Unshakeable Trust

My husband and I recently moved into a ministry home a month ago with two families. I faced so many challenges the weeks leading up to this move. When I finally reviewed those weeks I realized that I have some major trust issues. I can say with full confidence that my faith and hope in the Lord is unshakeable; but I realized this last month that I have lingering doubts with regards to trust. Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” Seriously? Easier written and spoken than done, I have come to find out over this last month. What exactly is trust? Trust is confidence in the honesty or integrity of a person or thing and it’s a firm belief in the character, strength, or truth of someone or something. I remember back in November 2019 when I was at the Set Free Women’s Ranch in Lake Elsinore, our director had us do this assignment. We sat down and wrote about where we had been, where we were, and where we hoped to be. It was quite intense, what some people wrote about. I recall writing something about doubt and was concerned about my being at Set Free, was it just another program or was it going to be different this time? I had so much confusion going on in my mind and our director called it doubt. That doubt took me on a faith walk that I could fill up a hundred pages or more sharing about. But I think it all comes down to this one thing – trust.

Since I believe God’s Word, since I believe that Jesus died on the Cross in order to give me eternal life, and since I know that things of this world are temporary then why do I still struggle with trusting? I mean I believe Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose,” so why the lack of trust? I have had to take a long look in the mirror and ask myself if my faith and hope is as unshakeable as I say it is. I have had to ask some hard questions and wait on the Lord’s answer. I have had to endure some troubles, some sifting and even doubt. I have had to press so hard into Jesus, that everything I have that’s important had to be put on the back burner for a short time. I have had to ask questions and listen for answers. I have had to be quiet and still and wait for the Lord to confirm my beliefs. And the waiting has been the most difficult time for me because of my lack of trust, or so I thought I had a lack of trust. But even in the frustration the Lord saw fit to meet me right where I was at, doubt and all, and bring revelation to me, through His Word: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose hope is the Lord,” (Jeremiah 17:7); “Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies,” (Psalms 40:4); “Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness,” (Psalms 37:3).

The Lord once again had redirected my thinking and quenched all that doubt. The problem I found is trusting people more than I trust God. I have put so much stock in what others think and say, especially if they have a title, and I have forgotten that they are human beings that will falter. Psalms 118:8-9 says, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes.” And this can be a tricky verse, if taken out of context. Very simply put, when I put my full confidence and trust in the Lord, I will be able to exercise discernment about who I trust in the natural. I have to be in constant communication with Jesus, asking and seeking Him in all things and am ready to deal with whatever comes from man. Jesus didn’t promise me that this life would be easy and comfortable; He promised me trouble and eternal life. I surely don’t go looking for trouble just because I know it’s out there, I have had my fair share of self-instituted troubles. I now go into any situation with my trust in only the Lord. I know that nothing happens by mistake, there are no coincidences. Again, Romans 8:28, “And we know all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” When I am walking in the will of God, I trust God and no matter what the outcome, God is in full control. I do not need to concern myself with outcomes because the outcome is going to be the outcome regardless of my anxiety, worry, and concern or trying to change it. Knowing this, really knowing this, leads me to one conclusion – unshakeable trust. My trust in God cannot and will not be shaken because of what I know He can do and because of who He is! He is God! I mean with one breath He created the heavens and the earth. I can go all the way back to the beginning of time and read about what God did and because I believe what I read in the Bible, I have no reason not to trust Him. Everything that I contend with in the natural makes total sense when I have God to put my trust in. He is so faithful to answer my prayers and petitions. He proves Himself over and over and not because He has to but because He loves me and He loves you. He is the Mighty Counselor. He will never leave me or forsake me, not then, not now and not tomorrow.

Having a kingdom mindset is what keeps me in the will of God. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Every morning before my feet hit the floor I say a simple but powerful prayer: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.” This prayer opens the floodgates of heaven to pour upon our ministry home every single day. There is a kind of peace that dwells in this house, even in the chaos. God’s kingdom is right here within me and I know this because my trust is in God and God alone. I am not searching any longer because He surrounds me all the time. I see Him in the smiles of the people around me, in the tears, in the laughter, in the stillness and even in the storms.

May the Lord shine His face upon each and every one this Christmas! May you experience the favor and the love of Jesus Christ today and tomorrow and every single day hereafter.