If you are on my email list, you probably received a devotional the other day about releasing your past. I shared some key things God has taught me about the power of forgiveness to set us free from the pains of our past.
In the devotional, I mentioned that this journey of forgiveness is closely linked to our ability to TRUST God. I received an email from another student of God who agreed, and emphasized how important that word is -TRUST.
His email really got me thinking about TRUST, and it’s role in our entire relationship with God. I mean, if you really think about it, the foundation of every relationship that we will ever have in life is trust. And how much more so is it the foundation of our relationship with our Heavenly Daddy…or our lack of a relationship?
The Bible reminds us that without faith, it is impossible to please God. Why? It says that in order to come to Him we must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Well, what is all of that in a nutshell? It’s TRUST.
Do we trust that He is really there? Do we trust that He is Who He says He is? Do we trust that it is His desire to reward us?
Or do we secretly question His motives and heart towards us? Do we have hidden blame or fear towards Him because of our past? Blame and fear that is causing us to question His intentions and doubt our future?
God promises that He has plans for us. Plans for good and not for evil. Plans to give us a future and a hope.
But, do we trust those plans? The BIG million dollar question: Do we trust His plans and vision for our lives more than we do our own?
And, do we trust His ability to bring those plans to pass in our daily life? Or, do we still think “If it’s to be it’s up to me!”
Are we still trying to force our way? Trying to force our will?
Do we wants God’s will…only if it lines up with our own? Or do we really TRUST that His will for our lives is always better and His plan always sweeter?
Yes, our God is a God Who answers prayer. But that does not mean we should become little Me Monsters running around trying to use prayer as a way to manipulate Him into bringing our will to pass.
I believe that one of the signs of true spiritual maturity is the ability to pray, like Jesus did, “not my will, Abba, but Your’s be done…” When we are able to totally trust God so much that we totally surrender our will to His, then we have moved from mere religion to a true, trusting relationship with Him.
