There are
times of trial which befall believer and unbeliever alike during the course of
a lifetime. These hard times may come by
way of loss or through the poor choices which one makes.. Perhaps the most difficult trial to endure is
losing a close relationship through death or estrangement. When you are in the midst of these times of
doubt, times of hurting, where do you turn?
In which direction do you turn your eyes: upward, inward or straight
ahead?
We live in
a society which constantly teaches us to trust only in ourselves. When hardships come, we are taught to draw
upon the resources around us, our relationships, family and friends. We often try to offset the bad parts of our
lives with what the world teaches us is good: money, power and position. Yet, all of this leads to emptiness, for the
resources of the world are finite. All
the money in the world cannot stop the heart from crying out in pain and
anguish when we are hurt, in times of doubt and despair. The best relationships, while they offer
support and often are the means by which God ministers to us, cannot quite calm
the storms of fear which lay buried deep within the hearts of all humankind.
Trusting in
the resources of the world, or looking straight ahead, during times of trial
results in only an illusion of peace, a false sense of security. For all of the things of this earth will one
day pass away. Perhaps realizing this,
many people turn inward and live in a state of fear and self-pity. This looking inward often results in an endless
cycle of fear and doubt. Many spend
their days on this treadmill of fear.
How should
we as believers be different in the way in which we combat this fear? How should we react when times of trouble
assail us? In Psalm 121, David tells us
to look up to Him who made the heavens and earth. David shows us that our help is to come from
the Lord. This is what makes us
different from the world, for the one who created us also wishes for us to
trust in Him and to seek Him as a source of strength.
This Psalm
further illustrates the completeness of His protection on the believer's
life. He watches over us both night and
day, keeping us from all harm. Not only
does He watch over you now, but will watch over you forevermore. Why then, do we live in our tiny worlds of
fear? If He will watch over our entire
lives, nothing which can happen to us is out of His control.
There is
great power in this promise. Yet, there
is action involved on our part.: trust.
It is a simple word, yet so difficult.
How do you free your life from fear?
How do you live a life which does not need to focus upon the passing to
offset the insecurity and fear which rampantly race through the hearts of
mankind? Trust in God. Believe fully in your heart that this same
God who created this earth, who created you, will care for you and provide for
your every need. Claim the promises of
Christ.
Throughout
the Bible, there are so many promises to those who trust. Psalm 125:1 says "Those who trust in the
Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures
forever." By trusting fully in the
Lord, we can be a people who are not perplexed and ruled by the trials of
life, but rather stand on a firm
foundation. We can persevere regardless
of the difficulty, knowing full well that we are under God's sovereign
care. We can enjoy peace in this
lifetime, knowing that our gentle Shepherd indeed will lead us safely through
this life.
Oh,
believer, that you may indeed trust in Him through each and every day of your
life. For truly, in trusting you will
find peace and rest for your soul.
