It seems to me that just a few short days ago, I spent time blogging about the issue of TRUST, and more specifically trusting specifically in God and His plans for us. No sooner had I posted the blog did I continue reading in my book, The Shack by William Paul Young, that I read these words of Young’s:

“Trust is the fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved. Because you do not know that I love you, you cannot trust me.”

Now, while these words were spoken to a fictional character by a fictional character portraying Jesus, I can’t help but smile at how my sweet heavenly Father can even use fiction to make truth even clearer. Beautiful words – well written!

I also mentioned how FEAR & UNBELIEF can be a couple of the factors that keep us from giving God our full measure of trust. Again, Young wrote on this so amazingly well, that I can’t help but share:

Mack: “So why do I have so much fear in my life?”
Jesus: “Because you don’t believe. You don’t know that we love you. The person who lives by their fears will not find freedom in my love. I am not talking about rational rears regarding legitimate dangers, but imagined fears, and especially the projection of those into the future. To the degree that those fears have a place in your life, you neither believe I am good nor know deep in your heart that I love you. You sing about it; you talk about it, but you don’t know it.”

Speaking of The Shack…for those of you that haven’t read it…PLEASE DO!!! I can honestly say that it is one of the best pieces of fiction that I have read in a long time. It remains on the best seller lists, and you can find it pretty much anywhere. If you want to be challenged, be transformed, and be blown away in such a way that you will yearn for more of God, then please…take a trip to…The Shack.

Do you have a favorite Bible verse or perhaps a verse that you are simply reminded of constantly? Or perhaps one that keeps showing up…over and over and over? Well…let me tell ya…I certainly do. Two years ago, almost to the day, the Lord impressed upon my heart the verse below. I didn’t know at the time (and still don’t) the true significance that this verse has come to mean to me, but it has since become my life verse. The Lord has been teaching me so much about myself and my relationship with Him through this verse. It has popped up everywhere – in places I would never dream. I often rely on it for affirmation of the Lord’s whisper to my heart when I see it “show up” in the most unlikely places. He never forgets to remind me to trust Him…

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Easier said than done…eh? Sure, I can trust the Lord with anything and everything…but do I? I know that I know that I know that if I only trust Him, acknowledge Him and keep Him first place that He will guide all of my steps. He’s certainly been faithful many times before. So, why don’t I do it? Doesn’t it seem like the easiest thing to do? In all honestly, and if I look deep into my own heart, the reasons for my lack of obedience seem to be clear:

FEAR – What if I misunderstood Him? What if I make a mistake? What if I trust Him this time and I end up hurt? What if…what if…what if?
But His Word says, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

PRIDE – I don’t think the Lord really knows what He’s asking me to do anyway. Doesn’t He realize that people will laugh at me if I do this? Doesn’t He know that’s not the “normal” way of doing things? What will my friends & family think?
But His Word says, “A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor.” Proverbs 29:23 NIV

UNBELIEF – I really don’t believe that He can do what He says He can do. I’ve been disappointed too many times before.
But His Words says, “Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” Romans 4:20-21 NIV

There may be other reasons for my lack of trust at times, but these three seem to be the most common and obvious. He did not ask me to figure out His plans first but to simply trust Him in the process. How often do you fall into some of these same mindsets? Do you, like me, get so frustrated with your own sense of fear, pride, and unbelief at times? Well, I’ve learned that He knows that about me and continues to place me in situations where I MUST learn to trust Him. God is so good, even when I am so unworthy. As we continue along this path together, may we grow ever more mindful in learning to TRUST Him and take Him at His beautiful Word.