Learning To Trust God With Your Story
“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.”
Jeremiah 17:7-8
I’m not in any way a control freak in relationships with others, but I’m beginning to see that in my relationship with God, I routinely struggle to submit my plans to His. Isn’t it ironic that I’ll allow any number of fallen, imperfect people to call the shots in my life, but when the Creator of the Universe has plans that don’t line up with my own, I stand with fists clenched tightly, sometimes even stomping my feet a little? Just the thought makes me laugh out loud!
But that’s where I find myself. And not too long ago, as I struggled with anxious thoughts about the future, I felt the Lord asking, “Do you trust Me with your story?”
Do you trust God with your story? Sometimes that's easier said than done. Click To TweetMy Ah-Ha Moment
It was as if the light bulb turned on in my head, as I realized that God had big plans for me. Plans He had been writing in my own personal life-book, and they were so much bigger and His perspective so much greater than anything I could dare claim as my own. Compared to the beautifully complex, eloquent story He was writing for me, my own plans and the things I’d choose as “best” would look like the scribblings of a toddler. And I knew that even if God didn’t deliver the things I wanted and prayed for, He was good, and He knows best.
Of course, Lord. Of course I trust you with my story.
Some Lessons Are Harder Than Others
But then, a few weeks ago I was tested again. My son had been on a wonderful recreational league hockey team. We didn’t travel much for games, and the players and parents had become like a family to us. Our son went to tryouts for a competitive level team just to gain experience and get some ice time in before the season began, but he ended up making the team. Some new regulations made it more ideal for our son to play at the competitive level to better prepare him for high school hockey, and my husband felt like he should take the spot on the new team.
I was heartbroken at the thought of leaving our team, not to mention anxious about the costs and time commitment and travel associated with a higher level team. I prayed like crazy that God would make it clear one way or another whether he should change teams or stay with our original team – but made it clear to God which one I wanted Him to pick! Our family prayed together about it, and our son talked it over and prayed with his youth pastor. He decided he wanted to contact his coach to get some advice. The coach said that if he wanted to play high school hockey, the comp team is where he needed to be.
That was that.
Learning To Trust
In my head, I knew that this was the confirmation we had been praying for, but my heart was flailing, grasping around for anything that might make sense of why the answer hadn’t been what I had originally wanted. Because my fears were still there about the unknowns of additional travel expenses and time – and I already felt like our lives were overscheduled and that I was struggling just to keep from drowning at any given moment with three kids in hockey, music and other activities.
And then the phrase popped back into my head:
Do you trust Me with your story?
And just like that, I felt a calm fall over me like a warm breeze. Of course I did. So I told Him:
I trust You with my story.
I trust You with my time.
I trust You with my schedule.
I trust You with my child.
I trust You with my finances.
I trust You with my friendships.
I trust You with change.
I trust You with everything.
I know I’m still a recovering control freak in my relationship with God. But I feel a particular victory in seeing how it’s becoming easier and easier to unclench my fists. I’m throwing fewer temper tantrums, and hearing His voice more clearly, more often.
3 Facts To Remember No Matter What Life Throws Your Way
Is there a chapter in your story you’d like to forget? Or does the current plot look ominous or cause you anxiety? Try (and I know it’s not easy!) to remember these three things:
- The Author of your story loves you with an everlasting love.
- He is never surprised by the details that unfold in your life.
- He is at work in every single letter of your personal story to bring about life to the full and ultimate good for you and for His kingdom.
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, whohave been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28 (NIV)
A Prayer For Entrusting God With Your Story
Thank you, God, for caring enough to pen my story with Your own loving hand. With a quill dipped in the blood of Jesus, you seal my position as Your beloved daughter, bought with a price and free from slavery to sin; free from the bondage to the whims of my heart, and privileged to come under the Lordship of the One who sees all, knows all, and orchestrates every detail of my life for my ultimate good. Amen.
Join The Conversation
How have you seen God at work in your own story? Or how can we pray for you as you walk through a particularly difficult chapter? We would love to hear from you in the comments.
3 facts to remember no matter what life throws your way… Click To Tweet
If you liked this post, check out our anthology, Candid Conversations. While each story in this book shares a unique perspective, the prevailing theme is that we all struggle but there is hope to be found in Jesus. Get your copy from Amazon or click here to learn more.
