Trust Issues

Has this year given you trust issues?

The pandemic has thrown a huge curveball toward just about every aspect of our lives ranging from our usual work and school routine all the way to worshipping in church or even just taking our children to the doctor. I’ve been misunderstood and I’ve misunderstood more times than I can count due to wearing a mask everywhere that I go. Quite frankly, I just don’t even want to have to think about it anymore! As if COVID-19 wasn’t enough already, let’s throw in an election year. Polarizing political parties are sure to boost confidence in other people, amiright? (Just kidding. That was sarcasm.) Not only that, add in ongoing racism, wildfires, etcetera. I think I’ll just stop there. 

All this to say what I don’t really need to even say. It’s been a year for the books. This constant sense of the overwhelming unknown has likely taken its toll on most of us. While we have never known the future before, now we know even less. There’s little to look forward to when plans are next to impossible to make. It’s all so unsettling.

Trust issues are creeping up in me. I feel like I am losing my trust in other people. What happens when we don’t have the same opinion in something I thought we would share? Then I begin to lose trust in myself, because since when was I so affected by this stuff anyways? Can I trust anyone anymore?

I mean, like, God? Are you even there?

Thoughts like this can range from fleeting to all-consuming depending on the day around here, but one thing is constant, my need for His Word to give me a dose of reality.

Even on my whiniest of days, in my most pathetic of moods, there are still many examples to reference in the pages of the Bible that can provide me with some perspective. 

This pandemic sure seems long at times, but what do you think Abraham would say? God was teaching him patience beyond patience as he waited until Abraham was a hundred years old to bless him with his son (Genesis 21). Or how about Noah? Did you think your living room feels small with your family day after day? Maybe living on a boat with every animal that exists for a year will make you change your mind a little (Genesis 8).

If we take a look at Joseph, we can see him being knocked down by others several times in his life. First, his very own brothers sold him into slavery. This was after one of them had to convince the others not to outright kill him (Genesis 37). After being established as Potiphar’s head slave, Potiphar’s wife lied about Joseph landing him in jail for two whole years before he was discovered by the king (Genesis 39-41). Talk about differing opinions! But in the end, it all worked out didn’t it? Joseph was reunited with his brothers and father. He saved entire nations from the calamity of famine! Look at what Joseph has to say about this:

“I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.” Genesis 45:4-7

My point isn’t really to over simplify and diminish our feelings. This year has been difficult for so many. Lost jobs, lost loved ones, drastic life changes along with regular everyday life things continuing on top of it. This has been and is overwhelming. Unfortunately and very evidently, sin is here in this world, and it isn’t going anywhere. 

Despite what we may be feeling, God has been there through it all. And he is still here. We see time and time again, God executing his plans throughout the Bible. We can turn to his Word and see where you could have been overwhelmed or lost your faith in God’s promises. We can empathize with these feelings! But we read on to see the outcome-- God has done and can do wondrous things! Abraham is promised children as numerous as the stars in the sky (Genesis 15:5). Noah is given a sight to behold in a rainbow after so much darkness and gloom (Genesis 9:13). Joseph saves nations from famine securing the line of our Savior. While we do not know the outcome of this current story, we can put our full trust and faith in our Heavenly Father. For “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.’ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:35-39, emphasis added) 

Christian Worship: Psalm 31 

Surely, it is God who saves me;
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense,
And he will be my Savior.

In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge;
Deliver me in your righteousness.
Be my rock of refuge,
A strong fortress to save me.
Into your hands I commit my spirit;
Redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.

My times are in your hands;
Save me in your unfailing love.
How great is your goodness,
Which you have stored up for those who fear you.
You heard my cry for mercy
When I called to you for help. 
Glory be to the Father and to the Son
And to the Holy Spirit,
As it was in the beginning,
Is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Surely, it is God who saves me;
I will trust in him and not be afraid.
For the Lord is my stronghold and my sure defense,
And he will be my Savior.