Sunday, March 24, 2013

Learning to Trust

How many times have we put our trust in another person only to be disappointed? As kids, maybe we trusted a parent to be on time to pick us up and they were repeatedly late. As we got older and made friends, we might have had a friend who we shared private secrets with only to regret that decision later when we discovered they had shared our confidences with another. Or, maybe it’s our mate who we learned wasn’t as committed to their vows as we were. And what parent of a teenager hasn’t struggled with issues of trust as their child tested the waters.  

If you’ve been repeatedly disappointed by others, you can easily become bitter. Possibly you’ve been hurt so much you’ve hardened your heart to allowing others inside, careful not to let yourself get entangled again with another who just might hurt you.
Sometimes, we forget that we, too, have disappointed others. For some reason we can easily explain or brush off our own failures, expecting others to be understanding and okay when we don’t come through. Yet, we aren’t always so quick to accept the explanations given to us by others.

But here’s the thing:  No one keeps their word one hundred percent of the time, including you. We might plan on it and truly mean to, but unforeseen things happen in life that can thwart the best laid plans. For instance, we can’t control the weather, illness, or job loss, all of which can cause us to not be able to keep our word.

How can we avoid becoming bitter and hard-hearted when others let us down? It’s really very simple, if we are a child of God—we put our faith and trust in Jesus. If we are a born again Christian we have direct access to the Lord—a covenant relationship where, out of our love for God and through our relationship with His Son, He guides our steps. When others disappoint us (and they will), if we immediately turn to God and share it with Him, He promises to be there for us.

It is a habit that becomes easier over time, putting our trust in God, but when we do we are immediately blessed with His peace that passes understanding. Just as in Bible times, when Jesus came through, time and time again, He will do so for us, too, in His way and in His timing. Never will He leave us or forsake us. Jesus is a true friend, who sticks closer than a brother. We can trust Him…no matter what.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).

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