It can be hard to know if we really trust Jesus until our faith is tested.

Tests can come in many forms. Ever had one of those scary moments when you didn’t know what could happen?

• Maybe you didn’t know where your child was or if they were coming home again.

• Maybe you were being rolled into a surgery and the outcome was uncertain.

• Maybe you were reorged and escorted from former employer’s property right after buying a new home.

• Maybe you accepted an irrevocable retirement offer just before the stock market plunged and your retirement savings vanished.

In those moments when we realize things are out of our hands, that there is absolutely nothing we can do but depend on the God we say we trust, we discover whether we actually do trust Him.

It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. (Psalm 118:8)

It’s great to have friends, mentors, counselors. But the arm of flesh will fail. Our flesh. Our financial planner’s flesh. Our pastor’s flesh. The “flesh” of everyone in our network. People are mortal, human; they will fail us.

God is love. Love never fails.

When the flesh we trusted fails, everything we say we believe about God is confronted, tested and tried.

Despite what we may have heard or want to accept, the Bible clearly illustrates that God allows Christ-followers to face startling, unexpected and sometimes scary circumstances that are beyond our control.

If we never come to those places, we don’t grow. We don’t get the opportunity to know if we really believe or love God. If our faith proves genuine, in these times of testing, we often get to see Him show up in amazing ways.

I’ve had people tell me with good reason that something I needed to happen never could be done, that it just wasn’t possible. Yet, I often have appealed to the God of heaven, with whom all things are possible, and seen Him do that very thing. In spite of the experience of naysayers. In spite of my little faith.

So if you’re up against it and have no idea how your situation can be resolved, take heart! Hope in God.

To trust the living God is the surest thing any of us can do. Those who hope in Him will not be disappointed.

There is no blessing in reciting mantras, burning sage or doing any kind of religious service for God without trusting in God. Following Christ is not a work assignment; it’s a relationship. Real relationship is built on trust.

My blessing is on those people who trust in me,
who put their confidence in me. (Jeremiah 17:6)

Trusting Christ doesn’t mean our troubles are over. In this world you will have trouble. It doesn’t mean we’ll always get the outcomes we want. We are called according to His purpose, not our own.

If we love God, we’ll keep His commandments and do the things that please Him. That’s submission, yielding to His authority. Trust precedes submission.

Life can take unexpected turns. No matter what comes or goes, Jesus has promised this: He will never leave you nor forsake you.

Trust Him.