The Art of Trusting

Prov 3:5-6

5 Trust in the Lord  with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight.

NIV

I am going to be straight with you.  I am a “leaner”.  When I face a situation, my  default setting is to try to figure it out within myself. It is not a conscious choice that I make.  I want to be a trusting child of God.  I know that it is dishonoring to Him when I try to occupy the throne of my life. But, for the life of me, I cannot completely give up the habit.  I make strides sometimes…then I backtrack…

Trusting is such a liberating thing. When we are trusting God, our minds are clear from  reasoning, fretting and laboring, to figure things out. We are free to laugh, rejoice and be hope-filled.  Not because we do not have a problem, but because we know that God has “got this.”  A  child  is so trusting.  Unless a parent has taught them that the world is an untrustworthy or scary place, the child believes what Mommy or Daddy says.  A child will  jump off  a high place into the arms of their parents, because they are fully persuaded  that they will be caught.  They have no  expectation of being dropped, therefore, there is no fear.

Having a background in mental health and social work, an analytical mind has served me well.  But in my spiritual walk? Not so much! I try to “discern” what God is up to, how He will go about it, and what the final outcome  will be.  I analyze His activity in my life, looking for clues of where I am heading. A futile pastime, to say the least.

The Word of God exhorts us to not lean on our own understanding.  Why?  Because we do not have the mental capacity to perceive the deep and high thoughts of God. We have no ability to truly grasp His vastness.  We have limited knowledge and understanding.  Our resources have a definite cut-off point.  Not so, with our Heavenly  Father.  His knowledge, power, resources, wisdom and supernatural awesomeness transcend our wildest imaginations. That is why we can trust Him.

Are you facing uncertainty in life?  Let Him direct your path. He really does know the trails.  He will direct you to the best place for you.  He has ordained the help you need to meet you at the right place at just the right time.  He will coordinate it so just the right people are crossing your path at the pivotal time for you.  Submit your way to Him.  Resign from self care.  Retire from  plotting and scheming.  Give it up!  You are not going to figure it out!!!  Nor do you need to.

Some of my most precious memories are of when my babies were little.  I treasured those precious first steps, when they would toddle to me with hands upraised, calling out to me, “Mama.”  They just melted my heart!  Immediately, I would scoop them up and cover them with kisses.  I cannot help but imagine our loving Father having the same surge of love toward us when we dare to approach Him in total abandon and trust.

Dear Lord, you know every thought of my mind and every inclination of my heart.  Forgive me for thinking when I should be trusting.  I truly do acknowledge You and ask that You direct my paths.  Show  me the way.  Protect and defend me.  Lead me in the way that you have chosen for me.  For Your glory.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.