A Picture of Trust

A thought from Nick...

In the past several years God has placed before me opportunities to rejoice in suffering. Though I am thankful for it, it has not been an easy road. When I take my eyes off my Savior & instead look upon my storms & trials I put myself in a place God never intended His child to be in. Doubt, fear & hopelessness can creep in & try to steal the joy God desires for me. I begin to question if God is listening; if He is really hearing my prayers & my cries for deliverance & healing. Today I received an email from Ken Sande's Peace Maker Ministry that helped me firm up my focus, reinforce my faith & remember in whom I place my trust. I hope you also are encouraged by this:

"Therefore we do not lose heart." 2 Cor. 4:16

Trusting God proved to be the pattern in Paul's life. Even when the Lord did not immediately relieve his sufferings, Paul continued to view everything that happened to him as God's sovereign will (2 Cor. 4:17-18). This doesn't mean that Paul never had doubts or that he never asked God to relieve his suffering (2 Cor. 12:7-8). But when the Lord's response did not match Paul's request, he was willing to believe that God had something better in mind (vv. 9-10).

Think of the last time the Lord's response did not match your request.

What does trusting God look like? Ken reminds us that it doesn't mean wearing a painted on smile when troubles come and practicing the art of denial when doubts arise. Those verses in 2 Cor. 12 show the apostle Paul "pleading" for God to take the thorn in his flesh away. So, then what does trusting God look like? "But when the Lord's response did not match Paul's request, he was"--what's that next word? That's right--"willing."

Trusting looks like a willingness to believe in God's goodness toward us in the middle of pleadings and tears and sufferings and doubts and questions. Trusting is choosing to believe that God desires the best for us, his children. That's not always easy, but as Paul would attest, it's always worth it!"

Shine!