Trust- Goodness and Growing Pains

A common misconception is that trusting God automatically makes our situation easier. But sometimes, it makes it harder. Trust grows us and growth comes with pain. Trusting God also means surrendering control and that's far from easy. But, of course, hard doesn't mean bad. Lots of good comes from trusting God, including growth and surrender, but what else?

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

First, guidance and reliance. When we fully trust in Him, we lean, not on what we know, but into Him and what He knows (which is far more than us). And it also brings guidance. He guides our path, keeps us on a straight path, fixed on Him.

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. Psalm 56:3

Second, trusting in Him brings peace. At first it might be difficult to surrender, but when we finally let go, and rest in the fact that God is holding it, peace floods in. God brings peace. In John 16:33, Jesus actually offers it to us, but lets us know it's a choice by saying, "in me you MAY have peace..." Choosing to fully trust Him is choosing peace, because you know if it's in His hands, He will perfectly place it in His plan and use it for good.

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. Jeremiah 17:7-8

The last one we'll talk about is this one. Oh it's so good! When we trust Him, we are confident, prosperous (despite our circumstances), and we are fruitful. We are confident, not in ourselves, but in Him. We full trust that He knows what He's doing and it will be GOOD. Prosperous. No matter what comes our way we can stand firm, because of our God. Because we trust that our times are in His hands We prosper, even in difficult situations, not because we have it all together. But because He does and when we trust Him, He fuels us, brings water, life to us. We prosper because He's providing. (Know I don't mean we are rich, have all we want, etc., but rather, we withstand all that comes to us because He provides for us, He shows up for us). And of course, we are fruitful. When we surrender and lean into Him, we listen more. Seek His Word. And spend time in prayer over the things we have entrusted to Him. Surrender is vulnerable and with that comes lots of trust. Trusting God allows for Him to pour into and teach us, thus giving us all we need to pour into others, therefore bearing fruit.

Realize this, good things come from trusting God, but also know that it doesn't mean your situation becomes good. Trusting God results in growth and growth comes with lots of growing pains, so expect them. But please don't miss all the joy and lessons that are hidden treasures that can be found in trusting God. He is good and He has your situation, let go, it's ok. Trusting in Him brings guidance, reliance, peace, confidence, prosperity, fruitfulness, and so much more. Let's trust our good God with our good and less than good circumstances.