“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

Undoubtedly, if you have experienced grief, trauma, or despair, you have lived through a season of drought, you have endured the scorching heat of inclement elements, and your leaves have wilted and withered. The evergreen promise eludes you; trust evades your sensibilities. Trust – the sentiment that personifies a firm belief in the integrity, ability, or character of a person. Our experience with grief, trauma, and despair, however, makes us question integrity and character and maybe even God’s ability to come to our rescue. How, then, do we trust? Whom should we trust? God? He did not prevent the challenge we face. He saw fit to stand back and let it happen…or worse yet, He orchestrated the painful event in our life. Can I trust Him? Or the spouse that played a pivotal role in this painful experience in our life, should we trust him or her? That would be a stretch! As a matter of fact, trusting another person to enter the realm of intimate relationship is influenced by prior experience.  

The good news is God will still operate in our lives in His imperceptible way whether we trust Him or not. Choosing to trust Him does not determine His involvement in our lives; it does allow us to take a step back and watch in awe as He works in our lives. So the bigger challenge will be how to trust a ‘person’ to not inflict pain or cause you harm again. Prior experience is the greatest influencer of present behavior, hence the phrases, “been there, done that” and “once bitten, twice shy”. How do I do this ‘trust tango’? By trusting the only One who is worthy of trust!

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Isaiah 43:2

This is His promise to you and me! But to experience life in all its fullness we have to be willing to “pass through the waters and walk through the fire”.

Trust in His ability to lead and guide: 

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.”

Psalm 143:8

Trust Him to be your defender:

“My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.”

Psalm 62:7

Trust Him to be your protector:

“He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber.”

Psalm 121:3