Sometimes Trust Hurts...

But it's a good kind of hurt.

Have you ever felt the burn during an intense workout, or the pain of a deep tissue massage? How about something like that green smoothie that you just haven't learned to love the taste of yet? In their own special way, each of those can hurt a bit while going through the process. However, every time we experience those things, it can hurt a little less. If we do it right, each time we participate in a healthy activity, we grow and develop through the experience. Pretty soon, that same workout will be a breeze. Those knotted up muscles will relax easier, and that green smoothie will be as tasty as pie (or whatever dessert you enjoy).

Sometimes trust can be the same way.

Think about a trust fall.

The very idea of letting yourself fall backwards in hopes that the person standing behind you will be kind enough, strong enough and fast enough to catch you might be a little intimidating. It could make your heart beat faster and your stomach tense up just thinking about it. . . which, needless to say, would hurt. However, when your partner catches you, confidence is gained and you are able to relax and your tummy doesn't do the flippity-flips or knottity-knots it did before. It becomes easier and more natural to have so much confidence in your partner that you believe and know that he would catch you (or at least break your fall) should you need him to do so.

How about a more extreme circumstance? A burning building, let's say. (If such a situation is too sensitive a subject for you, skip down to the *.) Imagine being stuck in a third story room of a burning building with two escape options. The first one is through the door. The second: out the window. You touch the door handle; it's cool, but as you go to open it, a voice from the window calls out to you. You turn and see a firefighter motioning for you to come to the window. However, being deathly afraid of heights and believing there to be no immediate danger outside the door, you hesitate to trust that the window escape is the best option. You consider going through the burning building instead of facing the fear of climbing down the ladder with the rescue worker who promises your safety every step of the way. As the smoke begins to seep into the room, you stand fast in debate. Coughing, you hesitate. The firefighter climbs into the building, meeting you where you are, but still you scorch your fingers on the door handle, testing it once more.

Would it take flames licking at your heels to get you moving in the right direction? Would you continue to act on fear, or would you trust the person who is trying to save your life (and just happens to know what he's doing)? You might have to sob like a baby all the way down that ladder. You might even get sick. BUT. . . you will survive. And as you watch the building collapsing from a safe distance, you will realize that the pain of facing your fear and trusting the rescue worker was so, so worth it. And . . . you know that if ever you should find yourself in a burning building again, you will be on that ladder before anyone has to speak a word to you.

* Learning to trust can be a difficult and daunting task, especially when being told or asked to take a route or accomplish something that we feel underequipped to handle, that makes us afraid, that may cause us to miss out on something we'd rather be doing. The list of excuses threatens to be endless unless we make the decision to toss it into the trash (or recycle it), set aside our fears and petty dislikes, and move towards trusting that a little discomfort and even a little pain will be good for us in the long run. It may even save our lives.

God tells us that his plans are to prosper us, not to harm us, and to give us hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Over and over again, God calls us to trust him with every aspect of our lives, some of which might hurt far more than others. Finances anyone? Are you being called to give more to church or charity? It might take sacrificing that boat money or beach vacation to do so. How about relationships? Are you feeling moved to mend a broken friendship? Or maybe it is on your conscious to end an unhealthy relationship and move on. Both of those can seem impossible to face.

But the whispers of the One who created you, the One who knows you, the One who loves you need to be trusted completely, especially when it is the most difficult.

And it is in those difficult times, when we don't have the strength to take the first step, God will meet us where we are. We don't have to face those situations or decisions alone.

Proverbs 3:5-6 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Start small and build up that trust muscle so when bigger stuff comes your way, you are better equipped to handle it. Pay attention to the nudge to pay for the meal of the person behind you in line, or take a plate of cookies to the widower down the street. When you feel moved to help fund a student's trip to a summer youth camp, trust God's calling on your heart. (Practice, practice, and practice some more!) Those little acts of faith and obedience will make that bigger commitment to trust God completely much easier.

Think about other areas of your life where you might be struggling. (School, relationships, work...) What is preventing you from trusting God more fully?

Remember:

We can trust in his unfailing love for us. (Psalm 13:5)

The Lord has never forsaken those who seek him. (Psalm 9:10)

Pray: Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me unfailing. Lord, I trust that you want and know what is best for my life. Help my desires be in line with your will for my life. Remove my fear and strengthen my trust in you, and grant me wisdom and discernment to better act on what you are calling me to do. Father, please give me the boldness to lovingly encourage others to do the same, so that we can be a witness to those around us that they might come to know the power of your love for them. Thank you for the example of what fully trusting you really means through your son, Jesus Christ. Thank you for the love and mercy you showed by sending him to overcome the grave so that we can have a personal relationship with you. It is in his name I pray. Amen.