#4–Trust in the Lord

For an explanation of this series, click here.

For the previous installment in this series (Decisions), click here.

Jenaleigh,

We had a little scare with you a few weeks ago. You see, we thought that you were going to come a little earlier (about two months earlier) than you should. Thankfully, you didn’t, but it certainly wasn’t a fun experience.

Take it from your dad, sometimes you’ll find yourself in situations where it seems like you have absolutely no control. As you’ll see, I like control. With you being my child, you probably will like control, too. Unfortunately, you will find (as I have) that unpredictability wreaks havoc on control.

When your mom started feeling pains that I couldn’t make go away, I felt out of control. When we went to the hospital, and the doctors and nurses started to get nervous, I could tell it was because none of us had control. When I watched you (still inside mommy) fly away in a helicopter, I felt the least amount of control I had the entire time.

Some of the world would have you think that the opposite of being in control is fate. I don’t buy that. Nothing is pre-determined, except God’s plan for saving the righteous through His Son (cf. 1 Peter 1:17-21). Even that is a choice on the part of the person.

Others would have you think that you are helpless. That very feeling is why people crack under pressure, when they realize that there’s nothing they can do about a situation. Indeed, if they are trusting solely in themselves or other people, they won’t always find help.

But when I saw you and mommy fly away, I didn’t feel helpless.

I guess I’ve been reading my Bible too much, and I’ve seen how God cares for His own (Proverbs 30:5). I guess that I’ve seen God’s providential care (well, maybe, can never be sure – Philemon 15-16) throughout my life. I guess that changes things. I know it changes things. I knew that God would take care of everything.

It’s strange, but wonderful, the peace that comes from relying on God. When we know there’s nothing else we can do, there’s a comfort that comes from realizing that someone else really has the power to do what needs to be done.

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ” (Philippians 4:6–7, NKJV)

I can’t imagine what it must be like for people who have no God to trust in. Anxiety must eat them alive. While they may dive to the philosophy of Stoicism (see also Colossians 2:8), or even “self medicate” through drugs or alcohol, there is no real comfort found in these things. There is no peace.

But for those who trust in God, who cast their cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7, and leave them cast on Him!), there is a peace that can’t be found anywhere else. It’s a peace that defies description. But you have to trust Him.

“Blessed be the Lord, Because He has heard the voice of my supplications! The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart greatly rejoices, And with my song I will praise Him. ” (Psalm 28:6–7, NKJV)