Trust Issues 

If you’re human, you’ve probably been disappointed by another human. This is either due to someone’s lack of integrity or due to unmet expectations. Since God has perfect integrity, we can conclude that our disappointment is due to unmet expectations. Take a moment to reflect on your expectations of yourself, others, and God. What formed those expectations? Do they align with scripture?

Trust, like in any relationship, takes time. One of the toughest things to do in life is not to worry or be fearful of the future, but our heavenly father tells us not to worry, because he cares deeply for each of us. (Matthew 6:31-33) 

I recall a pastor reminding us to look at God’s perfect track record. We know he doesn’t change, so why can’t we trust in him for the future as well? It’s okay to struggle and question – that’s part of the human experience. Just be careful not to quickly jump to negative conclusions, but earnestly seek Jesus with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13)

Not our way

God usually works in ways that we do not expect or even want him to. (Isaiah 55:8-9) Many times, I’ve pleaded with God to heal me from an affliction or save me from a situation.

Sometimes he does. Other times, he waits and uses the experience to help me grow. Regardless of the situation, I can attest to the fact that God is always faithful and good. The challenging part is keeping my attitude in check, and I challenge you to do the same. How do you respond when you don’t get your way? What would it look like for you to trust in God’s ways rather than your own?

Getting a ‘No’

It’s not easy hearing a ‘no’ from God, but this is often how he builds character and endurance in us; it’s for our benefit. When we continue trusting that he has our best interest in mind, the growing process will be a lot smoother. God does not enjoy seeing us suffer, but he is able to use it for good. Take a moment and consider why God says ‘no’ or ‘not yet’ to your prayer requests.

While it is good to develop practical wisdom and skills for your life, an over-reliance on these things can quickly lead to idolatry of intelligence or self-capabilities. Even those qualities come from God, yet many neglect to give him due credit. (Proverbs 2:6)

Accessibility

An amazing quality of Jesus is that he is accessible to everyone – the rich, the poor, the smart, the dumb. (Galatians 3:28) God doesn’t care about what you can offer him, he cares about your heart. (1 Samuel 16:7, Matthew 18:1-5, Acts 17:24-25) 

Matthew 6:33 says “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” This is a promise that if we have our priorities straight, we don’t need to worry about the rest because God will take care of it – what a relief! This, of course, does not mean you can be irresponsible about the matters of your life. It means keeping a healthy focus on what matters, knowing that all things are in God’s control.