Growing In Grace

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Growing in Grace Part 14 - Trust God? But How?

by Gail Rodgers
As we face the day -to -day challenges of life we are told to “trust God” with the uncertainties that worry us. Trust God with the blind corners and with that next step even when it feels there is nowhere to place your foot. It can sound so trite at times when our minds swim with the “what if” possibilities.

When we are in the trenches of financial struggle; relationship anguish; health crisis; joblessness; or any number of seemingly brick walls it can be difficult to know how to actually put feet to trusting God in those moments.
This week my brother shared with me 3 very practical steps that he uses to put feet to trusting God day by day. It’s simply too good not to share.
There may be a big issue facing you right now OR simply the small stuff of every day that can become perplexing and confusing. It may be something within yourself that causes you to stumble as you walk. In whatever it is that concerns your heart and mind today these 3 steps will bring your heart to rest in God and trust Him fully with the outcome.
R1 - Release
Name the concern, the issue, the source of confusion, the circumstance that is worrying you or the thing within yourself that you know you need to change. Then offer it to God sincerely. Take it out of your mental backpack and place the weight of it in Jesus’ lap. See the love in His eyes as He takes your burden from you.

“Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:7

Releasing your worry to God means that you place it entirely with Him. You give up your need to control the outcome and you give it to Jesus to deal with as He sees fit. It doesn’t mean you no longer take any actions, it simply means you leave the outcome for God’s to manage. This is the hardest step. We all have solutions that we feel would be best and we often want God to work things out according to our plan. Releasing our current concern to Him means we leave the outcome in His hand.
R2- Resist

“The enemy of your soul will come to steal from you. He wants to rob you of your peace and your confidence in Jesus’ ability to carry your burden for you. When the negative and doubting thoughts come, and they will, resist the desire to play them over in your mind. Capture them and stand firm on the truth that “the Lord will perfect that which concerns me.” Psalm 138:8

“Resist the devil and He will flee from you…” James 4:7 & 8

Capturing your thoughts means paying attention to what is playing in your mind. When worry begins to take hold recognize it and resist the thought. Declare again that you have cast that worry onto God and you are believing the word of God which says He cares for you and will perfect what concerns you.
R3 - Rejoice
Give God praise for who He is and for His love and faithfulness to you. Thank Him, in all your circumstances, that He is the author and finisher of all things. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Offer your thanksgiving as a sacrifice to Him. Declare it out loud even when your feelings aren’t following. The sacrifice of thanksgiving has great power in the spiritual realm as it honors God and actually paves the way for God to work.

“He who sacrifices thank offerings honors me, and he prepares the way so that I may show him the salvation of God.” Psalm 50:23

“TRUST in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3: 5 & 6

prayer & reflection

Father God,
Thank you that You are with me and able to help me trust You with my life. Please help me today to identify what it is that is stealing my joy. Help me to give it completely to You and to release my need to control the outcome. When worry tries to settle in help me to resist letting it take hold in my heart and mind as I set my thoughts on You and Your promise to perfect what concerns me. Help me grow in thanksgiving and offering my thanks to you especially when it is a sacrifice to do so. I trust You today with all my heart. May I not lean on what I think is best but simply look to You to direct my path this day. Thank you that You hear my prayer and know my concerns.
In the strong name of Jesus I pray, amen.