TRUST

Trust in the Lord does not mean, I trust God, but...; it means I trust (period). There is some that may say, I trust in God, but I will do everything in my power as well. There is a very fine line to that statement. If we trust in God and do everything that we can, then everything that we are doing should also be coming from the direction the Lord through the Holy Spirit. However, if we are doing something outside the boundaries of God’s will such as lying, manipulating or using resources outside the plan of God, we could very well be countering God successful plan for us.

So what is the difference? Proverbs 37:23 says, The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. However, Proverbs 14:12 says, There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. The first proverb speaks of trust in the steps that provided as direction and the second proverb warns about doing something our own way or within our control. Trust and control are opposites which never really meet. If we trust in God, but have an alternate plan “just in case” God does not come through is completely adverse to trusting. In our human nature, we like to be in control, the captain of our ship and that is completely against the plan of God. Trust does not mean we do not have any actions which we execute, nor does it mean giving up control, in fact what trusting really means is being in control of the actions or steps relegated to us by God and forsaking all else.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct[a] your paths. – Proverbs 3:5,6.

Simply put, we cannot do the will of two opposing positions at the same time, either trust The Lord with "all" our heart and lean not to our own understanding, in all our ways acknowledge Him and He will direct our paths, or simply stay in control, however, know this, when we stay in control we own the results, when God is in control He owns the outcome. Be blessed, be encouraged!