Wednesday, February 16, 2011

When I Don't Understand


Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. Proverbs 3:5 (New King James Version)


There are times when the questions of my heart go far beyond my ability to understand certain aspects of life. When there just doesn’t seem to be plausible answers for me to rest in. When the questions that start with “why” are not met with satisfying answers. It may be the circumstances of life, the actions of another, or any number of issues. Whatever the case may be, in the end it will come down to a matter of trust. Not trust in myself or trust in another individual, but trust in the Lord. To take whatever has been handed to me that produces more tears than joy or questions than answers and hand it over to Him for safe and proper keeping. To entrust Him with my life and my heart.

Sometimes I can have something happen and not give it much thought. But other times it seems that I enter a mental maze of questions and searching that take me on a journey that is futile and never ending. There just isn’t anything that makes sense. No logic, no answers, no understanding and hence no peace, no joy, no contentment. Life comes to a standstill until I begin once again to live out the truths of Proverbs 3:5.

God wants me to understand that I don’t have to have things or people all figured out. The heart and motives of others are not discernable to me just as the root system of a tree is not within my view. When it is all said and done I have to concede that I just don’t know and that is when God says, “It’s okay. Trust Me. Trust Me to take care of you, to protect you, to satisfy you, to meet your needs, to love you. When those who have been primary encouragers to you have stepped away, trust Me to introduce you to new encouragers. When direction is needed, trust Me to give it. You are not on your own, you are not abandoned, you are not helpless. You have Me and I have a hold of you. Trust Me.”

I need the reminders. Sometimes they come from other Christians and sometimes they make their way from God’s mouth to my ears. Sometimes they enter my mind while I am sleeping and the thought jolts me awake like a charge of electricity. However it happens, it is enough to turn my gaze back toward God and to nudge me forward on my journey once again. How gracious of Him to allow me to trade my misunderstanding for confidence in Him!

Father, You know my thoughts and my feelings. I confide to You all the unanswered questions and find assurance in Your invitation to trust You. Speak the “Peace be still” to the storms of my soul. I take refuge in You. Amen.

Do I Trust You, Lord? - Twila Paris
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSopilUouw8

Getting into God's Word and letting God's Word get into me one truth at a time.