If you are anything like me, you love a good, inspirational story of trust in God to fuel the fire of God’s love within you. These stories are full of conviction and purpose, leading you to desire or seek out the greater purpose that God has for your life. However, the worries and cares of your day to day life creep in and smother the conviction that you felt through those stories, and the fire eventually fades to mere embers until another inspirational story crosses your path.
Have you ever asked yourself why it takes an inspirational story to get that fire going?
It’s an outside source of proof of God’s love, that He is good and takes care of His children.
I’ll be the first one to admit that I love encouraging and inspirational stories that speak of the love of God and showcase His mercy. I also know that these stories are not meant to be the main fuel behind your purpose. Instead, they are like the kindling that you would use when starting a fire. It is the loving and trusting relationship between you and God that actually sustains you – the wood that keeps the fire burning brightly.
So how do you start to trust in God and know His love at all times? It starts by taking that first leap of faith…
- Make the intentional decision to surrender it all to Him
This is a turning point in your life – treat it as such. Open up a new journal, record the date, and write down all that is on your heart:
- Your hopes and dreams
- Your worries
- The questions in your life that are yet unanswered
- Decisions that need to be made
- Anything else that weighs heavily on your heart
Then say: “Jesus, you know how desperately I want these things to be answered. I give them to you. Jesus I trust in You.”
You can also choose to say a more formal prayer of surrender like this one if you choose.
Renew this decision daily.
- Thank God for each joy AND trial that comes your way each day.
Many times the trials that we face are outside of our control, yet we still worry and become discouraged by them. Instead of seeing the trials as something blocking your path, ask yourself: “What lesson does God need me to learn right now, so that I can continue to faithfully follow His plan for my life?”
Even if you cannot see the lesson quite yet or even understand why you find yourself undergoing the trial, believe that there is a greater purpose for what is happening. Have faith.
There is a little exercise that you can do to help with this:
In your journal, document the journey of surrender.
- If God answers a prayer, write it down.
- If another question that needs an answer arises, write it down.
- If you start to feel worried and anxious, write it down.
- If something happens unexpectedly, write it down.
- If you’re feeling extra happy, write it down.
- Are you starting to see where I’m going with this?
Then give it all back to Jesus, asking Him to give you the wisdom, understanding, and peace to continue to move forward.
The point is not to dwell on what you cannot control, but to be focused on how God is in control and to watch Him at work in your life.
- Feed your mind with the truths of scripture, so that you can learn to hear God’s voice when He speaks.
Just like any relationship, our relationship with God grows and blossoms when we spend time with Him – speaking AND listening. It’s true, you can spend time with Him in a variety of ways, but it is in scripture where we can learn what His voice sounds like. Our world is full of noise and opinions which makes it so easy to drown out the quiet voice of God.
It’s time to lean in and listen to what He’s saying:
- You are beautifully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14)
- For I know the plans I have for you (Jeremiah 29:11)
- Do not doubt God’s promise in unbelief, but be empowered by Faith and give glory to God (Romans 4:20)
- I command you: be strong and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord, your God, is with you wherever you go. (Joshua 1:9)
- Can any of you by worrying add a single moment to your lifespan? (Matt. 6:27)
- Fear is nothing but the failure to use the help that reason gives (Wisdom 17:12)
- We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose (8:28)
Leave a Reply