Faith In God: Trusting The Divine Plan

Trusting God is a cornerstone of the Christian faith, and the Bible offers numerous verses that encourage believers to have faith in God's plan, even in difficult times. The Bible teaches that God is unchanging and always faithful, and that believers should seek solace in Him during life's uncertainties. While it can be challenging to understand God's plan, the Scriptures remind followers that God is trustworthy and will provide for those who seek Him. Trusting God is a choice—it is about having faith in Him and obeying Him, even when one's feelings or circumstances contradict this trust.

Seek truth in scripture

Trusting God is not always easy, especially in difficult times. However, scripture can provide a firm foundation when things feel unsteady. Scripture, or the Bible, is God's Word, and it is unchanging and completely trustworthy.

The Bible records God's responses in difficult times in the past. It reminds us that He is trustworthy, no matter our circumstances. Many people in Scripture reference other parts of Scripture to encourage themselves and those around them.

The truth of Scripture frees you from the expectations of earning your salvation. It also frees you from the unrealistic scenarios that you may worry about. If you don’t turn to the Word to remind yourself of the truth in difficult times, it is easier to be led into lies about your life and who God is.

You need a strong foundation of Scripture to stand on, especially when you feel uncertain. The Bible is God’s unfailing, unchanging Word. You can cling to its truth when life becomes challenging.

Be honest with God. Allow Him to remind you of who He is and what He promises, and then be honest with Him. You can tell God how you feel and in what areas of your life you are struggling to trust Him.

It is good to first acknowledge that His character is good and trustworthy. You can agree with Him that all He says is true. You can also tell Him when it’s difficult for you to believe.

In Mark 9, a man brought his son to Jesus to be healed of a demon. Jesus asked the man if he believed He could heal his son, and the man replied:

> "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24, NIV)

He believed, but it was challenging. So, he asked for help.

It is one thing to know the truth, but sometimes it is hard to believe it when life takes unexpected turns. You can confess to God when your feelings and beliefs are not aligning with His Truth. You can ask Him to help you believe what He says is true.

This helps you accept that God is bigger than you could ever understand. Confession helps you to humble yourself and allows you to grow in trust. He hears your requests and answers them. He wants to help you grow your faith.

Share your concerns with your community

Sharing your concerns with your community is an important part of having faith and trusting God. It is important to remember that you are not facing these difficult times alone. The Lord is walking with you every step of the way, and He also gives you other believers to walk with.

Paul, a follower of Jesus and a leader in the early church, said:

> "I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ." (Philemon 1:6, NIV)

Paul reminds his fellow believers that partnership is important and helps us to have a greater understanding of God and His plan. When you are struggling, share those concerns with another follower of Jesus whom you trust—someone you know is pursuing a relationship with God regularly and who knows God's Word. You do not have to share your struggles with everyone, but it is important to find people who will encourage you and share the truth with you, not just tell you what you want to hear.

Fellow believers can remind you of God's character through encouragement and accountability. They can pray for and support you. They can remind you of the truth when you are struggling. Community reminds you that you are never alone, even in hard times.

• Be honest: Allow God to remind you of who He is and what He promises, and then be honest with Him. You can tell God how you feel and in what areas of your life you are struggling to trust Him.
• Acknowledge His character: It is good to acknowledge that God's character is good and trustworthy. You can agree with Him that all He says is true. You can also tell Him when it is difficult for you to believe.
• Confess your feelings: You are human, and it is okay to confess to God when your feelings and beliefs are not aligning with His truth. You can ask Him to help you believe what He says is true. Confession helps you to humble yourself and allows you to grow in trust.
• Find encouragement and accountability: Fellow believers can provide encouragement and hold you accountable. They can remind you of God's character and the truth of His Word when you are struggling.
• Pray and support one another: Your community can pray for you and support you through difficult times. They can also help you to stay focused on God's promises and His plan for your life.

Remember God and spend time with him

Spending time with God

Life can be unpredictable, with ups and downs. While it may be easier to trust God when things are going well, it is even more important to trust Him when times are difficult. God's unchanging character can give us a firm foundation when things feel uncertain.

God is bigger than your circumstances. He is always present, in the good and the bad times. He wants you to go to Him with your circumstances, but also to spend time with Him. Establishing a consistent time with the Lord when things are going well will help you continue to turn to Him when things get tough.

How to spend time with God

• Read His Word: Spending time in the Bible, acknowledging who He is, will help you see God outside of difficult things and establish trust in your heart.
• Prayer: Through prayer, you can talk to God about all your feelings and circumstances—the good and the bad. God is not disappointed or frustrated by your struggles, doubts or pain. He cares about you and you can trust Him.
• Fellowship: Meet with other believers and set your eyes on things that are bigger than your circumstances.
• Service: Serve those around you.

Benefits of spending time with God

These simple practices will help you to:

• See God: You will be able to see God outside of difficult things, which will establish trust in your heart.
• Understand His plan: God has a plan for your future. Spending time with Him will remind you of His plan and give you comfort and faith in His timing.
• Feel His presence: God is always near. You just need to acknowledge Him.
• Find peace: When you place your full trust in God, no worry will be too big for Him.
• Receive guidance: God will guide and protect you.

A prayer for spending time with God

"Lord, as waves of fear come, I pray you would stir up in me a heart that desires to run to you. I pray for an unwavering trust in your goodness and the praise that you are my refuge. Thank you for your unfailing love, grace, and mercy over my life."

Look for things to be grateful for

Gratitude is a powerful tool to have in life. It can benefit you and others in a big way. When you're going through difficult times, it can be challenging to trust in God's plan and maintain your faith. However, by actively seeking out things to be grateful for, you can strengthen your trust in God and find comfort in His presence.

The Power of Gratitude

Gratitude can help put your challenges into perspective. No matter how difficult life gets, there is always something to be thankful for. For example, you can be grateful for the gift of life itself. God gave you life and a beautiful world to live in. He also provided guidelines and laws to help you live a good and abundant life.

Additionally, you can be grateful that you are never alone. God is always with you, no matter where you go or what you do. He is your constant companion, supporter, and Father. As Psalm 139:2-3 says:

> "You know my sitting down and my rising up; you understand my thought afar off. You comprehend my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways."

Rejoicing in Tribulation

Another reason to be grateful is that tribulations and trials can lead to spiritual growth. While it may be difficult to understand why God allows suffering, remember that He knows exactly what you need to prepare for heaven. By trusting in His plan, you can even rejoice in difficult times, knowing that they are shaping you and drawing you closer to God. As James 1:2 says:

> "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials."

God's Love and Sacrifice

Perhaps one of the most significant reasons for gratitude is God's incredible love for you. He loved you so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for your sins so that you could have eternal life. Through Jesus, you have the opportunity for full forgiveness and a fresh start. What a reason to be thankful!

A Hopeful Future

Finally, you can be grateful for the hope that you have for the future. When you have given your life to God and surrendered your will to Him, you can look forward to spending eternity with Him in heaven. You will also meet others who have walked a similar path and can rejoice together.

So, when life gets tough, remember to look for things to be grateful for. By doing so, you will strengthen your trust in God and find peace and joy, even in the midst of trials.

Walk in the Holy Spirit

Walking in the Holy Spirit is a central tenet of the Christian faith. It is a way of living your life in the continual presence of the Spirit of God.

The Holy Spirit is a helper and comforter, who proceeds from the Father and lives inside those who trust in Jesus. The Holy Spirit assists believers in prayer and leads them towards righteousness. Walking in the Holy Spirit means yielding to the Holy Spirit's control, following its lead, and allowing it to exert its influence over you.

Walking in the Holy Spirit is the opposite of resisting or grieving the Holy Spirit. It is a way of living that is connected to the Holy Spirit on a regular basis. It is about depending on the Holy Spirit and making it the one you turn to as you go through life.

• Commit to prayer: Prayer is how we connect our spirit with the Holy Spirit. It is a lifeline for believers and a way to invite the Holy Spirit's influence and empowerment in your life.
• Commit to the Word: Reading the Bible gives you instruction on how to live, and the Holy Spirit gives you the power to do it. They work together, with the Word of God teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training you in righteousness.
• Commit to obedience: Walking in the Holy Spirit gives you the desire to obey, not out of obligation, but because your love for God grows. The more you love God, the more you want to obey Him.

Walking in the Holy Spirit is about surrendering to God's will and guidance, which leads to a path of fullness and life. It is a way of living that puts God at the centre and strives to follow His example.

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