Do you trust those around you will value and protect you? Do you trust that what others say is the truth? Do you trust the plane does not crash? Do you trust your spouse will be faithful? Do you trust a politician or car salesman? Trust believes in honesty, integrity, and justice, but all of us have been betrayed at one time or another. Some of us has been betrayed multiple times because we live in a sinful world. So how can we trust?
I recently went to Israel, and I was so anxious about everything related to the trip. Why? As I pondered why, I realized it was because I focused on all the things that could go wrong. My thoughts were dictating my behavior choice to be anxious. I also realized that my thoughts were controlled by memories of plane crashes, terrorist attacks, lost luggage, etc. I do have to admit, sedatives (natural) were my best friend while flying. Also, the unknown made me anxious. I was such an emotional mess that I got hives. In short, I was not trusting God. So I decided to focus my thoughts on God’s protection and help. Remember, our thoughts have negative or positive energy, so controlling our thoughts controls our reactions.
As I was packing for the trip, I found Psalms 62:1,2, and 8 written out on a card, so I put this in my pocket to help me focus on God’s protection. Every time I felt anxious, I would read these verses, which says: “1) My soul finds rest in God only, from Him is my salvation. 2) He only is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold, I shall not be greatly shaken. 8) Trust in Him at all times; you people, pour out your heart before Him; God is a hiding-place for us.” I often recalled Psalms 91, which also reinforces that I can trust God and no harm will come near me. Many other scriptures help us focus on God and the fact that we can trust Him. I encourage you to keep these scriptures before you and to memorize them, so you can recall them when you get anxious.
Let’s be practical, what does trust look like? For me, it is the quiet confidence that God is in control and is ordering my steps. Trust believes He loves me and has my best interest in mind, even if it means I have to go through trials to improve my character and make me more like Him. Trust is the confidence that God is faithful and will protect me and sustain me in everything I do.
Remember, our enemy (the devil) wants to steal our peace and quietness, and he will bring to our mind all the memories of the bad things that have happened or could happen. Resist him; James 4: 7 says, “Therefore submit yourselves to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” You will maintain your peace and confidence when you quote the truth of God’s Word and turn your mental focus on God and His faithfulness. Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep him/her in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You; because he/she trusts in You.” I can attest to this truth, and I have no anxiety as long as I put my trust in God.
But you may ask, who is God and why should I trust Him or that the Bible is truth? I know that God is an all-powerful, loving, and all-knowing Spirit who always existed and always will exist. The Bible is written by God through men for our benefit, so we can know Him and know that we can trust Him. I have seen many miracles in my life because I chose to trust God, and He was there to protect and provide for me. I may blog about that some time.
On the flip side, can you be trusted? Are you faithful? Do you have integrity? To learn more about trust read the following page of my book: TRUST AND FAITHFULNESS Issues
Also read my blog post on Anxiety: ANXIETY: Protected by Worry and Fear Strongholds
The following are truth statements to focus on:
It is safe to trust God and do what is good, and He will direct me. Ps. 37:3-5 (Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act.)
I can trust God’s faithfulness to be a shield around me as I put my trust in Him, and I will not be afraid. Ps. 91:4 (He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.); 56:4,11 (In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me? 11) in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can man do to me?)
Trust believes the good thing God is doing, and my heart does not need to be troubled, for He is my salvation. John 14:1 (“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.), Isa. 25:9 (“It will be said on that day, “Behold, this is our God; we have waited for him, that he might save us. This is the LORD; we have waited for him; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.”)
I can be trusted, and I am faithful with what God has given me. Lk. 16:10 (“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much.)
I can trust and believe that my life has a purpose and that God has a plan for my life, which gives me hope… Jer. 29:11-13 (“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. 13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.”)
As I trust in God, He is my refuge, and His unfailing love and favor surround me. Ps. 32:10 (“Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.”); 7:1(“O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge; save me from all my pursuers and deliver me,”); 5:12 (“For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.”)
When I trust and believe in Jesus, I will not be disappointed. Rom. 9:33 (“as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”); I Peter 2:6b (“For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious, and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”)
I will not put my hope in the uncertainty of riches but in God who richly supplies me with all things to enjoy. I Tim. 6:17-19 (“As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”); Phil 4:19 (“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”)
I am blessed when I trust and hope in the Lord, and I make him my confidence. Jer. 17:7 (“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD.”)
What other truth statements and supporting scriptures can you add to this list?
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P.S.: Experiencing a lasting change in your life depends on having a right relationship with God the Father through believing in His Son Jesus Christ and obeying His command to love (1 John 3).
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