Week 9: Is Today the Day I Stop Trusting You, God?

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.”

Isaiah 26:3-4 (ESV)

  Like many of you reading this, I have received news in my life that has left me overwhelmed with emotions, feeling helpless and hopeless. I recently received such news again, which was unsettling and disrupted both my nervous system and spirit. I quietly asked myself, as I’ve done before, “Is today the day I stop trusting You, God?” The answer was a resounding NO!

I retreated to a quiet spot in my home where I could be alone and shed a few tears. I then began to talk to my FATHER who art in heaven. I praised Him for being a faithful, loving, compassionate, and kind heavenly Father. I praised Him for being my provider and protector. I praised Jesus as my Savior, Redeemer, and the Lamb of God who has taken away my sins. I praised the Holy Spirit for indwelling me and for being my comforter, teacher, guide, and corrector. I then recalled every trial I’ve ever faced and how God brought me through in ways I never could have imagined, always for my good and His glory (Romans 8:28). I remembered how Jesus has felt every emotion I am experiencing and catches every tear I cry. He is the source of my strength and empathizes with all that I am going through. He is the Alpha and the Omega, my great High Priest, and the Source of all I need to endure until the end. 

I reflected on God’s character, His Word, and His promises, and more importantly, His history with me. I asked Him to let me feel His peace, and at that moment, an indescribable peace flooded my spirit. Notice, I didn’t ask Him to give me peace, but to help me walk in the peace He’s already given me. God quickly reminded me that the moment I accepted Jesus as my Lord and Savior, the Holy Spirit came to dwell within me, and with it came peace. Galatians 5:22-25 says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:13 also reminds me that His divine power has provided everything I need for a godly life through our knowledge of Him, who called me by His own glory and goodness. Jesus tells us in John 16:33 (NIV), “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” He shares this because He will soon be crucified, and His disciples will be scattered, leaving Jesus alone and feeling hopeless. 

I felt His presence with such intensity and His comfort so palpably.  I then shed tears, not of sorrow, but of joy. God is faithful, even when life unfolds in a jolting way.  Jesus said He would not be alone after He was crucified but would be with the Father. Likewise, the disciples would not be alone after Jesus was crucified, because the promised Holy Spirit, our Helper, would come to reside in them. We share the same promises as the disciples, my friend. If you hear bad news, are going through trials, or the worst of situations enters your life, God is with you.   He promises He will never leave us, nor forsake us, (Hebrews 13:5), especially when the bottom drops from under us. Friend, do not let today be the day that you stop trusting God.