Why Should We Trust God?
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- Updated Jun 21, 2023
Trust. A familiar concept but one that, on occasion, feels quite foreign. Trust is something I don’t do too much nowadays, not with people and, too often, not with God. The longer I live, the more reason I find to doubt, to be cynical, especially as I watch my society stray away from tradition, from marriage, from family, from reality, and from God. I’ve struggled with trust in my own life, too - rent, jobs, and relationships. Funny to think, there are certain aspects of my life I have hardly thought about twice and other areas where I have struggled not to think.
Each of us undergoes that wrestle with trust. Some concerns we avoid naturally, while others plague our minds incessantly.
In those times of difficulty, I’ve striven to cast away my doubts and place confidence in God. Though not always unscathed, I have always come out of the situation. Not only that, but my trust grew in the process. Yet, just when you think you’ve managed to get the trusting aspect of faith down, something even bigger comes along and poses a more significant challenge.
The suffering lasts longer. The stakes are greater. You’re more vulnerable than ever before, and potential catastrophe has never felt so near, or at least, that’s what the doubt says.
Every time I think I’ve reached the pinnacle of trust, I am reminded of just how much I need to grow in my faith. Maybe this is a part of our refinement process as Christians. God helps us to grow for a specific time in a specific area. We reach a new level. Then at some point, he helps us to grow more at a specific time in another specific area.
As Christians, the issue is not necessarily whether or not we have our trust tested, but rather, how we respond to the test. Ideally, the outcome should be developing a deeper relationship with the Lord.
“Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
Why Should We Trust God?
Part of what makes trusting God difficult is that we lose sight of why He deserves our trust. There are a number of reasons we could discuss, but they all boil down to one idea, God loves us.
“For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
God sent His son to die for us. He forgives us for our sins. He helps mature us as believers. God teaches us, guides us, protects us, provides, formed us in our mothers’ wombs. The list goes on and on, all because He loves us.
The question isn’t why should we trust God, the question is why shouldn’t we? Why would we not trust Him if He possesses such great love for us? Love that transcends time, our existence, and the love that even those closest to us hold.
Without recognizing His love, there is no sure way to trust Him. I certainly attest to doubting that love in my lowest moments. The doubt sets in, and my trust fades away. His love feels more like my imagination, than reality.
But even on our best days, even when we’re trying to keep that recognition of His love strong, even if we know why we should trust God, sometimes we don’t know how to demonstrate that trust.
What Does Trusting Entail?
One believer very acquainted with trusting and doubting God was David. His psalms reveal the ambivalence that we, too, so often feel. Sometimes he asked God pressing and emotional questions, and sometimes he expressed sheer confidence in the Lord. Often he did this in the same psalm.
“How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1)
“But I have trusted in your faithful love; my heart will rejoice in your deliverance. I will sing to the Lord because he has treated me generously.” (Psalm 13:5-6)
This is usually the cycle of our thinking, frustrated with a circumstance, questioning God, then returning to a place of trust. When we do manage to trust, like David, we usually exhibit three behaviors.
Patience
The Bible talks in detail about waiting on God. In conjunction with being told not to fear, we are reminded that He will meet our needs as He sees fit. God provides for the birds of the sky. Certainly, He will also provide for us who are made in His image and who He loves more.
Gratitude
Thanksgiving is not just our way of telling God how much we appreciate Him. Giving thanks is a reminder to us of just how much God does on a regular basis, some of which we take for granted and much of which goes unnoticed.
Trusting in God entails prayer, prayer when we don’t think we need it, and especially when we do. Talking to God is how we find that perfect peace that He offers, how we find direction, and His provision. Prayer keeps us in His will.
If you’re seeking to build your trust in the Lord, then here are three prayers to encourage that today.
3 Prayers for Trusting God
Prayer for Patience
Lord,
I want to put my trust in you, my full and complete trust, but my patience is being tested. Waiting is difficult. I don’t know how long I’ll be in this season, dealing with the discomfort, the anxiety, the hurt. I just want the problems to go away. Far away.
But Lord, as your Son said, not my will, only yours. Please help me to be more patient. Help me to place confidence in you worthy of your name. Day by day, Lord.
In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayer for Gratitude
God,
There are more reasons than I can give, even conceive, of why I ought to be thankful for you. Though neither my words nor my actions will ever be enough, I still want to say thank you in this prayer.
There is no circumstance, no relationship, no day I ever want to experience apart from you. Thank you for all you do!
In your Son’s Name. Amen.
A Prayer to Keep Praying
Lord,
Some days I just don’t want to pray. Some days I think, what's the use? Nothing is going to change. Nothing has changed. Nothing will change. No matter how much I try or how much I pray. God, why?
Why should I keep going when you’ve left me here to fend for myself?
I’m trying so desperately to stay afloat. But honestly, I just want to sink. I want to give in, give up, but deep down, I know. I know that your way is better. There must be something I can’t see. Something I don’t understand. Something that you know and have yet to reveal. Something.
So, instead, I ask you to strengthen me. Help me to keep praying, even when I want to stop. Remind me that just as your love endures, so should my prayer.
Please, God, and thank you.
Amen.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Sinenkiy
