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Learning to Trust



“If God is good, how could He let this happen to me?” “If God is good, then why is He letting lots of babies die every day? And why did He let the holocaust happen?” These questions and similar others are often asked by people who are actively looking for reasons not to trust God. Growing up in a home with three well-meaning older siblings, who were always telling me not to trust anyone, the idea that having trust issues was a good thing was implemented in my mind from a very young age. When I was at a low point, I often used those questions to challenge people I knew were strong Christians whenever they tried to help me. And here are some things I have learned over the last year.
 

1) Allowing Does Not Mean Desire:

It hurts God to see His creation suffer, and just because He allows it to happen, it does not mean it delights Him (Lam. 3:31-33; 1 Thess. 5:9; Rom. 8:18-23).

2) True love Requires Choice:

God gave His people free will to see how much we would love Him. He did not want a bunch of programmed robots to do his bidding. The reason this world is a wreck is not His fault; it’s our fault and our fault alone. We chose to reject Him, and now we must bear the consequences. In Deuteronomy 30:19-20, God said "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live." Unfortunately, being the smart humans we are, we chose death.

3) He is in Control No Matter What:

Nothing that happens surprises Him. He is in control of everything. You have true freedom when you choose to let go of trying to direct your own life, and put it in His hands. He gave you life; who else would be more capable to take care of you than the One who made you?

“Do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Isn't life more than food and the body more than clothing?” (Matt. 6:25-26).

In the end, He will turn everything to good for those who love Him (Rom. 8:28).

4) He Will Never Leave You:

One of my favorite poems is German and was found on one of the walls of a concentration camp. It says,

“I believe in the sun even when it's not shining.
I believe in love even when I can not feel it.
And I believe in God even when He is silent.”

The proclamation that person made in such a dire situation shows complete and total trust in God. This person knew that someone greater than them had them in the palm of his hand. No matter what happens in your life, God is right there with you and will never leave you nor forsake you (Deut. 31:8).

5) He Knows What It's Like to Lose Someone He Loves:

He gave His only son willingly to save us, even though we did not deserve it. He loved us so much He gave His only begotten Son to suffer and die on a cross to save us from our sins. If someone loves you so much, why would you want to withhold your trust?

Trusting God brought more freedom and peace than I could ever have imagined.

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” (Isaiah 26:3)

It's not always easy, but God never promised that life would be easy. In fact, He promises the exact opposite. But knowing you are not alone in a trial and knowing He will support you through it all is comforting beyond anything else. Trust in God, friend, He will never leave you or forsake you.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make direct your paths.” (Prov. 3:5-6)

Written by Addie Schwebach 

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