Thursday, April 27, 2023

Is it easy for you to trust? 

I struggled with it growing up, and many factors played into that. People became sick, left, or couldn’t keep promises. But every child wants nothing more than to trust and have faith in those around them. Inconsistencies pushed me to become a people-pleaser for those who remained, but the results didn’t always fulfill my desires. I switched things up and tried harder as the years passed, but the better moments became more fleeting than ever in my personal and spiritual life.

Sometimes, we discover something better after realizing others go through their share of difficulties too. That’s how I felt after I read Finding Fish: A Memoir and then watched the movie based on the story of Antwone Fisher. It follows a young boy's journey into adulthood and the struggles that plagued him throughout. Along the way, Antwone did his best to please the mother he never knew. Ultimately, putting his trust elsewhere proved to be the thing necessary to fill his heart and restore his faith. 

People-pleasing often leaves us with an empty tank. We’re searching for a connection that either doesn’t exist or probably won’t last. The same goes for our relationship with Jesus. Trying to please Christ empties our spiritual tank. We spend so much time checking the boxes to show God we’re worth it. How often do you measure your sin against your faith or find it hard to love the Father you’ve never seen?

Hebrews 11:6
And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.

We can never do enough to earn God’s love. It's not possible, and it's not what he expects. This is why he sent Jesus. Isn’t that incredibly freeing? We are simply asked to trust in him, even when it doesn’t seem to make sense at the moment.

Proverbs 3:5-6
⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. ⁶ Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

It reminds me of the story of the drowning man. As the water rose, he was stuck on his rooftop, so he prayed to God to save him. A rowboat, motorboat, and helicopter all stopped to help, but the man sent them away. His version of faith kept him waiting on his own idea of how God would save him. After drowning, the man asked God why he didn’t rescue him. God said help was sent three times. 

Faith and trust can seem so challenging as God doesn’t always respond in the way we want or the way we think he should. But he loves you so much and knows exactly what you need. Trust and faith are like two hands. It’s easier to wash one with the other. Ultimately, placing our faith in God and trusting him leads to a life of freedom. 

Questions:
How often do you send empty prayers? Do you trust in God’s process?

Next Steps:
Get to know God and his trustworthiness more through reading Scripture. Here are two to get started: Deuteronomy 7:7-9 and Psalm 37.

Join a Freedom Group or Celebrate Recovery. Text “Groups” to 419-419-0707 for more info.

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Prayer:
Heavenly Father, it’s not always easy to trust your truth when the world fights against it so often. Forgive me for my lack of faith when the struggle seems too real. I will humble myself to remember I can’t make it through this life alone, and any real strength comes through your Word. Amen. 

Series Theme Verses:

Philippians 2:13
For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

Hebrews 11:4
It was by faith that Abel brought a more acceptable offering to God than Cain did. Abel’s offering gave evidence that he was a righteous man, and God showed his approval of his gifts. Although Abel is long dead, he still speaks to us by his example of faith.