Trust issues … we’ve all got ’em. In some form or other, we are wrestling with our own decision to hold onto an answer that will put an end to all questions. Yes, we are battling the decision to choose between two offerings.
We stand at the intersection of those two roads, vacillating between the left or right. Which means we have a choice to make. We have the free will to choose.
Without craning our neck too far out of alignment, the whispers are subtle but the fear of making the wrong decision plagues our inner (wo)man.
The world says: you choose incorrectly and you suffer endless consequences. Jesus says: you stumble and fall and I’ll catch you, clean you up and treat you like a friend.
Some of us are going through a valley of enormous proportions. We did not choose this season; it chose us. In many ways, we didn’t see it coming; but it came for us like a tsunami on a mission to pummel the shore. Some of us can’t feel the ground we are standing on, much less see where to place our foot for the next step. Some of us can hear the egg shells cracking with every attempt to make progress.
Fear. It grips the soul smothering the breath right out of you.
Be strong, all who wait with hope for the Lord, and let your heart be courageous. Psalm 31:24 GWT
but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31 ESV
That feeling of hopelessness … we’ve all been there. Afraid to do this … because that might happen. Not wanting to disappoint someone, for fear of losing their approval of you. Not wanting to appear uneducated, for fear of ridicule. Not wanting to stick out like a sore thumb, for fear of rejection. Silencing your own voice, for fear of judgement.
Fear.
But when fear leads to hopelessness, we are agreeing to paralysis. Stuck with nothing to hold on to.
That thing — that Someone — that we consciously choose to reach out and grab hold of … we’ve placed trust there. We have a confidence that we will find relief and reprieve for our battle torn selves. And I know the One with the track-record to prove His faithfulness outlasts and outweighs any human attempt to define a sure thing.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 ESV
The deciding factor — to extend ourselves with intentional effort — means we have the confidence to trust. That comes at a price. Are we willing to pay it? Can we afford to risk it all — when we can barely make sense of what is right in front of us? I say, how can we not? All other attempts have failed miserably and the ones still left are not looking much better. I don’t want to waiver any longer. Do you?
Here’s something that I have found is really sweet about reaching for Jesus: He’s already paid the price. He makes it simpler than we think and says: Just come as you are. Don’t worry about achieving a rank or status. Forget the notion of getting cleaned up — He does that for us.
I’m in! Are you?
I’m holding on to Hope. If I feel like my grip is failing, He continues to hold onto me. That’s the kind of Hope I want.
For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,
for my hope is from him. Psalm 62:5 ESV
I love you to Heaven and Back, Girlfriend ~~
LindaRJohnson, TitusTwo Visionary
*Thank you to Katie and Bryan Torwalt for this.
Titus Two 