I seriously dislike not being in control. I suppose that's why I find it so hard to trust God sometimes.

Fundamentally trust is the decision to release control and allow it to be handled by someone else. Allowing someone else to be in charge of an outcome is not easy. In fact there are few people I trust with making decisions for me. However, the word of God is incredibly clear about God's trustworthiness. From creation to salvation God has demonstrated that he knows what is truly good for us. God has the sovereign love and power to work beauty from suffering.

I struggle to trust God, not because he isn't trustworthy but because I'm afraid. What if God's timing is slower than I want? What if God's plan is not as easy as I'd hoped? Why do you struggle to trust God?

If I could control things I would find the easiest and most painless way of doing things. Success would be based on fortune, pleasure, and comfort. God only knows one way to base his decisions: He orchestrates every detail of life for His great glory and for our opportunity to enjoy it.

Paul points this out in Romans 5,"And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope."

There is a paradoxical truth in which we see suffering actually being good. The embarrassing part is that my sufferings are often not that difficult at all. I feel sorry for myself and cry out to the heavens when I get a cold or when someone cuts me off in traffic. I question God's faithfulness even in the most insignificant and small difficulties of my day. Who am I to question the goodness of God? Has He not poured out the greatest display of faithful love by sacrificing His own son Jesus Christ for my sin? Has He not given me life and all that I enjoy despite my rebellion against his Holiness? How can I look at my life and lose hope in the glory of God?

When I re-fix my gaze upon the lavish and abundant goodness of God displayed through the life giving redemption of Jesus Christ I am renewed with the hope of perseverance. I find myself confident once again the I can trust God. I can trust that He loves me and that He will work out the details of my life for something beautiful.

"But I trust in you, O LORD; I say,"You are my God." My times are in your hands..." (Ps. 31:14.15a)

-Josh