Have you ever participated in a group event where there was a trust walk or a trust fall?

Even if you know all the members of your party, and are fairly certain that they will look out for your best interest, do you find it difficult to trust that they will lead you, or catch you, or keep you safe?

 

Trust.

 

Just five letters.

 

A small word filled with the potential power for goodness, tenderness, and love.

A word that could be equated with safety.

Today our relationships and authoritative entities are wrought with a lack of trust.

We say trust must be earned.  Many are not worthy of our trust.  Most of us trust few.

But….

There is ONE who is Trustworthy. 

 

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.  Proverbs 3:5-6

 

Do we believe those words?

The bigger question.  Do you or I act as if we really believe those words?

 

Contented Kitty | Gold & White Long Hair Cat | AnExtraordinaryDay.net

I remember standing back stage several years ago practicing the words I would be speaking to a large audience of elementary-aged children.  One of the phrases in my talk was this, “I can trust God no matter what.”   And then the Holy Spirit spoke these words in my heart, “Diane, do you really?”  My immediate thought was, “I want to think that I do.”

As I reflect back, I trusted God with most of my life.  But, not all of it.  I didn’t think, “Oh, I need to handle this on my own, I don’t need God for this.”   Instead I would simply take a matter in my own hands and act on it, without consulting God.  I may even have ignored his whisper, dismissing it without much thought.  On my own I made what seemed to be wise decisions at the time that actually turned out to be rather poor ones.  Decisions which demonstrated my lack of trust in God.

I’ve had to confess it and ask for God’s forgiveness.

Are you in that awkward spot, too?

He is waiting.

Gold & White Fluffy Cat | Joy is an evidence of our trust in God | AnExtraordinaryDay.net

 

When we choose not to trust God we hurt ourselves.  We rob ourselves of joy.

Today is Joy Day!  Yet, I’m sensing that some of us are lacking in joy.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control.   Galatians 5:22, 23

 

Joy is an evidence of our trust in God.

 

What stands in our way of trusting God?  I think it’s…. me, myself, and I.

Maybe you are like me and have something weighing heavily on you.   Who am I to think that I need to carry that burden myself?  He has made a way.  It’s so simple and yet so difficult.  Put down the burden and step out-of-the-way so he can work.  That’s trust.

Whatever your situation…will you join me in trusting God?  

 

There are definite benefits, promises, to following the lead of the psalmist and trusting God…

Trust in the Lord and do good,
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord,
And he will give you your heart’s desires.
Commit everything you do to the Lord.
Trust him, and he will help you.
He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn,
And the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun.

Psalm 37:3-6 (emphasis my own)

 

Trusting our heavenly Father for our complete care | Tabby cat basking in the sun | AnExtraordinaryDay.net

Who needs a “trust walk” when we can embrace the words above like the warmth of the sun that my cat has snuggled in today.  Words I can rely on. And for those of us who need to “do,” we can….trust, do good, delight, and commit.  And look what we get in return!  A burden released.  Hope.  And when we put our focus on HIM…trusting and thanking…we’re filled with joy.  Joy!

 

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
Let those also who love Your name
Be joyful in You.    Psalm 5:11

 

I rejoice in the ONE who is worthy of my trust.

Five letters.  One God.  Holy.  Trustworthy.  Good.

 

Do you trust him?  Rejoice!

Do you love him?  Be joyful!

Shout. For. Joy!

 

Let’s “shout for joy” together!

Here are just seven from this week.  Gifts. Gratitude. Blessings.

  • Yay! for the removal of a heater
  • Yay! for the gift of a buffet, cabinet, table
  • Yay! for more poison ivy
  • Yay! for wireless internet again
  • Yay! for blue canning jars & clothes pins
  • Yay! for my love cleaning up my mess
  • Yay! for new porch fun

Now it’s YOUR turn to “shout for joy!”  

Please add yours…at least ONE….in the Share Your Thoughts below.

 

Joyfully!

Diane

 

Take the Joy Dare at: A Holy Experience.   Or find ONE THING to be thankful for each day and write it down.  Then, come back next week and share your joys here.

 

P.S.   The felines in the photos are mine.  The gold and white is Taylor, the tiny tabby is Poppy.  We have one more, Lily, she didn’t make the blog ‘this’ time.  They trust us for their complete care.  You and I need to trust our heavenly Father for our complete care as well.

 

Comments

  1. Sheila Skilllingstead says

    Diane, thank you for the beautiful blog. Yes, you fit in the Year of Blogging and Journaling group. I don’t blog a lot about my faith for several reasons. Maybe I’ll write a blog about that. I seriously was thinking about that today as I was driving down I-5. Gifts-My family, my ability to write. Gratitude–gardening on our slopes can be dangerous. I thank God that I did not fall even though I stepped on a small log that tried to roll me down the hill. The ankles that didn’t twist, the back that didn’t get wrenched. Every time that happened, I knew God was there keeping crazy me from hurting myself. Blessings-my family, my friends, and especially this week, air-conditioning. Sorry for those of you without. I’ve been there.

    • Diane says

      Sheila thank you for your kind words of encouragement. This is a weekly exercise for me. I really started out to make it more light and joy-filled, a counting of gifts, but then my heart took the more beautiful path. I believe that this is what I am to do to start my week. The rest of the week, I’m still trying to figure out. Thank you for sharing your gifts/gratitude. You surely discovered his hand of protection. This is my first year of air-conditioning in a long time. It is soo wonderful to be able to sleep at night. What a blessing.
      Wishing you An Extraordinary week!!!

  2. Trust me are words that often cause us to back off and wonder if those words were glibly spoken by a salesmans heart or a con artist. However when God says those words, we can safely place our trust in Him.

    • Diane says

      So well said, Robert! He truly is our safe place.
      Wishing you An Extraordinary Day!

  3. Hi Diane,
    Thanks for the reminder to trust God, and when we fail to do so, we lose out on joy…I am grateful God is patient with me as I learn to trust Him more…Linked up behind you at Seedlings…Blessings!
    P.S. cute cats 🙂

    • Diane says

      Hi Dolly! Thanks for stopping by! There are so many ramifications to trusting or not trusting God. He really is all about our good and his glory…and loving each one of us.
      Hope your day is Extraordinary!

  4. What a great idea! I have been using an app diary on my phone, trying to capture the highlights of each day (good or bad) but I end up listing off things I’m thankful for. 🙂

    • Diane says

      Welcome Leslie!
      The only thing that really matters is developing a heart of gratitude. It changes our world. Glad you’ve found a system that works!
      Hope your day is blessed and Extraordinary!

      Reply

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