“These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

TRUST

One lesson I’m continuously learning is to trust. Trust God in ALL things. Trust Him when life is beautifully going along, and trust Him when life seems to be falling apart. In all circumstances, I’m called to trust. And, in all circumstances, you are called to trust…. We all, as believers, are called to trust.

What does that look like?

When tragedy hits and we can’t make sense of what has happened, we’re told, “TRUST.”

When life takes a turn and we lose a job through no fault of our own, we’re told, “TRUST.”

When someone we love dies who has not been given long years in this life, we’re told, “TRUST.”

When treated unfairly or overlooked, we’re told, “TRUST.”

When personally going through or watching others struggle with health issues, we’re told, “TRUST.”

When deliberately hurt and feel betrayed, we’re told, “TRUST.”

This has been a rough month for our family. Some unexpected storms have come. But, through everything we’ve experienced. I hear God continually, lovingly saying, “TRUST.”

TRUST… that I know best.
TRUST… that I have a plan and purpose in the pain.
TRUST… that I see your tears.
TRUST…that I hear your cries.
TRUST… that I am beside you.
TRUST… that I have you in the palm of my hand.
TRUST…that I will provide for your every need.
TRUST…that I love you unconditionally.
TRUST…that I will work all things together for your good.

Through every trial, through every tear, I’m called and you’re called to trust. This life we live is not always easy. This life does not always seem fair. We may look around and feel perplexed when we see some people soaring through life with barely a scratch and others trudging through with battle scars.

We may question why many seem to have an easy road compared to others who trek uphill through rugged terrain.

Matthew 5:45 says, “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”

This verse reminds us that no one is immune to trials and hardships… no one.

Part of trusting is knowing that we can’t see the whole picture, but God does. He is the author of our lives. Like a puzzle, He holds the pieces and is creating the picture. We may not be allowed to see the missing pieces of the puzzle, the holes left to be filled, but God sees clearly, and every piece is in His care; not one is lost.

He promises he’s working for our good. If we love Him, we will trust Him no matter what storms come or how hard the path is that we must walk. It may be difficult, but it’s not impossible because Matthew 19:26 says, “but with God all things are possible.”

That’s just it… that’s the key… “with God.” We can never, nor will we ever, have peace in this life when the storms come… a peace which passes all of our own understanding, except by holding to the truth that God is trustworthy and we can lean on Him and trust Him when we don’t understand.

When going through a difficult time, my mind is bombarded by “Why’s.” I often think that one day, when we all get to heaven, God will allow us to see the picture clearly. All the “why’s” we’ve experienced in life will change to “Wow…. God was always at work.” We will understand and see how every struggle, every hurt and disappointment, fit into the bigger picture. It’s impossible to have all the answers here and now, but we can have some peace in knowing that God has all the answers, and we can have peace amidst the “Why’s” in our lives. We can experience peace in the pain because God is trustworthy.

In this life, on this imperfect earth, all we can do is trust. Trust in the only One who has all the answers and sees fully the entire picture… past, present and future.

If we’re trusting, we’re obeying. If we’re trusting, we’re leaning on Him and not ourselves. If we’re trusting, we understand that it’s not our job to try and make sense of it all because we won’t always be able to. If we’re trusting, we can bring ourselves to keep praising because we know God is with us, and He alone is trustworthy.

While preparing this article, I decided to look up trust in Webster’s Dictionary. I wanted to share the various descriptions and definitions attached to the word. I found them interesting.

Trust (noun):
: assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something
: one in which confidence is placed
: dependence on something future or contingent: HOPE
: CARE, CUSTODY
: a charge or duty imposed in faith or confidence or as a condition of some relationship
: something committed or entrusted to one to be used or cared for in the interest of another

Trust (verb):
: to rely on the truthfulness or accuracy of: BELIEVE
: to place confidence in: rely on
: to hope or expect confidently
: to commit or place in one’s care or keeping: ENTRUST
: to permit to stay or go or to do something without fear or misgiving
: to place confidence: DEPEND
: to be confident: HOPE
WOW!

There are so many comforting verses in the Bible that talk about trust… so many verses about God’s presence and His promises. All given to encourage, strengthen, provide comfort and give hope.

Proverbs 3:5-6 states, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”

This verse has brought comfort during difficult times in my life.

When I lost my uncle, who I was very close to, this verse reminded me to trust.

When job losses and changes have come, this verse reminded me to trust.

When I saw others excelling in life, and I felt like my life was standing still, this verse reminded me to trust.

When I was perplexed by a trial or storm, this verse reminded me to trust.

Trust me; there will be times when you may look around and begin to compare your battle scars… don’t. Comparison steals joy. Comparison causes envy. Comparison cripples progress. Comparison chips at our ability to trust completely. It’s hard not to go there (at times very hard), but you have to focus on Christ and put your trust completely in His capable hands.

You are journeying with Him, and everyone’s journey and trials look different and are different.

And yes, there will be people in life who will never experience the trials you are going through. They will never be able to understand or relate. They may even judge what they don’t know. I think of Job and what he went through… how the people in his circle responded to his trials.

But God knows. There is a reason… there is a purpose.

Everyone is hurting in some way.

Every time you trust, your faith grows.

Every time you trust, your character grows.

Every time you trust, your testimony shines brighter.

Life comes with changes, challenges and trials, and no one escapes them. We all struggle. We all have hardships. Some may seem to go through more than others, but not one person in history past, present or future has been immune. We all have been affected.

This world is not perfect, and we’ve been told we will have trials and tribulations along with joys and mountaintop moments.

As believers, we will go through things; it’s part of life. But as believers, we have the assurance that we will not go through them alone. We are promised our Lord, the maker of heaven and earth, will be right beside us, hearing our every cry, seeing our every tear, knowing our every struggle. And with every trial, there is an opportunity… a choice to be made: Will we choose to trust Him, and will we trust Him completely?

It should bring peace to know He is the only constant that never changes.

He is trustworthy in all things understood and all things not understood.

Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Psalm 34:18 reminds us, “The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

Psalm 145:14 “The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.”

Matthew 5:4 “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

Psalm 56:8 says, “Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?”

Luke 12:6-7 “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God? But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

Matthew 11:28-30 “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

God wants us to take every tear, every trial, to Him. He wants us to lean on Him and not our own understanding. He wants us to understand that although we will endure trials, He will never leave us or forsake us.

He wants us to have complete confidence in knowing that although we live in an imperfect world, He is perfect. His ways are perfect. His plans are perfect. He is King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Creator of all. He knows all; He sees all.

There will be many things this side of heaven we will never understand. Perhaps in heaven, God will allow us to see the whole picture… every piece of the puzzle perfectly in place. But for now, we may never understand God’s plan in the trial or suffering we are going through, but we can understand that He is good and perfect in all His ways.

As His children, we can rely on the truths which He has given us.

Truths like, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-9).

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him” (James 1:12).

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

God promises that one day (maybe soon, the way signs are quickly converging in the world), He will call us all home. In the twinkling of an eye, we will forever be changed and forever, for all eternity, be with our Heavenly Father.

It’s amazing to know that we haven’t even really begun life… we have all eternity ahead of us! Our time here is just a speck compared to all eternity.

Until that wonderful day arrives, we are called to keep on keeping on, fully putting our trust and faith in God. And we’re reminded that not only are we to trust, but we’re to give thanks in season and out of season. Psalm 34:1-3 says, “I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.” Not always easy to do, but easier to do if we are putting our trust in our heavenly Father.

No matter what struggles you may be going through, know with 100% certainty that the Lord is right there with you, and He promises to never leave you. There is a purpose in the pain.

Keep persevering, keep leaning into Him, keep trusting, keep praising, keep shining bright.

One day, this sinful world with all its struggles, problems and injustices will all be behind… a thing of the past. As believers, we need to remember our hope is not in the things of this world or anyone in this world. Our hope is in firmly resting and trusting in our Lord and Savior. And one day, we who have put our trust in Christ will be called up to forever be with the Lord.

No matter what your struggle, look up because you have hope. In Christ, you always have hope.

Revelation 21:3-4 “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

spate.holly@gmail.com

For many, the very thought of a new year evokes feelings of joy. It provides a boost to the heart, bringing a sense of fresh hope and a new perspective. For some, it provides a springboard… a chance to start over, to be better. It’s an opportunity to seek new adventures and improve oneself. A new year equals a new beginning… a beginning filled with possibility and surprises.

For others, a new year causes feelings of fear, anxiety and uneasiness. It’s not embraced with open arms but stepped into cautiously and reluctantly. The unknown is not a welcome invitation to many, and stepping into a new year can bring feelings of unwelcome stress.

No matter which feeling you may have as you step into 2023 (overly optimistic or cautiously anxious), there is a common truth for all that have chosen to put their hope and faith in Christ. This common truth brings peace, as it is good news! It is a reminder that there is no need to fear.

The good news for you as a believer in Christ is this…

A new year with Christ means another year with all He provides: hope, peace, love, joy, encouragement, direction, provision, forgiveness, new mercies.

A new year with Christ means another year of confidently knowing your heavenly Father has a plan and purpose for your days and your life.

A new year with Christ means you can trust, rely and lean on the very One who is the creator and author of your life.

A new year with Christ means more time to share His love, light and truth of salvation with others.

A new year with Christ means you can have full assurance that He is in full control and you need not fear.

A new year with Christ means you can be confident that your future is secure and your eternity bright.

A new year with Christ means you can always trust an unknown time to a known God.

As a child of God, you are not walking into 2023 alone…. He is with you, just like always. He’s walking beside you… guiding your steps, speaking to your heart, and keeping you safely in His care. He knows the future and has a plan for your life. Therefore, you have no need to be anxious.

Never forget… the very One who walks beside you today, who has walked beside you in the past, promises to take every step beside you. The King of Kings will never leave your side. As you walk into 2023, He is beside you… the Savior of the world is beside you. You may not know what the new year may bring, but you can have joy in knowing that you will be journeying with Jesus!

All believers can head into the new year with confidence and peace, resting in the knowledge that our Savior is good and He never changes… ever.

Hebrews 13:8 reminds of this truth, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.”

Lamentations 3:21-25 states, “This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.”

As we begin a new year, I’m reminded of 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which states, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Because God’s Word is encouraging, powerful, and serves as a blueprint for how to live life, I felt led to leave you with some beautiful scriptures as you venture into another year.

I pray you will print these verses and keep them in a visible place as a daily reminder of encouragement as you remember Who is in control and Whose child you are!

Praying your 2023 draws you closer to Christ as you hold to His truths and keep His Word hidden in your heart.

His promises are true. His love is unconditional. His plans are perfect. He cares for you… you are His!

Keep looking up, planting, praying, praising, thanking, forgiving, hoping, loving, sharing, encouraging and trusting.

May God bless each of you. Happy New Year to All!

spate.holly@gmail.com

*Encouragement for 2023*

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8).

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (1 John 4:18).

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

“The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

“I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety” (Psalm 4:8).

“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them” (Psalm 119:165).

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10).

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” (Isaiah 41:10).

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee” (Psalm 56:3).

“I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4).

“For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee” (Isaiah 41:13).

“Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest” (Joshua 1:9).

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).

“The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?” (Psalm 118:6).

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

“Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).

“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you” (1 Peter 5:7).

“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe” (Proverbs 29:25).

“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15).

“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:29-31).

“A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion” (Psalm 112:5).

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Romans 15:13).

“Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth” (Mark 9:23).

“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” Hebrews 12:11).

“And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be my people” (Leviticus 26:12).

“But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled” (1 Peter 3:14).

“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17).

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:44).

“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11).

“If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:12-13).

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also” (John 14:1-3).

“The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace” (Numbers 6:24-26).