Trust In The Lord

For the past few weeks I have been listening to a song by Will Reagan & United Pursuit entitled “Nothing I Hold Onto” and it has been helping me to endure the process that God is currently taking me through. I’m glad that we have upgraded from record players and compact discs because mine would be so scratched from playing this song over and over.

The lyrics simply say:

“I lean not on my own understanding

My life is in the hands of the Maker of heaven.

I give it all to you God,

Trusting that you will make something beautiful out of me.

I will climb this mountain with my hands wide open.

There's nothing I hold onto.”

What a powerful statement and reminder that our lives are literally in the hands of same God who made the heavens and the earth. It's simple but packed with so much power and truth. If He can create and sustain something so wonderful, complex, and huge as the earth we should be able to trust Him with our lives. Every time I sing this song it reminds me that God wants it ALL, not just a fraction, He wants all of me (my heart, my life, my thoughts, EVERYTHING). That I can trust The Lord and as I acknowledge Him, He is making my path straight. Even if the path doesn’t seem to be straight to me, I can trust that He knows what He is doing.

One of my absolute favorite passages of Scriptures is Proverbs 3:5-7:

“TRUST in The Lord with all your heart

 And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear The Lord and depart from evil.”

When I read that I always feel a peace fall upon me. Why? Because it reminds that God wants to direct my path. That I’m not in this journey alone, I have a Heavenly Father that delights in every detail of my life (Psalm 37: 23). A Father whose thoughts are nothing like my thoughts and whose ways are far beyond anything I could imagine (Isaiah 55:8).  

So many times we may think that we know it all or what the outcome of a situation in our lives will be; but only God is Sovereign. Only He knows the right path for us to take. We can’t lean to our own understanding (which is always limited) or seek our own will. We must seek His Will in every area of our lives from the littlest of things to the biggest of things. Then and only then will He be able to show us the right path for our journey. Common sense will only get us so far but the wisdom of God will carry us through any obstacles we may face.  We were not made to live independent from The Lord. We need God at ALL times, whether life is grand or life seems impossible to bear.

At times though I know it can be hard to trust in The Lord. There are those moments in life when everything seems to be falling apart and we can’t see or understand what is going on. You seem to be drowning in your problems with no help in sight.  It’s in those moments, as believers, that we must remember 4 things:

1)   “We walk by faith, not by sight” -2 Corinthians 5:7

2)   “And The Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” –Deuteronomy 31:8

3)   “We know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purposes for them.” –Romans 8:28

4)   “Commit everything you do to The Lord, TRUST Him, and He will help you.” –Psalm 37:5

It’s not about what you can or cannot see right now. God knows what He is doing and He knows what you need to experience, in order to be all that He has designed you to be. He allows you to experience certain tests and trials to develop you. When you trust in and welcome The Lord into your situation, He takes all of the broken pieces and begins making them into a beautiful masterpiece. There is no issue too big or too small for The Lord to handle. Don't allow worry, stress, anxiety or fear to rule in your heart. Trust Him when your bills are due. Trust Him when your marriage seems rocky. Trust Him when your kids are acting up. Trust Him with your health. Trust Him with your friendships. Trust Him with your finances. Trust Him with your relationships. Trust Him with your family. Trust Him in your single season. Trust Him to help you overcome that addiction. Trust Him with your career. Trust Him to show you your purpose. Trust Him to help you cope with the death of your loved one(s). Trust Him to help you turn away from sin. Trust Him to help you on your job, at school, at your internship, in your home, in your dorm, at your church, etc. Wherever you are, He is as well. The same Almighty God that parted the Red Sea for the Israelites to cross, is the same God that is with us today.

Have you acknowledged God in all areas of your life? What about your heart? If not, what is holding you back? If you feel like The Lord is distant it’s not Him who has moved, it’s you. The Lord is waiting on YOU. He desires to help, but you first have to acknowledge His presence. You have to believe in Him. You have to seek Him. You have to lay down your pride and fear and say “Lord I need your help with (whatever the situation is). I’m having trouble trusting in you right now but I know Your Word says that ‘You will never leave nor forsake me.’ That you will grant wisdom to those who seek it. Please forgive me for not trusting in You and help me with my unbelief.  I humble myself before thee and ask that you guide and show me what exactly it is that I need to do.  Then give me the courage to act upon whatever you instruct me to do.”

It’s as simple as that. You don't have to be deep or lofty with your speech. God answers a sincere heart, so just be honest with Him. Then “Be Still and know that He is God” (Psalm 46:10). Your answer may be found in a gentle whisper from the Holy Spirit, in a passage of Scripture, a vision or dream, a sermon that you listen to, a bit of wisdom or encouragement from another believer, or a mental picture, to name a few. Sometimes His responses are immediate and sometimes it takes a bit longer, but trust that His timing is perfect. And as long as your faith is in Him alone (James 1:5-8), He will answer you. God loves you and is for you. Stop allowing your problems to cause you to run away and forsake the One who loved you even when you were filthy, disgusting, and living in rebellion to His ways. Run towards The Lord, the lover of your soul, and don't let anything hold you back!

Peace & Blessings,

Cierra

xoxo