I often find it extremely difficult to trust God.
There are times I am better at trusting than others. It’s usually when I am forced to trust because I have no other choice. Like being pregnant with triplets, the outcome was not entirely in my control.
After Charlie Kirk’s murder, it is even more difficult for me to trust. God could have prevented it, but He didn’t. The only explanation is there must be a higher purpose that we do not know. To take a father of two small children. Someone who spoke truth and could have done so much good for many more years to come.
God’s ways are higher than our ways and we just have to trust that He knows what He is doing because He can see the future and we cannot.
I’m sure Charlie’s wife prayed fervently for her family. Yet, sometimes our prayers don’t get answered the way we would like or hope.
If those of us who pray and follow God are still victims of horrendous tragedies, then does that mean our prayers are useless?
That is why I find it difficult to trust God. Yes, I know nothing is impossible for God and that He hears and answers our prayers according to HIS will, not always ours.
In the “Our Father” prayer we say “thy will be done”. But do we really mean it? It’s really a rough prayer, but that is how Jesus taught us to pray. It’s not my favorite. It’s challenging.
Yet I also know that even though I hope and pray for safety and protection, health, positive outcomes to problems–things may not turn out as I wish. I sometimes wonder if our prayers could be in vain?
So how do we trust in a good God when bad things can and do happen to good, faithful people?
There is nothing new under the sun. There have been many martyrs over the centuries such as John the Baptist, Joan of Arc, even Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Socrates.
Stephen was the first Christian martyr who was stoned to death for his faith.
We don’t often think about how Christians are still persecuted today and that there are many modern day martyrs like Charlie Kirk.
The media certainly doesn’t talk about it. We like to think humans have become more evolved and civilized since ancient times, but it’s not true. The heart of man is the same throughout the ages. There is always good and evil.
Christians are actually the most persecuted group, yet Jesus paid the ultimate price for speaking the truth, just like the martyrs of old and in the present day.
So I must trust that no matter what, God knows better and will get me through, but that is sometimes hard for me to accept.
Some may say it’s because of human pride, we want to be in control and want to play God. And yes, I would like to be in control and be able to see the future. I find it very stressful to know that I am not in control.
Imagine what peace I would have if I could surrender and always trust like a little child!! So that is my goal. To rest in the arms of Jesus and trust NO MATTER WHAT.
Jesus is still Lord.
God is still good.
God is still faithful.
God is still in charge. Even in the midst of tragedy.
Lord help us trust and surrender to you when all hope seems lost! Amen.
Here are 10 scriptures to turn to in these difficult and crazy times:
- Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him
- Job 1:21 The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away, may the name of the Lord be praised.
- Genesis 50:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
- Proverbs 16:4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
- Proverbs 11:21 Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished, but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.
- Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
- John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
- Romans 8:28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
- 1 Peter 3:14 But even if you suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled. (English Standard Version)
- 2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
