Psalm 37:5-6
Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
In general, people are hesitant to trust. For good reasons, many shrink back when hearing the word “trust” because of past hurts and disappointments. That pain can come from a variety of places: abandonment by a parent; a dishonest church or civic leader; betrayal from a close friend; or, most difficult of all, distrust in oneself. I meet people weekly who are in a major trust crisis.
While distrust among people is understandable and often justifiable, distrust also brings with it an unintended consequence - one that will stifle your ability to grow and mature spiritually. This happens when distrust becomes embedded in your heart preventing you from fully trusting the only One who is worthy of all your trust. In other words, if you have a constant, distrusting attitude towards people, you will likely have a constant, distrusting attitude towards God.
The good news is that broken trust in your past does not need to hijack your future. You can learn to trust again and enjoy all the benefits of placing your life in the Father’s Hands. It will not happen instantly, but it will happen in step with God’s perfect timing. Here are seven practical suggestions:
1. Keep a journal of all the small ways God is faithful to you daily.
2. Put your trust in God not a man/woman of God.
3. Confess your honest feelings of distrust to God asking Him to help you.
4. Choose not to overreact or overthink when walking in confusing seasons.
5. Stop spending energy and effort on people who are not trustworthy.
6. Evaluate your progress semi-annually not daily.
7. Understand that trust is a choice not a reward.
We worship the God who is able to sympathize with the pain of betrayal and broken trust. He has experienced them daily since that fateful day in the Garden. Yet, God does not break His covenant with us. It is not in His nature to do so. He alone is worthy and worth your learning to trust again.
Ex nihilo,
R.J. Rhoden
