When life turns upside down, and you have nowhere to turn but God, sometimes trusting Him may be easier. However, as the dust settles and we are left to live with painful circumstances which leave us tired and overwhelmed, trusting God might get harder. How will you continue to trust God in the unexpected?
But Why Trust God?
“Trusting God when the miracle does not come, when the urgent prayer gets no answer, when there is only darkness—this is the kind of faith God values perhaps most of all. This is the kind of faith that can be developed and displayed only in the midst of difficult circumstances. This is the kind of faith that cannot be shaken because it is the result of having been shaken.”
―
Without a doubt, putting our trust in God is the best decision one could ever make. When we learn to put our assurance in God, we find a peace that transcends all understanding. Click here to read about “Finding Faith, Hope, and Love in the Unexpected.”
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
However, the best way to answer “Why trust God?” is to jump in and give it a try. Find out what difference it will make in your life.
How to Trust God: Five Steps
1. Choose Trust
We must decide upfront to believe God will take care of us. To know He has our best interest in mind. Do not wait for a feeling of confidence. We must call out to the Lord even when it makes no sense. Never make it contingent on the outcome.
In “Finding Faith, Hope, and Love,” I share with you some unbearable statements I needed to speak aloud to assure my trust entirely in God.
“I will trust you, God, if healing comes, if illness remains, and even if death occurs.” Click here to read the entire post.
Choosing trust isn’t always a one-time decision. All too often, I find myself with hands clenched tight and a stomach twisting and turning. Then the feelings of being overwhelmed and anxious quickly wash over me, and I immediately know it is time to go back and choose to trust God all over again.
We don’t necessarily need to struggle with the decision to trust God; we merely need to remind ourselves we have already chosen it.
“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
2. Draw Closer to God
Getting to know God must be a priority. After all, isn’t it easier to put your trust in the people you know? Trust is the foundation of all good relationships.
However, it takes an investment of time. It is no different with God; we must spend time talking, learning about him, and listening for his voice to form a trusting relationship.
This year I am using the prayer acronym T.R.U.S.T. to help me remember to daily trust in God. For free printable worksheets, click here.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
3. Cry Out to God
God has huge shoulders! We can go to him with anything. It may feel disrespectful to cry out to God, yet the Bible invites us to do so.
In God’s word, we see many examples of people lamenting to God. The Psalms are full of David crying out to the Lord. Then in Luke 10:40, Martha asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself?” “Tell her to help me!” Even Jesus in the garden asked, “Let this cup pass from me” in Matthew 26:39.
Be brutally honest with God. God is big, powerful, and full of grace. He can absorb any emotion we might have. Expressing our frustrations and pain to him is not wrong. Although we want to be careful, we aren’t grumbling about him.
“O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.” Psalm 62:8
4. Remember What God Has Done
Take the time to remember what God has done in your life and the lives of those around you. How did he show up for you in the past? It will help you to know God is with you and for you.
Journaling can serve as a great reminder of how the Lord has been faithful. It provides a place to look back and see how God has worked in your life. I start mine with “I will remember”……… and list out all the things I can think of where God has helped.
In Psalms 77, Asaph wrestles and cries out to God and then turns to remember how God has helped him in the past. In the end, he then turns to trust God in the unexpected.
5. Let Go of Your Grip
To fully trust God, we need to relinquish control and allow God to have it all. Letting go of your grip can be the hardest part! Many times we will need to do this over and over again.
When we give it all to God, it doesn’t mean we will do nothing. Instead, it indicates God will call the shots. We choose to put our trust in Him and be obedient to what He asks of us. Sometimes he merely needs us to move over so he can work.
A visual I often use to help me release my grip is a Moses Basket. I imagine placing my worries, burdens, and struggles into a basket. I then send them floating down the river into God’s hands as the brave Momma did with her precious baby. Click here to read “The Best Thing to do When Life Is Difficult.”
We must release our grip!
Letting go is tough, especially when it is someone you love. But when we are holding on, we aren’t trusting God 100%. Remember, God is amid your circumstances. Show him your trust by letting go and allowing him to have it all.
Trusting the Lord isn’t always easy!
If you are created strong and courageous, trusting God might not be where you turn first. Be aware and remember –
God's plan is the best plan and the one we ultimately want. Click To Tweet
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
When the unexpected hits, we may jump in with full trust. But then, as we settle into our “new normal,” it is easy to let our trust slip away. Do you ever do this? Although we may never understand or like the difficult circumstances in our lives. We don’t have to let that keep us from trusting a loving God. Our Lord has our best interest in mind. As I often say,
“I don’t like this God, but if this is what it takes for your will to be done, I am all in.” “I Trust You, God.”
How do you continue to trust God in the unexpected?
We would love to have you join our community.
Embracing the Unexpected | Maree Dee
Subscribe today and never miss a post!
This powerful prayer packet includes worksheets for using the prayer acronym T.R.U.S.T. and more. For more information, visit our “Embracing Prayer” page.
To find a few of my favorite places where I might be sharing this post, click here.
That is a really neat quote in the beginning. And I love that your first step is to choose trust. I think I have to start at choosing trust every morning!
Valerie – You are so right; we must choose trust every single morning. Blessings, Maree
Such truth here, my friend! Letting go of my tight grip is always the hardest (but the most important!)
Anita – Oh, yes I have a week of needing to loosen my grip. Glad you stopped by. I hope you are having an amazing weekend. Maree
“I don’t like this God, but if this is what it takes for your will to be done, I am all in.I Trust You, God.”…I say this often lately as well and although I know it’s ok as long as it’s not a whining to God, it was still a comfort to read your words as in I’m not alone in these feelings. Thank you for sharing so many good thoughts about trusting God! #desinationinspiration Link-up
April – No, you are not alone. I am right there with you. Thank you for stopping by and leaving your words. Maree
These are great tips! Trusting God is definitely not easy at times and it has to be an ongoing choice but remembering his past faithfulness can certainly help us to trust him more for the future.
Lesley – Thank you! Your encouragement always means so much. Maree
Yes! Choosing trust is hard! When we do we become so much closer to him and receive so much more when we allow God to direct ourselves and release the grip of what we are holding so tightly onto he can fill us with he most amazing gifts when we do! Great post!
Heather,
Amen!!! You are so right we receive so much when we choose to trust God. Blessings, Maree
This is so beautiful! I pray I can keep learning to trust God more and more. To be able to come to God with open handed prayers is beautiful trust in how much He loves us. I also love the visual of letting the basket float down the river. ❤
Donna – Thank you for your kind words. I am praying for you to continue to trust God more and more. I find for me it comes and goes and I need a tune up every once in a while. Blessings, Maree
He does want us to fully rely on Him, when we are weak He is strong,
Yes – So true! Blessings to you, Maree
Thank you for such a beautiful and encouraging post! I am using the TRUST prayer acronym and loving it. I am going put the recap list on steps in trusting in my prayer journal. The Lord is teaching me to abandon control to Him, so these are perfect reminders. Thanks again and sweet blessings to you!
Cheryl, Oh, you made my day. I am so glad you are using the T.R.U.S.T. acronym. I too use it. It is so easy to remember that I find myself using it throughout the day when I find myself with a few extra minutes. However, my favorite is to journal it. I hope your week has started well. Maree
That is uncanny – totally caught me. While preparing my post this morning, I almost shared this exact quote from Nancy Guthrie. It has always challenged – yet encouraged – me and I keep it written in my binder. I thought someone else might benefit from it today. (Guess I was right!) So glad you included it! Enjoyed your thoughts….have a great week!!
Jennifer – Thank you for sharing. Did your post go live? I would love to read it. Yes, I too love that quote. Blessings, Maree
This is one of my favorite verses: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9 NIV
I love the imagery that comes to mind when you say God has huge shoulders. Yes he does. We can rest our head on his shoulders and cry out to him fully knowing that weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.
And yes, when we look back on all he has done and how he’s brought us through, it gives us hope that he will do it again.
As Yolanda Adams sings in the background, I am just a prayer away, call my name with your heart and yes, I’ll hear every word you say, when you cry at night, I’ll wipe your tears away, just pray my love, I’ll be there right away.
Yvonne,
I too love Joshua 1:9. I cling to the fact that we are never alone.
Thank you for your encouraging and thoughtful post. As I close my eyes tonight, I am imagining my head resting on his shoulders. Your words were just what I needed. I am going to have to search for the song you mentioned it sounds wonderful.
I am so glad you stopped by and left your beautiful words.
Blessings,
Maree