"a : assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something b : one in which confidence is placed."
Based on my research, it appears the word trust is used in the bible (Revised Standard Version) 147 times with 44 of those times being in the psalms. In the King James version, it appears 181 times.
But I wanted to look also at the Greek words and see how many times they were used. I found several Greek words that are translated as trust in our English bible:
Elpizo- means to expect or confide; to hope
Peitho- to convince (it appears to be primarily related to obedience)
Pisteuo- to have faith
Pepoithesis- confidence
Of these, pisteuo alone is mentioned 248 times. Peitho is mentioned 52 times. Elpizo is mentioned 31 times. And pepoithesis is 6 times.
Now I am not a biblical scholar by any means. But the point I am trying to make is that God is constantly telling us to trust throughout His word, no matter which translation you read. I usually read the NIV (New International Version).
I particularly like Psalm 9:10 in my NIV:
"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."
It's easy to trust God when things are going well. It's easy to go to church and talk the talk. But when things fall apart, it's pretty darn hard to walk the walk. We often find ourselves scrambling around trying to control things ourselves instead of trusting God that He's got it.
A woman I recently met has a daughter who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the spring. Not many things turn your world upside down like seeing your child suffer- whether they are sick, being bullied, etc. "Mama Bear" comes out when are children are under attack. I mean, don't mess with our babies!
I called this woman to offer some encouragement. My daughter's diagnosis of diabetes was most definitely the worst time of my life. I didn't sleep for about two weeks nor did I eat more than I needed to merely survive. I cried and I cried. I couldn't believe there wasn't something that could be done to stop the progression of this disease since we had caught it so early.
I couldn't believe the diagnosis was really true. Her pancreas was still working some then. How could this be?
About two weeks in, I realized I had to let go. I had no control over this. I had to let God have her. Afterall, she is His child too. I am really only her guardian while she is here on earth.
I am telling you, the MOMENT I surrendered her to Him...the MOMENT I trusted Him, I felt peace.
I still have to regularly do this. A lot of moms wake up each and every night to check the blood sugar and make sure their child is not going low. It takes a lot of trust to sleep through the night.
About a week after I first called her, this woman and her daughter came over for a little playdate. Sitting on my back porch, she says to me something like this: "if my daughter didn't have a purpose here, she wouldn't be here. God predestined her life. He already knows the number of her days here and really, there is nothing I can do to screw that up. I mean, if I do make a mistake with her insulin, God forbid, it was all in His plan."
And here I thought I was helping her.
I pray you can trust. It is so easy to doubt and panic and worry and fear. That is exactly what the devil is telling you to do.
Seek God. Whatever is on your plate right now....whatever you are going through....Trust. God has a plan and it is a good plan. He loves you. He wants what is best for you.
Maybe it's things like wanting to sell your house and move or like waiting to hear back from a potential employer....
Or maybe it's things like the pursuit of having a baby or a diagnosis of cancer or even losing someone you love...
Whatever it is, it may seem hard to sit back and pray and trust. Just turn to the Word of God- which he so graciously provided for us.
Psalm 9:10 "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."
Near the front of the bible, in Exodus 34:6 , it says God is passionate about His relationship with you.
Based on my research, it appears the word trust is used in the bible (Revised Standard Version) 147 times with 44 of those times being in the psalms. In the King James version, it appears 181 times.
But I wanted to look also at the Greek words and see how many times they were used. I found several Greek words that are translated as trust in our English bible:
Elpizo- means to expect or confide; to hope
Peitho- to convince (it appears to be primarily related to obedience)
Pisteuo- to have faith
Pepoithesis- confidence
Of these, pisteuo alone is mentioned 248 times. Peitho is mentioned 52 times. Elpizo is mentioned 31 times. And pepoithesis is 6 times.
Now I am not a biblical scholar by any means. But the point I am trying to make is that God is constantly telling us to trust throughout His word, no matter which translation you read. I usually read the NIV (New International Version).
I particularly like Psalm 9:10 in my NIV:
"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."
It's easy to trust God when things are going well. It's easy to go to church and talk the talk. But when things fall apart, it's pretty darn hard to walk the walk. We often find ourselves scrambling around trying to control things ourselves instead of trusting God that He's got it.
A woman I recently met has a daughter who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the spring. Not many things turn your world upside down like seeing your child suffer- whether they are sick, being bullied, etc. "Mama Bear" comes out when are children are under attack. I mean, don't mess with our babies!
I called this woman to offer some encouragement. My daughter's diagnosis of diabetes was most definitely the worst time of my life. I didn't sleep for about two weeks nor did I eat more than I needed to merely survive. I cried and I cried. I couldn't believe there wasn't something that could be done to stop the progression of this disease since we had caught it so early.
I couldn't believe the diagnosis was really true. Her pancreas was still working some then. How could this be?
About two weeks in, I realized I had to let go. I had no control over this. I had to let God have her. Afterall, she is His child too. I am really only her guardian while she is here on earth.
I am telling you, the MOMENT I surrendered her to Him...the MOMENT I trusted Him, I felt peace.
I still have to regularly do this. A lot of moms wake up each and every night to check the blood sugar and make sure their child is not going low. It takes a lot of trust to sleep through the night.
About a week after I first called her, this woman and her daughter came over for a little playdate. Sitting on my back porch, she says to me something like this: "if my daughter didn't have a purpose here, she wouldn't be here. God predestined her life. He already knows the number of her days here and really, there is nothing I can do to screw that up. I mean, if I do make a mistake with her insulin, God forbid, it was all in His plan."
And here I thought I was helping her.
I pray you can trust. It is so easy to doubt and panic and worry and fear. That is exactly what the devil is telling you to do.
Seek God. Whatever is on your plate right now....whatever you are going through....Trust. God has a plan and it is a good plan. He loves you. He wants what is best for you.
Maybe it's things like wanting to sell your house and move or like waiting to hear back from a potential employer....
Or maybe it's things like the pursuit of having a baby or a diagnosis of cancer or even losing someone you love...
Whatever it is, it may seem hard to sit back and pray and trust. Just turn to the Word of God- which he so graciously provided for us.
Psalm 9:10 "Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you."
Near the front of the bible, in Exodus 34:6 , it says God is passionate about His relationship with you.
"The Lord, the compassionate and gracious God....abounding in love and faithfulness..."
I pray you will remember that and reciprocate it.
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