Trust & Believe

Has there been a time in your life when you thought you had it all figured out, but you didn’t? I asked a similar question in my book, Mama Knows Best, quote #7, "Keep Living," but this time, I want to explore a specific area. There were times in my past when I thought I had my life all figured out. As a young girl, I discovered my passion caring for children and decided that I wanted to be a pediatrician when I grew up. During my teenage years, I had planned to be married and start a family during my twenties. Later, I learned that you can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail, Proverbs 19:21 (NLT). Fast forward to the present, I did not pursue medical school to become a pediatrician, nor am I married with my own family. I am far from my twenties now and often reflect on my life and the Lord’s purpose for it.

A Plan Crumbled

In October 2013, I recall sitting on the floor against my bed in the middle of the night at my Condo in Illinois, unable to sleep and in a melancholy state due to an official break-up from a long-term relationship. I was emotionally distraught, confused about how things ended, and was at a loss. The plans I had once envisioned with the person I had spent years with had now become an illusion. Has there been a time in your life when your plans crumbled? How did it make you feel?

As I sat on the floor with tears rushing down my face like heavy raindrops during a stormy day, I cried out to God, asking Him, "What am I supposed to do now?" Suddenly, I heard, "trust and believe", three times. All I could say was "ok, I tried things my way, I will trust and believe You and try Your way…show me how." Afterwards, I fell asleep and didn’t know what to expect in the days to come.

Skeptical but Reassured

A month had passed, and a dreary cloud of doubt had found its way into my heart and mind, trying to overshadow the one thing I wanted to trust and believe in, the voice of the Spirit of Counsel. Ambiguous questions trampled the sure belief I was holding on to, but there was nothing that stood out to confirm what I thought I’d heard. Then, in that puzzling moment, I received these exciting words: ‘I have something wonderful for you, just wait and see.’ Still undecided if my mind was playing tricks on me, I responded blankly with "ok, if You say so.”  Have you ever been unsure about the still small voice you hear? 

In January 2014, my co-worker shared that our employer was planning to open a new site in Phoenix, AZ, and encouraged me to apply. After discussing it, I sent in my application. I didn’t think I would be selected, but to my surprise, I was chosen to fly out to the new location for one week in March. Later in April, I was offered the opportunity that would impact my life in an unexpected yet remarkable way.

Once I accepted, it seemed like the fast-forward button on a remote control had been pressed, and my relocation was moving at full speed. Human Resources asked if I could move in a couple of weeks, and I told them I would need at least 30 days to get my things in order before leaving. I had to communicate my departure to family and friends and figure out what to do about my condo. So many decisions awaited me with very little time.

Faith to Trust and Believe

When I took a moment to pause and let it all sink in, I had to remember to trust and believe. But what does that mean exactly?

• Trust – firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.

• Believe – to accept something as true, genuine, or real.

I have learned since then that trusting and believing go hand in hand with the Master Planner. You cannot have one without the other. They are vital building blocks to faith.

A friend in Arizona recently said to me, "All I do is take the action and let God do the rest." This was a reminder of how everything with my relocation fell into place with little to no effort on my part. All I said was ‘yes’ and God did the rest. My employer covered the cost of my relocation from Chicago to Phoenix. My cousin leased my condo. My family and friends were very supportive. My living arrangements in Arizona had been established. Everything was divinely orchestrated.

In my practice of trusting and believing, I can confidently stand firm on Jeremiah 29:11-13 and Psalm 32:8. Realizing the break-up I was so devastated over just six months prior was part of God’s purpose for my life, leading me to this place. Whenever I encounter a new situation that initially prompts doubt or fear, I shut it down by reflecting on the words from those verses. They help me exercise faith over fear and put my heart and mind at ease. Besides, why wouldn’t I trust and believe the faithfulness of the One who created me?

Is there a current situation in which you need to trust and believe God? Be encouraged, He will come through in a way more incredible than you could have asked or imagined.

Please comment below or email me to share your thoughts.

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Google. (n.d.). Google search. https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&channel=entpr&q=trust

Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Believe definition & meaning. Merriam-Webster. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/believe