Righteous Pathway Ministries

TRUST

What I’m about to share may seem shallow to some or perhaps even primitive. As of late I have realized how uncomplicated serving the Lord really is. When my focus shifts from me to Him everything is simplified. His presence reduces all man made doctrine and religious beliefs to nothing more than fear based guilt and manipulation.

Trusting God is the easy part of serving Him even though that is not the popular belief. The hard part is tuning out all of the thoughts and voices that come against that child-like faith (trust/confidence). Most people try to trust God without knowing Him and that is not possible. You cannot trust someone that you do not know. It isn’t enough to know “about” Him but you must personally know Him for yourself.

To simplify things I believe there are two main factors that keep us from trusting God. Number one is fear and secondly is selfishness/self-centeredness. When we can put that little four letter word “fear” in its rightful place then we are free and can begin to live the abundant life that was promised. Perfect love, a love so pure that it lacks nothing casts out fear. Fear has torment and is torturous.

Let’s take a closer look at fear. There is good fear and bad fear. Yes, I know that sounds incorrect but it’s true. Good fear is the wisdom that associates an action with that which could cause pain or harm . A good example of “good fear” would be that you know if you play with fire the possibility of getting burned is very real, therefore you fear fire, perhaps not the fire itself but the result that fire can have if you mess around with it. It may be considered a part of common sense.

Another good fear is the awe, reverence and respect that we show toward someone or something. This is what is meant by “To fear God.” Most of us have been taught to fear God is to be afraid of judgment and going to hell and this is a false teaching of what it means to fear God.

Bad fear is known by many names, worry, anxiety, phobia, fright, and regret to name a few. Bad fear will bind you holding you captive to a life of slavery limiting your freedom.

Selfishness or self-centeredness will keep you from trusting God. To trust God we must not be concerned with the welfare of self. Being concerned with our own interests, needs and wishes while ignoring those of others is selfish and self-centered. Thinking that our needs are more important than those of other people. We must become selfless in order to trust God, realizing He has promised to meet our needs.

Narcissism is excessive self admiration and self-centeredness. This type of person is only concerned about benefiting themselves usually at the expense of others. They demand admiration. This doesn’t describe the character of God but of His adversary.

When we truly trust God we will allow Him to love us. When we know beyond the shadow of a doubt that Gods love is unconditional not dependent on our performance then nothing else will matter and all things will fall into place for us. Gods love brings His presence near, providing confidence, peace, security, safety, reproof, repentance, forgiveness, joy and rest. Until we can allow God to love us we cannot love God, others or ourselves.

We have been commanded to love God and our neighbor “as ourselves” so do not think it is wrong to love yourself, just don’t become selfish or self-centered in doing so! We cannot love God until we comprehend and appreciate that we love Him because He first loved us!

Start your day with seeking the face of God, enjoying His presence and you will be well equipped to face the people and situations that He brings your way.

As I continue my journey with Him,

Patty Bishop