“Today, I choose to trust God and find joy amidst my circumstances.”
I let it roll glibly off my tongue when life is going well. Of course it is easy to trust God when things are good and going according to my plan. But what happens when life’s trials get in the way and the circumstances around me feel very overwhelming and lead to discouragement—will I stay strong and say that I trust God no matter what the outcome, even in those moments? Everyday is a choice—will I allow God to take control and trust Him, or will I let my guard down and allow the evil one to fill my mind with false statements that seem true?
In trust there is an element of risk, but with faith the risk is removed. God is in control. God is not the author of evil, but He uses that which is evil to do good. If we are open and allow God to work, He will use the things that seem bad to us, for good. It is not so much about what crisis comes into our lives, but rather how we handle it—how we use it to allow God to work in us. What happens in my life needs to be less important than what God’s purpose for it is—it must be for his glory (Isaiah 55). We may not always understand the object of our trust, but our trust must be put in Christ and His promises, not in men or earthly matters. God is our example—always available, unmovable and steadfast.
We must put the circumstances of our life, whether good or bad into His hands. I don’t always know how to best handle them and sometimes there is nothing I can tangibly do except to pray, but God does. Let Him take control—trust Him. What a comfort it is to know that “if God be for us, who can be against us” (Romans 8:31).
There are still circumstances surrounding me that leave me with unanswered questions and uncertainties of what’s next, but I am realizing that I can’t only trust in the God who gives without also trusting in the God who takes away. The trials of life aren’t brewing by accident, but the question is how I am going to respond. I choose to trust God and allow Him to use these trials to make me stronger and draw me closer to Him.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess. 5:16-18
