Trust is something we put into action every day. I trust that other commuters driving on the highway will obey the rules and stay in their lanes. I trust that my internet or Wi-Fi connection will work, allowing me to access Google or Instagram.
We trust man-made laws and technology, even when they sometimes fail or fall short. So, why is it so difficult to trust God? Why is it that we lose trust in Him when He doesn’t immediately answer our prayers or quickly fulfill His promises? Why do we so easily forget that He is the one who fuels our dreams and purpose?
Lately, my mantra has been I trust You, God. Even when it feels like everything is falling apart. Even when I have no idea what to do next. Even when it looks like all my hard work has gone to waste. I trust You, God.
That dependence and reliance on God is somehow one of the most difficult things for me to give, because I’m releasing control. Instead of relying on my own strength, reason or wisdom, I’m admitting that I don’t know everything and God does.
Maybe that’s why I admire the character of Joseph so much. When Joseph was only a boy, God gave him a big dream. Joseph didn’t know the extent of his dream. He didn’t know he would one day save millions of people, including his own nation, from starvation. At the time, he only saw a snippet of the dream. But the incredible thing is that Joseph wasn’t personally ready yet for his dream’s fulfillment.
“Until the time came to fulfill his dreams, the Lord tested Joseph’s character.” (Psalm 105:19 NLT)
God knew the perfect time to plant the dream within Joseph. God knew what needed to happen in order for that seed to grow and develop, and He knew it would take years. But those years wouldn’t be stagnant for Joseph. Instead, God used that time to develop him into a man of wisdom, maturity, dependability, trust, mercy, generosity and perseverance.
In order for Joseph to become that man, he had to go through heart-breaking trials. He experienced rejection, abuse, disappointment, slander, temptation, loneliness, power struggles and isolation.
Why would God allow those things into his life? How could a God who had promised Joseph good things allow those awful situations to happen? Because God knew what Joseph was made of. He knew the potential Joseph possessed within him. He knew the power of Joseph’s dream. So, God presented Joseph with multiple opportunities to show that he trusted God.
“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold — though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” (1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT)
We all have God-given dreams and purpose. But maybe you’ve haven’t seen that dream fulfilled yet and you’re beginning to doubt whether you actually received a promise.
“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.” (Ecclesiastes 3:11 NLT)
Maybe you don’t think you’re good enough.
“Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” (Ephesians 3:20)
Maybe you find yourself growing angry, confused or disappointed.
“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; He will neither fail you nor abandon you.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NLT)
Maybe you’ve put so much hard work into developing your dream and it looks like nothing is happening.
“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue His work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” (Philippians 1:6 NLT)
You’re not alone. If God gave you a dream, He trusts that you can handle it and the necessary development to fulfill it. So, trust Him in return.
“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.” (Isaiah 43:19 NLT)
BY JEN ENGLISH
You can follow Jennifer English on her personal blog https://jensrandommusings.wordpress.com/
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