FROM FEAR TO TRUST
We hear so many words telling us to simply “trust God more,” but is it that easy? When the foundations of our lives have spun off-kilter, what then? How can trust be considered from a place of such upset? Is there a way to go from fear to trust?
The definition of “trust” in the Cambridge-English Dictionary is “to believe that someone is good and honest and will not harm you, or that something is safe and reliable.”
Ah-ha! There is the real crux of the matter. Our trust is based upon the ONE we have been asked to trust. When that object of trust is the God of the universe, how can we believe He is good, honest, and reliable? We can find the answers in His Word, the Word He has given us to show us how faithful he is.
PARALYZING FEAR CAN TURN INTO TRUST
The fear that paralyzes us can be turned into trust when we meet the utterly trustworthy One. Our prayers can become the very places where our fear is transformed into trust.
Will you join us today as we give those fears over to Him?
PRAYER #1
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. (John 20:1)
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank you for understanding the grief and the confusion that hits us when we can’t see your full plan. How hard it must have been for Mary to find the stone removed, and your body missing! She could not understand what had happened. There are days when we cannot see your full purposes, and we become so confused too. Oh, but thank you for meeting Mary, and revealing your wondrous plan: YOU arose and defeated death! Help us to trust that you have risen for us also. We praise you today, in the middle of our own hard places. You are the Glorious Lord reigning over all!
In your name, we pray,
Amen.
PRAYER #2
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household. (Ephesians 2:19)
Dear Father,
Thank You for sending Your own son for us, to call us all into Your household. Thank You that we can lift our prayers before You now as members of Your own family. Help us to come to you with our requests, and trust that You don’t call us strangers but You listen to us as Your children. We praise You, Father, because of Your great love towards us.
In the name of Jesus, Your son, we pray,
Amen.
PRAYER #3
Would you join us together in prayer this week?
Dear Lord God,
We are astounded that Your Word meets us in our everyday places. Thank You for leading us through Your Scriptures this week.
When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm. (Psalm 75:3)
Even as the earth around us seems to be quaking more every day, we have felt our hearts shaking in fear. A diagnosis shatters our calm. A burden seems to break open on our shoulders. A new pain etches a crevice into our lives. Oh, but thank You, Lord, for the assurance that You speak over us now! You hold the pillars of this earth and You will hold the foundations of our lives as well. Will You wrap your arms around our shaking hearts? Help us to rest in Your mighty strength this day.
We praise You, our Lord Jesus,
Amen.
PRAYER #4
Dear Father,
Thank You for the true hope that You bring to us:
And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5:5)
Oh Lord, we confess that this world has covered us with so much shame. There are days when hope feels like a fairy tale — and yet, we thank You for Your Holy Spirit that speaks Your truth into the deep cries that we utter. You have poured out Your love right here. We lift our broken places to You, and we lift our broken prayers to You. Wash over the dark places with Your holy light and love. Stir up the hope that comes from Your Spirit. We praise You, our glorious Lord!
In the name of Your son Jesus, we pray,
Amen.
Bettie Gilbert
Chronic Joy Contributing Writer
You can find Bettie blogging from her home in the far north suburbs of Chicago at bettiegsraseasons.com. She is walking forward with Jesus in the middle of her pain and weakness from multiple chronic illnesses. The beauty of nature and her family (including nine young grandchildren) are Bettie's joys. She and her husband have been married for over 40 years and take great delight in their weekend coffee breaks together.
Devotional Guide
Chronic Joy® devotionals are an invitation to take one gentle step, to pray in a comforting and familiar or perhaps new-to-you way, or to cry out on behalf of one precious life today … maybe even yours.
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You're invited to the Prayer Pond, your safe harbor. This is where you can share your prayer requests, updates, and shouts of praise. Whether a request, praise, lament, loss, hope, grief, joy, or plea for release from suffering or pain, each prayer ripples far beyond this day and the boundaries of our world. #PrayItForward by praying for others.
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