I wanted to write about trusting God. However, completing this task has been a huge challenge. It has been more of a challenge than I thought it would or should be. You see, I would consider myself a woman of great faith and, after all, it is impossible to have faith without some level of trust. As for me, I believe in the impossible. I always approach insurmountable obstacles with a can and never a can’t. Perhaps it’s not always, but often. I remain as conscious of Philippians 4:13 as possible. Actually, “as conscious as possible” typically kicks in after I get to the end of me and my efforts. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (NKJV).” Me! He is strengthening me so I can accomplish what I need. Right? Wrong and how selfish of me to take that approach. It involves no one but me and the use of God’s might for my purposes, but in His name. That is neither faith nor trust.
Despite many dictionary definitions and for our purposes, I submit that faith and trust are not the same. They are not interchangeable and a growth in faith does not equal a growth in trust particularly where we and Christ are concerned. Faith is a belief in God and His works without having actually seen Him firsthand or seeing His works manifested; yet. Trust is an assurance or reliance in who He is and His abilities. Faith is a belief. Trust is an action. We have gotten too comfortable believing that faith in a living God means we trust that same God completely. When truly we live with a cross around our neck and bible in our hand, meanwhile single handedly trying to make things happen and fix situations by ourselves and for ourselves. We cannot have it both ways. We cannot believe a bridge exists, trust that bridge to carry us over the water, but build a boat to take us from one shore to the next. Like any life skill, we must do the work needed build our trust in God. Only when we completely trust in Him, will we have the ability to release worry and insecurities, and trust ourselves and others. Join me in this 5-part, weekly series to expose some challenges and discover some strategies for building and growing trust in God.
