By Carey Helmink
I am a fairly transparent person. I’m not very good at pretending that I’m okay when I’m not. I typically call a spade a spade. I think my poor pastor husband lives with a certain amount of fear that I’m going to say something at some point that might get him fired. Anyway, all I can really offer you on any given Tuesday is a glimpse into what I’m learning and/or struggling with in my life and hope that it has some relevance for you.
I have been thinking a lot lately about what it means to trust Jesus. I know that seems like an incredibly basic concept, but I have to admit I don’t have it mastered. The dictionary defines trust as “the firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability or strength of someone or something.” Judging from that definition, I think it’s safe to say the object of my trust is of critical importance.
Some of you have had the joy of teaching one (or many) of your children to drive. Think back to that time you sat on the passenger side of the car while your child took the wheel – for the first time. I’m guessing you may not have felt a firm belief in their ability to do this thing. On the other hand I, for one, can sleep all the way to Texas if my husband is driving because I have full confidence that he can handle the task. It is much easier to trust my husband with his years of driving experience than it is to trust someone who is driving for the first time.
My trust in Jesus will only be as strong as my understanding of who He is and of what He is capable. I know this sounds terribly elementary, but I am realizing again and again that the more time I spend in the scriptures–the more I trust the author of those words. The more I am reminded of his faithfulness in the past – the more able I am to trust him. And I trust not only his faithfulness in MY past but his faithfulness through the ages as he has been there for his people time and time again.
FYI – The antithesis of trust is fear. If my stomach is in knots and my mind is swirling with anxiety, I’m probably not trusting that God has things under control.
Isaiah 12:2 says: “See, God has come to save me. I will trust in him and not be afraid. The Lord God is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.”
And Psalm 56:4: “I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?”
Think for a minute about the many influences in your life – news, magazine articles, social media, conversations with friends or family. How many of those things (or people) encourage you to trust Jesus with your fears and worries? Personally, I have to discipline my mind to dwell on those things that encourage me to trust in the Lord with all of my heart.
When my eyes are on my circumstances instead of on Jesus, I can so easily stop trusting him. Years ago when we lived in Colorado, Kyle was a counseling intern at a church. As we got to know the people, we came to find out there was a couple who had recently lost a daughter to cancer, the pastor’s wife had miscarried twins, another couple lost a baby at 39 weeks and friends of that same couple lost a baby to SIDS. . . . I have to say, I was ready to pack up my children and run for my life. If I focused only on the circumstances in that church, my conclusion would be that if I stayed there, I might lose a child. This is simply one of many examples in my life where I have had to remind myself that Christ can be trusted, not only with my life, but with the lives of my children.
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.” Psalms 9:10
Be reminded today, girlfriends, that God is trustworthy. What he says is true – always. He has been faithful in the past and will continue to be faithful until he completes a good work in each one of us. And, in the end, He wins – which means we win as well.
Jesus, Jesus how I trust him;
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er.
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus,
Oh for grace to trust him more.
Equip Her 