My youngest daughter is a planner. She is organized and has her weeks, months and future planned out as much as she can. I always tell her, “Don’t hold your plans too tightly.” I have learned that when I live in the will of God, surrendering my days to Him, my best laid plans often get interrupted. Sometimes those interruptions are better, sometimes they are painful and frustrating. But the hardest ones to accept are the plans that don’t make any logical sense! Like the time the Holy Spirit clearly told me to leave a job, without one to replace it. I obeyed and a short time later, I had a better job with less stress and more benefits. I needed to slow down to hear what God had for me.
One of the best biblical examples of this is found in the story of Abraham and Isaac (see Genesis 21:1-7; Genesis 22:1-19 & Hebrews 11:8-19). God had given Abraham a promise. He was to be the father of God’s people, even though he and Sarah had no children. So, when the miracle of Isaac finally happened, Abraham could see the plans of God clearly. Why then would God ask Abraham to sacrifice his long-awaited son? There were so many reasons that was a bad idea. I mean, what was God thinking? And yet, Abraham obeyed and proceeded with a faith that I don’t think I would have had, and God provided a ram for the sacrifice. The lesson being, when we don’t understand God’s plans, we still need to move forward in obedience with the faith that God knows what He’s doing and is in control. God can be trusted always, even when we don’t understand.
Trust needs to become a habit so when things are difficult or without explanation, it is already there!
The Bible shows us that we need to trust God and His plans for us (Proverbs 3:5-6), but practically speaking, it’s not easy to do. It requires surrender of ‘me’ in all things and sometimes it requires sacrifice. Trust is a choice. For example, Matthew 6:25-33 teaches us that if we trust, God will provide what we need. We must choose to seek Him and live righteously. Worry doesn’t accomplish anything good in our lives, but dependence on God for all our needs and finances allows Him to be our provider.
There are some things we can do to help us trust deeper:
Prioritize growing in your relationship with Jesus. As you read His Word, pray and spend time in stillness, you will become more like Him and will be able to hear His voice and plans for you. Your dependence will be stronger which will sustain you. It’s easy to trust when life is good, but if you are grounded in your relationship with God, trusting His plans without understanding the ‘why’ will come easier. Trust needs to become a habit so when things are difficult or without explanation, it is already there!
Be teachable and open to God’s desire for your life. Psalm 32:8-9 says, “The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.” Let God teach, counsel and instruct you in life because His plans are better than any of man’s plans (Proverbs 16:9).
And lastly, memorize the promises that God has given us, like Jeremiah 29:11-12, Romans 8:28 and Psalm 138:8. Then, when tough decisions come our way or God asks us to go in a different direction, these promises will come to mind and help us to choose trust!
