Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Trust=Dependence

"I know God will not give me anything I can't handle. I just wish He didn't trust me so much"
--Mother Teresa

Webster defines trust as, "dependence on something future or contingent."

I've been thinking a lot about "trust" lately. What exactly does that really mean? I have to be honest, before I looked up what Webster had to say, in my mind I defined it as this: to wholeheartedly believe that something or someone is who or what they perceive to be. Would you agree with that statement? Looking at the real definition I have to disagree with my thought process. I love the way Webster defines it-dependence...thats a huge word. To depend means life altering. Think about it; if you depend on someone to follow through with something, and they don't, it affects your life. Whether it be small or big, it affects your life.

For years, we have been taught to put our trust in God-to depend on Him if you will. And throughout my life I have done so, or at least tried my very best to. Putting your trust in God is a very easy thing to do...when things are easy. Its when things start to get "out of our control" that trusting becomes a difficult task to accomplish. Its really quite stupid if you think about it. Why is it so hard to trust God when you KNOW it is out of your control?? I hate that!!!

Without going into much detail, I am being faced with a circumstance that is clearly out of my control! I literally have no choice but to Trust in Him. I think its interesting when God decides to put something in your life that makes you realize how little control you actually have. Think about it; you wake up one morning and everything is great! You go about your day like you do everyday only to wake up the next morning and have your whole world turned upside down...or so you think(things always seem worse when you're in the middle vs. when its all over). Sometimes I wonder if God has a timeline. "lets see here...I haven't thrown anything Lindsays way in a while to make her really trust Me." haha I know He doesn't have this...but it feels this way at times.

All of this rambling to say...I could use some prayer. This verse is the only thing getting me through this circumstance right now:
Proverbs 3:5-6
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding
In all your ways,
submit to Him
and He will make your paths straight."

5 comments:

  1. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Loved this blog! I love the way that God causes us to look deeper into the meanings of things. Trust me girly, you are not alone! Praying for you!!! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dear Lindsay,

    What a wonderful thing you did when you went deeper to learn more about trust. O the sweet abandon of freedom trusting the Lord absolutely brings to the soul and heart!

    Praise Him that your "circumstance" caused you to go deeper--He has never disappointed you or anyone else you know. He has never betrayed any of us either. He received a heart's desire from you because your relationship with Him now has more depth. Hallelujah!

    I think of a word picture when I read Solomon's admonishment to not lean on our own understanding: Stories of termite damage include observing a wooden door that looks solid. However, because of the termite ravage inside the door, the door is hollowed and fragile. If we were to lean on it because of how we perceived it (our own understanding), we would not be supported as we believed we would. We would crash to the floor!

    Jesus trusted absolutely in the Father when his body was impaled by thorns, cat o' nine tails, and spikes. He understands our circumstances. Absolutely.

    My life verse has trust in it too:

    Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning,
    for I trust in Thee.
    Teach me the way in which I should walk,
    for to Thee I lift up my soul.
    ~Ps. 143:8

    I've got your back in prayer, cyber sister.

    With love,

    ~Patricia in Exeter

    ReplyDelete
  4. Jocelyn: Thank you--your prayers are much appreciative!
    Jen: Thank you for your words of encouragement-via fb and on here! Hugs right back!
    Patricia: WOW...I love love LOVE your word picture! did you come up with that or read it somewhere? If you came up with it, do you mind if I share it? I am always so touched by your kind words! thank you for sharing and for praying for me! <3

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Lindsay,
    Thank you for your kind words.
    The word picture is my own...the Lord gave it to me as I sought Him for one to help me articulate what I wanted to convey to you.
    And yes, you may, of course, use the word picture.
    Love,
    P~

    ReplyDelete