Do You Trust God?

Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! Matthew 7:9-11

Do you trust your judgment? Have negative experiences shaken your faith in humanity? For me, as an adult child of divorce, I have struggled to trust myself, others, and God. If my parents, whom I love dearly, can shatter my expectations of trusting others, how can I trust a Father I cannot even see?

For a long time, I believed many, many lies about my circumstances. I listened to the father of lies accuse me of wrongdoing, blame me for events I had no part in, and bought into his forecast of fear and uncertainty. It turns out I was taking the Stone Soup he was feeding me and accepting pet snakes from the enemy. It was time to stomp out the lies! The Lord has the fragrant bread of life available to us in unlimited amounts (and with no calories). We can confidently put our trust in Him, for He is good, and His love endures forever.

People will continue to let us down if our faith in them is more significant than our faith in God. I am a perfectly imperfect wife and parent now and with age comes wisdom. I have raised two children, remained married for over 25 years, and am currently transitioning into a time of helping care for aging parents. I have discovered the importance of trusting God.

We can trust in the Lord with all our heart, just not out of our understanding. Many of you, like me, have faced disappointments, which have taught us not to depend upon ourselves alone. We do not need to base our trust on our circumstances and experience. We have a God meeting all of our needs in each occasion and every experience. Sometimes I still struggle with looking at my situation rather than up to God.

When this happens, it is time to get intentional with my words and thoughts. It is time to spit out the Stone Soup and reach for a slice of the bread of life. When I acknowledge Christ, when I cry out to Him and choose to depend upon His goodness, He will make my paths straight! (Proverbs 3:6) My life is in the capable hands of a Father who loves me more than even my earthly father (who I know loves me very much, by the way).

As I learn to trust God more each day, I begin to see evidence of His touch in everything I have ever experienced. As I look back at my circumstances, I notice His fingerprint all over the place. If our earthly father knows how to give good gifts, how can I doubt the goodness of the perfect gifts from our perfect Father?

Heavenly Father, I confess I have not accepted your good and perfect gifts without a doubt. I am sorry and acknowledge your goodness in all circumstances. Forgive my unbelief. I choose to take my heart out of the drawer today and begin trusting again. I will not fear with you by my side, for I trust in you and your goodness. In Jesus‘ name. Amen.

Relevant Bible Verses

Psalm 118:1 – Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Reflect and Respond

What areas of your life are you holding back in because of a lack of trust in God? How can you begin to relinquish your understanding of trust and rely upon God in this area?

What is the best gift you ever received? Why do you consider it the best?

Respond in prayer for God to show you His fingerprints in past experiences where you doubted His presence. Give thanks to God for His goodness you may have missed in the past but see now.