Trusting God. Sometimes it seems so simple, yet in reality, it is quite difficult. As Hebrew 11:1 states, “Faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen (CSB).” Reality equals assurance, substance, confidence (depending on the translation). Basically, it’s believing in something we can’t see. We trust and have faith in things all the time without thinking – the chair will hold us up, spring will blossom after winter, the sun will rise. Some of these things we take for granted because they happen and are just easy to believe. The hard things are the uncertainties we place in God’s hands – will my sick child get well, will I be cured from cancer, will my loved one accept Christ, will my marriage survive, etc… We pray and give it to God, we say we trust Him, but then doubt starts to creep in. Will God answer? Will He answer the way I want? Does He hear me? Maybe I need to pray harder, different, have more faith. We begin to get anxious. Maybe I shouldn’t say “we”, maybe it’s just me. I have control issues and am not very patient. I want answers now, in my time, in my way. Most of the time, that’s not how it works. God is God. He has a plan. He sees the big picture. He knows just what needs to happen and when. My job is to pray, give it to Him, and believe He will work according to His will and His timing (not mine). In the meantime, I have to rest in His assurance of keeping His promises. John 14:13-14 says, “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it (CSB).” God is able to do more than I think or even imagine (Eph 3:20). If only it was that simple – to just pray, give it to God and trust. Unfortunately, the enemy is out there to distract us and bring worry and anxiety. He doesn’t want us close to God, trusting God.
While trusting God is hard, so is fighting a spiritual battle. It’s exhausting, and scary, but also exciting when I truly believe God and His promises. So, I keep fighting, I pray without ceasing. However, sometimes I wonder if I pray so much and so often because I’m not really trusting. The fear that if I don’t keep praying, all the time, then God won’t answer. I’m scared and hurting, so I think it’s my way of coping. Pray every time I think about it. Maybe I need to pray for more faith instead. Fear and anxiety are not from God, they are from the enemy. So, when I fear and pray more/harder, then I am showing God that I don’t really trust Him and His promises. He does tell us to pray without ceasing in 1 Thessalonians. Unfortunately, I believe mine at the moment stems from fear and lack of trust. I need rest as well. I need to be able to rest in God’s promise. He says if I pray in accordance with His will and in His name, He will answer (John 14:13-14; 1 John 5:14-15). Do I believe that? Do I really believe nothing is impossible for God? If so, then I need to pray, believe and trust Him to work. He doesn’t need my help. He has a plan. It’s just that my feeble mind can’t comprehend.
I read a devotion that fear and faith go together. Fear is natural, but with faith I can’t let it control me. It cited Deut. 31:6, “Be strong and courageous…For the Lord Your God is the one who will go with you; He will not leave you or abandon you (CSB).” I can trust God. He is faithful and always keeps his promises.