Trust

To trust someone, of course, depends on our relationship to this person, on how we assess him or her to be able to take care of a task (or, for instance, our kids). We wouldn´t give our toddlers, say, into the hands of a 8-year-old – especially if he is a boy. But even with capable adults: to trust someone may sometimes be necessary but it´s not easy.

Trust means being able to let go of control – and hand it over to someone else. Do we really trust them, no strings attached, or do we rather expect them to act as it pleases us? I guess often we know exactly what the outcome should look like. When I, for instance, trusted someone with my under-12-year-old kids, I expected this person to bring them back safely (and in one piece) and not stuffed with sugar or traumatised after a horror movie night. I had clear ideas.

With our trust in God it should be different, of course. God is trustworthy – no matter what. He is also good and knows our best and wants it to happen; he doesn´t need our instructions. Annoyingly, we also think we know what´s best for us. And so our trust (and faith) gets tested every time something happens that we don´t value as good: we don´t get healed, we lose our jobs, or our relationship falters. To keep trusting God anyway and then to experience his presence, help and peace in challenging situations is the best thing that can happen to us.

The circle of trust

Jesus says: „Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.“
Lukas 18, 16+17

As children we tend to take things for granted. Normally we are cared for by parents and other relatives – from food to clothes to decisions which are made for us and in our interest. Children therefore trust that everything they need will be provided by someone else.

Growing up is like walking a path paved with experiences like:
I have to work for my achievements.
Nothing comes for free, everything has its price.
If I don`t take care of myself no one else will.
It`s a good idea to trust in myself alone.

Real life teaches us that anything can disappear quiet sudden and unsuspected: friends, relationships, health, prosperity, peace, strength, contentment and even material things. When they are gone we tend to register for the first time that trusting in them was not such a good idea.

Maturing is like walking a path paved with experiences like:
Money can`t buy things like health, friends, inner peace …
Situations which are not in my control still can turn out well.
Managing without certain things can be a challenge which ends with something better than if I hadn`t missed anything in the first place.
It`s great that I don`t have to trust in myself alone.

„But now, this is what the Lord says – he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: `Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.´“
Isaiah 43, 1+2

For me it`s more than a good idea to trust in God as my ultimate provider, helper, comforter. There is no one and nothing else which is as steadfast and unchanging as the Lord.