When You’re Struggling to Trust
A devotional by Patricia Russell
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.”—Jeremiah 17:7 (NLT)
Have you ever entrusted someone with something precious—your heart, a dream, a secret, or even your reputation—only to have them betray your trust?
I’d say most of us have. Those moments leave a mark. They change the way we approach relationships, and if we're not careful, they even influence the way we approach God. I remember several years ago when my husband and I were attending a conference with other leaders. Somehow the conversation led to being carried “over the threshold”. One of the leaders smiled confidently and said, “I'm sure I could carry you.” Before I had time to respond, he picked me up, took a few steps then dropped me.
I wasn’t injured, but my pride and dignity were. One thing was certain: He was never going to get another opportunity to carry me again. Trust, once dropped, is not easily handed back. Seems I'm not the only one who’s ever been dropped.
In 2 Samuel 4:4, we’re told about the child Mephibosheth. When news came that his father, Jonathan and grandfather Saul had been killed, his nurse picked him up and fled in fear. Her intentions were good. She wasn't trying to hurt him; she was trying to save him. But in her haste, she dropped him, and from that day forward, Mephibosheth lived with the consequences. He became crippled not because of something he had done, but because someone else dropped what had been entrusted to them. It was an event that shaped the rest of his life.
Perhaps that’s your story today. Maybe you weren’t physically dropped, but somewhere along life's journey someone failed to carry what you entrusted to them. That experience has an impact on how you see people, and if you’re not careful, it may even affect how you see God. Trust takes time to build. It’s done over time by consistency and strengthened through experience. The Lord has such a proven reputation of trustworthiness that has been built before time began.
I remember a teacher saying, “Trust must be earned.” God has earned the right to be trusted. God understands that trust develops over time. We can see how He has remained faithful through the highs and the lows of life. That’s why our walk with God is a journey; it’s a relationship. He has a track record that speaks to the fact that He can be trusted.
Throughout my lifetime I have proven the hymn “Great is Thy Faithfulness” written by Thomas O. Chisholm and composed by William M. Runyan. My favorite lyrics in the song are from the refrain that says how great God’s faithfulness to us is and how every morning brings us new mercies from Him.
If you’re struggling today and questioning God’s commitment to standing with you in the hard times, I want to encourage you to trust Him. You can lean into His faithfulness and receive the blessing that comes from placing your confidence in Him.
Remember Mephibosheth. Although wounded from his past, he was not forgotten. In fact, he was protected and cared for—not because of anything he had done, but because of a promise King David had made to his father, Jonathan, long before Mephibosheth was even born. His future rested on a covenant he didn’t initiate and couldn't earn.
In the same way, God is faithful toward us, and it’s not based on our circumstances but because of His unchanging character. He keeps his promises. We can rest and trust that the God who made the promise is the same one who remains faithful to fulfill it.
Let’s Pray:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for your faithfulness toward us. Morning by morning, new mercies we see. You are the same yesterday, today and forever, and we can depend on you completely. You are God and God alone! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Song of Reflection #1: “Trust Me” by Crystal Lewis. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #2: “Trust in You” by Anthony Brown & Group Therapy. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #3: “Great is Thy Faithfulness” by CeCe Winans. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #4: “Great is Thy Faithfulness” by Austin Stone Worship Live from TGC. Listen to it here.
Song of Reflection #5: “It's Always Been You” by Phil Wickham. Listen to it here.
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Author Bio:
Patricia is a worship leader, songwriter, speaker and compiler of her 2020 best-seller anthology "Stronger Resilience: Stories to Empower the Mind, Body and Spirit", as well as Lord I Trust You: Words of Encouragement to encourage readers and share life lessons during her cancer journey.
Patricia writes, speaks, and teaches on the power of God’s Word to heal and empower you to become all that you are purposed for. She has traveled internationally and shared her gifts with audiences to encourage, empower and share life lessons through word and song. Patricia has sung on national television broadcasts and shared the stage with several respected speakers including Anne Graham Lotz and Rev. E.V. Hill.
Her greatest joy is being married to her husband, Wayne, for 34 years. Together they serve the community through their local congregation as well as providing premarital and marriage coaching. They have two adult children, Raquel and Benjamin. As a two-time breast cancer overcomer, Patricia coaches’ others to develop resilience and live life to their fullest.
Patricia has released two gospel music recordings: “Draw Me Nearer” and “Lord, I Trust You”. In March 2022, she launched her podcast “Becoming Resilient” which can be downloaded wherever you get your podcasts and also seen on YouTube.
When not reading or studying, Patricia loves to eat Thai food and spend time with “Lucy” – her daughter’s Yorkie-poo who has taken up room in her heart.
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Connect with Patricia:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrussellsings/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pat.russell.98877/
Email Patricia: patrussellsings@gmail.com
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