Trust is critical to the success of every relationship. When I was a young boy, I was fascinated with novels about sled dogs and wolves. I read stories about men that made their living mushing sled dog teams during the Klondike Gold Rush days, or stories about lone wolves trying to survive after being abandoned by their packs. In one of the many books I read, a lone wolf was so desperate for food that he followed a large, aggressive wolf pack for days living off their leftovers. It was risky business. He stayed far enough away to avoid attack but close enough to benefit from the combined strength of the wolf pack to kill big game. Eventually he earned their trust, they earned his, and the loner was accepted into their ranks.
It’s true. Trust is critical to the success of every relationship. If spouses do not trust each other, suspicion taints every conversation. If an employer cannot trust his employees, tensions simmer. When a church congregation does not trust its elders, division occurs.
Our Trust in God
The same is true of our relationship with God. If we do not trust God, we will always feel threatened, suspicious, tense or distant from the Lord. Biblically, God’s character is wholly trustworthy (Num. 23:19; Is. 6:3). Because of that he always fulfills his promises. He never lies or deceives us. So why is it that we sometimes fail to trust him? If he’s wholly trustworthy, why not trust him with our whole being?
Every reason for distrusting God is always traceable to a lack of faith in his revealed Word and the truth it communicates. His Word is what reveals the truth of his character, the truth of his promises, and the truth of his commands. Are any of the following signs of distrust present in you?
Signs of Distrust
Sign 1: Hyper-concerned with what other people think of us. Reason: We’ve not trusted God enough to accept his loving assessment of us as persons of infinite worth (Jn. 3:16).
Sign 2: Happiness comes from temporary things and experiences. Reason: We’ve not trusted God enough to believe that joy can be found in eternal pursuits (Ps.16:11).
Sign 3: Emotions are dependent upon circumstances. Reason: We’ve not loved God enough to find the perfect peace he offers when our minds are fixed on him (Is. 26:3).
Sign 4: Boredom with life. Reason: We’re distant from God instead of finding delight in the beauty of his holiness (Ps. 96:8-9).
Sign 5: Worrying about provision. Reason: We’re not fully convinced that the goodness of God guarantees abundant provision in his timing (2 Cor. 12:9; Phil. 4:19).
Sign 6: Anxiety. Reason: We’re trying to control, or trusting others to control, the events of life without casting our anxieties on the Lord (1 Pet. 5:7).
The Cure for Distrust
Do you see the common thread? Distrust occurs when God’s Word is questioned or neglected. The cure to distrust is to take God at his Word. We must humbly accept his Word and then approach him in prayer, worship, and service. Only then can his promises be made personal and his Person become our comfort.
Trust is a choice. The closer you draw near to God’s Word the closer you draw near to God because he will draw even nearer to you (Jam. 4:8)!
