Learning To Trust

How do you learn to trust that they will be okay? The only good answer is that “You just have to.” The opposite is a splitting headache.

There are troubles all around us. Trusting God is not always at the top of our list of priorities. Instead, we are trying to avoid struggles. Living in this world is full of struggle, but also joy, if you look for it.

Sometimes, we miss it, because we are looking the other way.”

Riding a Bike

I remember teaching our oldest to ride a bike. Yes, there was joy when she finally got it, but a lot of struggle in getting to that point. We suited her up with all the possible safety equipment: wrist guards, helmet, and knee pads. I removed the training wheels and then ran behind her, endlessly, holding on to the seat of her bike. She was ready to keep going, but lacked the confidence. “Dad, don’t let go.” So, I didn’t.

Her mother and I prayed for her to master bike-riding, a huge deal in a young girl’s life. I’d like to say that immediately after praying, she pushed off and rode successfully down the sidewalk, but we struggled on, with me sprinting up and down the sidewalk, balancing and encouraging her from driveway to driveway.

“God, does it get much harder than this?” Of course, it does.

Challenges and Heartbreak

How do you learn to trust that they will be okay? This is a question that I have asked Lizzy many times. We trust, because the more you trust, the easier it gets. I didn’t say easy, just easier. I’ve learned that the challenges only get larger and the opportunities for heartbreak only become greater. Going away to school, boyfriend or girlfriend breakups, loss of a job, illness, none of these struggles are easy. However, we must trust. There isn’t a good alternate plan. Pray and trust God; he is trustworthy.

Life isn’t like a Hallmark movie. We are not assured of “happily ever after” in this life. Things are not certain to work out in the end. When my heart feels torn and I want nothing more than to hold on tight, Lord, help me to trust that you are in control.

Trust Is Better

No doubt God is good, but, sometimes, we miss it, because we are looking the other way. We are looking at other people. We are envying those at the top who seem to have it made. Even the wicked seem to have nothing to worry about, not a care in the world.

How do we learn to trust? We retreat to the sanctuary of the Lord. Oh, how refreshing it is to make the Lord your refuge. In his presence there is fullness of joy. Stability returns. The Lord is here and I am blessed. I have new perspective for the days ahead.

“Still, when I tried to figure it out, all I got was a splitting headache . . . Until I entered the sanctuary of God. Then, I saw the whole picture…”

Psalm 73:16-17, MSG

Copyright © 2023 Chuck Locklear

Also, see Don’t Fast-forward Through Life.