean ALWAYS has a plan. He’s the God of the universe, he knows what he is doing, and I’ve learned he is always good. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Now I’m sure that you have been in a situation that makes you question his plan. I know that I have asked him how a horrible situation can turn out to be good. My favorite verse Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” This verse reminds me that our God is not someone who wants to hurt us, he calls us his beloved children, but he has a plan for us that can give us hope.

Knowing that God has a plan can help us trust him, but knowing his character can help us give him control. Studying his word can aid us in knowing him better; I know that God loves us enough to send his son to die for our sins, and it’s honestly hard to understand a love like that. Love that is unconditional and full of his mercy; when we know that it’s easier to see that even when we are in hard situations, God is still so good!

Fully trusting God means to give him control, even things that we don’t also have control over. Let me explain, when things around me are going crazy, and I don’t have any power. I often try to take control, which usually ends in me stressing over something I can’t do anything about.

When we trust God, that means we give him everything, especially the things we can’t control because we can rest knowing it’s in his hands. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “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”. He calls us to trust him and not lean on our own ideas; he is a perfect God who can do all things and makes our paths straight.

When we turn to God and trust him, he offers us peace and rest and loves us more than we can imagine, and he wants the best for us, that should be a reason to celebrate even in the times of trial. Philippians 4: 6-7 says “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus”.

When we give him full control, he provides us with a peace that surpasses all understanding, and we can rest in his promise and his love. I would encourage you to read Philippians 4 at some point, it has been a great help to me during this time.

I hope this is encouraging to you and can help you walk towards trusting God; it is a beautiful walk. Sometimes when the path gets rocky and I stumble and fall, God is there and picks me back up and makes my path straight.

I know he is working during this time of COVID-19, and I don’t know what that looks like for you. For me, he has been putting on my heart that we have to truly live every day for him.

God is so good, and I hope you will begin to give up control during this time and know that he is working even when we don’t see him.

Everyone is in my thoughts and prayers; I hope you know that you are not alone and that you are so loved. Please reach out if you need anything!

-Gracie