Trust…

Trust. It is a five-letter word, but it means a whole lot. It means to believe in someone or something — to believe that they are good and incapable of harming or deceiving you.

Trust is a deep word that shouldn’t be used carelessly. Most times, we hear phrases like “Trust me” or “You need to trust me,” and sometimes we do. But past experiences can make us begin to doubt everything, and before you know it, we hate to hear the word “trust” again. At the mention of it, we get irritated and annoyed.

Let me introduce you to one person you can trust and who will never fail you — God.

I know you might begin to think, “But I’m going through times that feel like God isn’t there.” Let me walk you through my own experience.

I’ve gone through times when I doubted if God was there. I cried myself to sleep, and at some point, I wanted to do away with everything that connected me to God. I asked questions like, “God, are You still there?” It felt like He was nowhere to be found when I needed Him the most. I found myself saying, “God, are You just going to sit there and let this happen to me?” At some point, I even felt like telling God to come down so we could sit and discuss what was going on. I didn’t just feel it — I wanted it to happen. “God, come down and let’s trash this out.” But even in the middle of all that, I could still hear that still, small voice telling me to trust Him.How? I kept asking. It didn’t make sense.

But let me tell you what I’ve learned in the course of my life and walk with God: it won’t always be easy. It was never meant to be all rosy. If everything were easy, you wouldn’t discover the hidden, better version of yourself.

Someone once told me that pain helps reveal a secret, stronger version of yourself — a version you never knew existed or were too scared to unlock. The truth is, if you hadn’t experienced certain things, you wouldn’t have known how to better handle or manage other situations. One thing you should know is this: He said,“When you pass through deep waters, I will be with you… When you pass through fire, you will not be burned…” (Isaiah 43:2, GNT).That is an assurance that it won’t be easy, but one thing is constant — He will be with you. He is always there, even when you do not feel it.

To achieve purpose, you must experience both the highs and the lows. They shape you. They refine you. Gold does not become what it is unless it passes through fire. The heat shapes it into something valuable and beautiful. When you look at fine gold in a jewelry store, remember — it went through fire to become pleasing to the eyes.

Even Jesus did not find it easy. His own people did not recognize Him as the Son of God. He was born in a manger. He suffered, bled, and died for one purpose — that we might be reconciled with God. It wasn’t easy. But one thing kept Him going — purpose.It may have looked like God left Him, but God was still there.

Dear reader, it might be hard to hold on to trust in God during difficult times. You may be doubting whether He is still there. My message to you is this: hold on to that trust. It may look like He is not there, but He is always there.You might feel like you are losing faith, but one thing is sure — you can call out to Him to help you, to strengthen your faith. It might be that still, small voice asking you to keep moving, telling you there is light at the end of the tunnel. It may not make sense now, but it definitely will in the end. Keep trusting.God will never leave you. Remember His promise to never leave nor forsake you (Deut. 31:6; Heb. 13:5). Remember that His plans for you are for good and not evil, to give you a hope and a future (Jer. 29:11).He loves you — and He will never fail you.