Trust
Trust is a fundamental biblical quality that plays a crucial role in our relationship with God and with others. In the Bible, trust is often associated with faith, hope, and love, and is seen as a virtue that is necessary for spiritual growth and maturity.
CLICK HERE or on the image to open the infographic.
What is Trust?
Trust involves having faith and confidence in someone or something, believing that they are reliable, truthful, and capable of fulfilling their promises.
One of the most well-known passages about trust is found in the book of Proverbs, where the author writes, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths" (Proverbs 3:5-6, ESV). This passage suggests that trusting in God is essential for a life that is directed and guided by Him.
Another well-known passage about trust is found in the book of Psalms, where the author writes, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, 'My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust'" (Psalm 91:1-2, ESV). This passage suggests that trusting in God provides a sense of security and protection, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.
Cultivate Trust
So, how can we develop the biblical quality of trust in our own lives? Here are a few tips:
- Get to know God. The more we learn about God's character, the more we can trust Him. Spend time reading the Bible and meditating on God's attributes of love, faithfulness, and sovereignty.
- Practice surrender. Surrendering our own plans and desires to God is an act of trust. Pray regularly, and ask God to help you let go of control and trust in His plan.
- Cultivate gratitude. When we focus on the blessings in our lives, we are more likely to trust that God is good and faithful. Take time each day to thank God for His provision and grace.
- Seek wisdom. Seeking wise counsel from others can help us make wise decisions and develop a sense of trust in God's guidance.
- Be patient. Trust often requires patience, as we wait for God's timing and plan to unfold. Practice patience in all areas of your life, and trust that God is working all things together for good.
- Practice forgiveness. Forgiveness is an act of trust, as we let go of hurt and bitterness and trust God to heal and restore relationships.
- Take risks. Trust often involves taking risks and stepping out in faith. Ask God to give you the courage and strength to take risks and trust in His provision and guidance.
- Surround yourself with trustworthy people. Building relationships with trustworthy people can help us develop a sense of trust and security.
- Focus on the eternal. Trusting in God's promises of eternal life and redemption can help us put our trust in Him and not in the temporary things of this world.
- Pray for trust. Ask God to help you develop a deep and abiding trust in Him, and to give you the faith and confidence to trust in His plan and purpose for your life.
Prayer and Reading Guide for Developing Trust
Here are ten things people could pray for to develop trust in God, along with a corresponding Bible verse from the English Standard Version (ESV):
- Pray for the faith to trust in God's promises: "And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him." - Hebrews 11:6
- Pray for the ability to surrender control to God: "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act." - Psalm 37:5
- Pray for the ability to trust God's timing: "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
- Pray for the ability to trust in God's provision: "And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:19
- Pray for the ability to trust in God's wisdom: "For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding." - Proverbs 2:6
- Pray for the ability to trust in God's guidance: "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you." - Psalm 32:8
- Pray for the ability to trust in God's protection: "The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." - Psalm 18:2
- Pray for the ability to trust in God's love: "So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." - 1 John 4:16
- Pray for the ability to trust in God's grace: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." - Ephesians 2:8
- Pray for the ability to trust in God's sovereignty: "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11
In conclusion, trust is a biblical quality that is essential for spiritual growth and maturity. By getting to know God, practicing surrender, cultivating gratitude, seeking wisdom, being patient, practicing forgiveness, taking risks, surrounding ourselves with trustworthy people, focusing on the eternal, and praying for trust, we can develop this important quality in our own lives. As we grow in trust, we will become more like Christ, who trusted fully in the Father's plan and purpose for His life.
Add a Comment