The advent of TRUST...

Here's something I'd love to start, or should I say, restart...again, for the 100th time. TRUST. This is a tough one for me personally. If you're anything like me, you like to be in control and have strong opinions on just about everything. When things don't go the way I think they should go, I can pretty quickly lose heart, throw in the towel and cash in my chips. Sometimes, I want to walk away, not because I really feel led to walk, but because I'm pouting. I pout because I've convinced myself that I know better, I don't like what's happening or sometimes because it wasn't my idea. 

I was feeling particularly UNTRUSTING today when the thought occurred to me, "I wonder what God's Word has to say about this?" Admittedly, I spent far too much time pouting before this thought occurred to me (still a work in progress - see earlier post). What's interesting about me having this thought is that this is exactly what I spend my time encouraging other people to do. I literally share this exact advice and yet it took me hours to come to the same conclusion for my own life. 

As I spent some time reading various verses on this topic I came across an oft quoted memory verse from my childhood. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, "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." As my eyes scanned the screen on BibleGateway I tried to ignore the simplicity of this verse, searching for something more "adult" or "mature". As I scrolled back to the top of the screen it clicked with me. TRUST is supposed to be simple. It's easy but not simple. God says, "Trust me with everything you have inside, submit everything you have to me and I will take care of you."

Most of this day, I have found myself on the verge of tears. Never crying but always close. I think I'm dealing with a mix of frustration, grief, and confusion. I long to have my path made straight. I long to lean back into the arms of God and know that I am provided for. 

As I pray for myself, I pray for you too. If you need to TRUST, I pray that you find it in the person of Jesus Christ. As we begin the Advent season, let's shoot for the advent of TRUST in our lives. Trust that God is in control and that all you need to worry about is being faithful to do your part. Be encouraged and keep moving forward. #advent² 

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