By Taiylor Romine
Trusting God with your life is easy. . . until any sign of an impending battle with sin, the world, or sorrow. Those of us who live in Christ know that we can trust God to fight these battles for us, we are not alone, and God is working all things out for the good of those who love Him. Still, this mental knowledge does not always equate to a heart at peace, and anxiety often seeps into our daily lives. It is so easy to let fear take over when the world begins spinning out of control. So how can we trust God?
What if we went into earthly battles knowing the God who created the earth is with us? What if we faced life’s challenges with the knowledge that no matter what happened on earth, the God who knows all and rules all is living in us? Would it change our mindset?
Paul wrote to the Romans: “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:24 – 28, ESV).
We yearn for something better because we know this is not our world. This is not our eternal home. This earth is temporary, as is our stress, our suffering, and our sorrow. Our hope is in our completed redemption on the day that Jesus returns.
We also know, according to Paul, that “for those who love God all things work together for good.” For me, these are some of the most encouraging words ever written. We may not see it; we can’t understand it, but we can trust through the trials God is working all things for good. We don’t have to panic about who will be elected or what the country will look like in 25 years because we know Who is in control.
We also know that we are not alone. The Holy Spirit is with us, fighting our battles for us, interceding for us, and testifying to us about the good that is coming. We can turn to the Spirit, whom God sent us, for wisdom, comfort, and counsel.
I have experienced a lot of fear in 2020, and at times, I have let it take over. It is an ongoing struggle. I have spent immense time in prayer asking God to take my fears and leave me with peace, and at times, it felt unanswered. But I have
learned that we have an amazing God, who truly hears us and loves us, and we can trust Him.
So how can we trust?
1) Pray for the ability to trust. The Spirit is at work within us. Pray for Him to help you have faith, to assure you of Christ’s promises, and to comfort you in times of need.
2) Dive into scripture. It contains God’s intervention in the lives of his people, His promises, to us today, and His comforting reminders to those who love Him. I have memorized this verse, and it has helped me to quote it when I cannot see the good at work: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” We may not see it now, but one day, we will see how it all came together for good.
3) When battles arise, run to Him. We should listen for the Spirit’s intercessions in our lives. We should run to God in prayer and confidence. It is easy to turn away, to pray a little less, to get frustrated, and not want to hear God. Dwelling in hopelessness is not the answer. Bad things happen, and we have to mourn. Stressful things happen, and we have to battle them. Unexpected things happen, and we have to live on. But we never have to do it alone.
4) Lastly, talk to others who love you, and who love Jesus. It is easy to talk to non-Christians about our problems, allowing their advice to take hold in our lives. If their answer is not grounded in Jesus Christ, then it is probably not the best answer. Seek out people who share your beliefs in times of turmoil.
The weight of the world can crush us, but Christ already carried it, and He conquered. WE cannot carry our fears, failures, and problems alone. Jesus never asked us too. We can be still and know that He is God.
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
The LORD of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah” (Psalm 46:10-11, ESV).