What is it Going to Take?

What does it take for me to trust God? My mind has been contemplating the ongoing incremental decisions that are involved in trusting God everyday, every minute in life; the renewal and focus of our minds off of us, and on Christ; a purposeful acknowledgement that God has His loving hands on/in our lives. The apostle Paul, in Philippians 4 tells us to rejoice and not to worry(opposite of trust) (vs 6) resulting in a peace (vs 7). He then tells us what things to think on (vs 8): things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, things of good report, things with virtue and praise. It is surprising that the chapter goes on to highlight the up’s and down’s of Paul’s life (vs 11-12). When I am tempted to doubt, to worry and not trust, it is usually driven by circumstances that are uncomfortable to ME. I wonder if we listen a little closer to Paul’s admonitions about rejoicing always and learning contentment because of the things he suffered. He did not hide his afflictions and preach a “salvation makes this life perfect” gospel. Instead, he shared the sorrows and struggles and said “Guess what? These troubles do not mean you have to lose peace, you CAN be content in them, you CAN trust God” (Sonya’s paraphrase) After this list, he gives us the much quoted verse (13) “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”. We quote that verse and apply it to our lofty goals and endeavors, but do we apply it to our life when we are raging with “WHY” questions, doubt, and fear? I have a feeling that this verse is so much more about the strength to respond to God with trust, when circumstances are not looking too good, than it is a magic bottle to be rubbed when we feel like we might not win a prize at the race. God is bigger than our problems of mistrust and He shouldn’t be defined by them. When something bad happens, we blame God; when something good happens, we smile and think how happy God is with us. This thinking causes us to lose trust when He doesn’t fix our circumstances and causes us to take some credit for ourselves when things are good. It says more about the power of God when we are content and peaceful in a storm, than when we give great accolades for God on our sunny days, right? That is the power of God revealed to us. God is in the storm, in the blessings, in the questions…and thankfully, He is steadfast, loyal and loving even when we try to humanize Him to look a lot like us (which would not be beautiful at all). He’s calling us to trust Him as God. He’s trying to patiently “Fix” us, not necessarily all of our circumstances in this life; bringing us to a place of knowing Him deeper, which always results in loving and trusting Him more.