Emmaus Walk / Debra Tomaselli

To trust or not to trust God: Remember, the choice is yours

“I just don’t have religion the way you do,” Melinda said. Right over the phone, I frowned. What did she mean?

I know she was facing serious health issues. But I also knew that she’d been raised Catholic. She’s attended a Catholic church for decades. She participated in a parish Bible study for years.

And now she’s claiming she doesn’t have religion? Really, what did she mean?

“I just don’t trust God the way you do,” she said.

“Oh,” I said, fumbling for a response.

“I try, but it’s hard,” she added.

And then I understood.

Melinda’s right. It is hard to trust God.

But, trust me, it’s harder not to.

It’s hard to trust God. It means letting go of what you want. It means trading your will for his. It means letting things happen, not knowing the outcome. It means realizing we are not in control.

But if we don’t trust God, we want things our way. When circumstances spiral out of control, we worry. We’re anxious. We’re frustrated. We wrestle with the outcome. We’re distracted and detached. We bounce from one problem to the next.

When we choose to trust God, however, we are at peace. We do what we can, and confidently leave the outcome in his hands. Things don’t have to go our way. Trusting God is a choice. It’s recognition of where our responsibilities end and his begin. It provides a sense of assurance and security.

When we choose to trust God, we turn our will over to his—knowing that whatever happens, even if it is not what we want, will be for his greater glory.

When we choose to trust God, we are acknowledging this life isn’t what it’s all about. There’s so much more; we just can’t see it yet.

I’m OK with that.

Experience has revealed to me, time and time again, that once I give the problem, the fear, the frustration to God, he gifts me with peace.

I trade the worry, the anxiety and annoyance for tranquility, calmness and an ability to be present to others. If I’m not preoccupied in my own problems, I’m available to lend a listening ear. I can make a meal. Or share a story.

God shows me the way.

So we have a choice.

Melinda is right. It’s hard to trust God. Surely it is. You have to surrender a lot. In hindsight, however, it’s always best. (That’s one of the perks to growing older. You can look back and see how God’s response was better than your wants.)

But surely, the road is harder when you choose not to trust God.

Do you want to go through life miserable? Anxious? Worried? Never being able to recognize God’s splendid works because you’re too focused on your own wants and plans?

The choice is yours.
 

(Debra Tomaselli writes from Altamonte Springs, Florida. She can be reached at dtomaselli@cfl.rr.com.) †