I am blessed to have my dental needs provided by an excellent dental office staff. Since I have spent a small fortune on my mouth, I can easily fret about my six month dental examination because I never know what it may reveal. As the date for the appointment approaches, I have two choices—I can worry about what might surface during my examination or I can trust that my loving heavenly Father will provide me with the courage to accept its diagnosis.
The fretting associated with a failure to trust that our heavenly Father will provide our needs is as old as antiquity—Solomon’s words, “there is no new thing under the sun” (Eccl. 1:9) accurately summarizes their longevity. Sarah and Hannah fretted about their barren wombs (Gen. 16:1-16; 1 Sam. 1:1-28); Naomi’s lack of trust caused her to develop a bitter spirit (Ruth 1:1-22), while Job’s wife’s nonexistence trust was so great that she counseled her husband to “curse God and die!” (Job 1:9).
A lack of trust generates many negative and no positive results. Those who fail to trust God for their provision allow themselves to become victims rather than victors over their circumstances because they chose to “lean on their own understanding” rather than trusting in the timeless principles contained in the Word of God (Prov. 3:5-6). What is your reflex reaction when circumstances beyond your control occur? I encourage you to respond to the Trust Quotient below using this scale to determine your level of Trust in your heavenly Father’s ability to daily provide for you: 4 = frequently; 3 = sometimes; 2 = seldom; 1 = never.
My Trust Quotient
Do I …
Understand that I have no need to be afraid of my future because God will instruct me and teach me in the way in which I should go (Ps. 32:8)?
Have the confidence that there is no good thing that God will withhold from me if I walk uprightly (Ps. 84:11)?
Trust that God will supply all my needs according to His riches and glory (Phil. 4:19)?
Ask in faith without doubting, realizing that the one who doubts is unstable (James 1:6-8)?
Have the confidence that the Lord will take care of my concerns and thank Him in advance for doing so (Ps. 138:8)?
Believe that God cares for me because I am His child and thank Him that I have no need to be anxious for tomorrow (Matt. 6:25-34)?
Thank my heavenly Father that He gives me peace that the world cannot give (John 14:27)?
Refuse to waver in unbelief but grow strong in faith, giving God the glory, and believe that what He has promised He is able to do (Rom. 4:20-21)?
Have confidence that if I ask for anything in God’s will, He will hear me (1 John 5:14-15)?
Trust in the Lord with my whole heart, and refuse to lean on my own understanding (Prov. 3:5-6)?
Believe that I will accomplish much if I have faith and do not doubt (Matt. 21:21)?
Focus on the reality that I have no reason to be anxious about what I shall eat, the clothes I need, or where I will live because God will provide all these things for me (Luke 12:22-34)?
Understand that it is impossible for me please God if I lack faith (Heb. 11:6)?
Have the confidence that His grace is sufficient for me and that His power is perfected in my weakness (2 Cor. 12:9)?
Let Him have all my worries and cares, for He is always thinking about me and monitoring everything that concerns me (1 Peter 5:7)?
The “Trust Quotient Interpretation” allows you to analyze your level of trust in your heavenly Father. I encourage you to meditate on the scriptures supporting each of the questions to strengthen your score so that it falls in the 60-54 level!
Trust Quotient Interpretation
60-54—A maturing, trusting relationship with my heavenly Father.
53-48—A commitment to learning to trust my heavenly Father.
47-42—An understanding of what constitutes a trusting relationship with my heavenly Father.
41-36—A minimal commitment to trusting my heavenly Father.
35-below—A lack of trust in my heavenly Father’s ability to provide for me.
Kelsey’s Korner assists you in increasing your Trust Quotient by exploring the question, where is the line between trusting God’s sovereignty vs. man’s agency?
KELSEY’S KORNER
I love to make lists. I love the mental clarity that writing out tasks affords, the feeling of accomplishment when I strike an item off the list, and, most importantly, the sense that everything is planned, prepared, and predictable.
Despite my desire for a planned, prepared, and predictable life, my husband and I recently made a huge decision outside of our comfort zone. I resigned from my job! This decision was made after months of prayer and based on our shared conviction that I should be home to help bring up our son in the “training and admonition of the Lord” (Eph. 6:4). Because of our current need for an additional income, I will have to find a job I can do from home. After several months of unsuccessful searching we could not wait any longer. We acted on faith and I resigned, trusting that the Lord would provide for us.
This immense act of faith has brought to surface a question—one that I am still wrestling with: where is the line between trusting God’s sovereignty vs. man’s agency? In other words, how much preparation should I do vs. trusting God to provide? Was I wrong to quit my job before having another job lined up, presuming that God would provide the perfect work-from-home job? Or is our faith/conviction driven decision correct?
As I wrestle with these confusing questions, these truths give me peace that, despite the uncertainty, we made the right choice:
God’s Word is clear about obedience to His commands:
The Bible is filled with imperatives, or commands, that provide cut and dry rules for us to follow—do not steal, do not murder, do not covet, etc (Ex. 20:2–17, Deut. 5:6–21). These rules are fairly easy to understand and follow. But more often, our lives are filled with gray areas. Is it ok to watch a pg-13 movie? When are shorts too short or tops too tight? These areas are not specified in Scripture and should be approached with a less ridged mindset. Our knowledge of Scripture, personal convictions, wise council, and even the culture around us play important roles in deciding how to act in these gray areas.
Jacob and I hold the conviction that it is best for me to stay home to care for our son. Although this is a gray area (God’s Word encourages mothers to stay home! Titus 2:3-5), we believe that the stewardship of our son’s eternal soul is perhaps the most sacred task we will receive from the hand of God. A task that we believe trumps all other areas, including personal careers/success and financial achievement. This desire to be faithful stewards is the driving factor of my decision to resign.
Faith is active, not passive:
As someone who loves order, I struggled immensely with the prospect of quitting my job without a financial replacement lined up. It feels irresponsible, or even lazy! My husband reminds me that acting in faith is not passive—it IS an action! James, in his letter, says, “But someone will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works” (James 2:18). Acting on our conviction to stay home with my son, despite not having yet found a job, is an announcement to the watching world and to our heavenly Father who sees all that we have faith—a faith that compels us to obedience and patient reliance on God.
God cares for His children:
Among the most comforting passages to me right now is Matthew 6:25-34. In this passage, Jesus reminds us that if God feeds even the sparrows and clothes the lilies, will he not care for His children’s daily needs, too? Instead of fretting over the details, Jesus encourages us to, “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (v. 33). When our goal is obedience, even if it appears our efforts may sabotage our daily provisions, we choose obedience and trust God with the rest.
Since I’ve been home, I’ve instituted a new discipline—reading my daily Bible readings aloud so my son can hear. Our first book together is Proverbs, and the Lord has used 16:9 to remind my list-making heart to trust in Him: “A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” Despite my efforts, the Lord has not yet provided a job. Day by day my son grows older, so we took a leap of faith. We followed our convictions, and as I continue to apply for work, we are trusting God to direct our steps.
THE EVERYDAY HOMEMAKER’S MONTHLY MEDITATION THOUGHT
God’s Word states, “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (Matt. 6:33)
Therefore, I may boldly say, “As I seek to follow God’s will for my life, I will receive the full care and protection of my heavenly Father.”
You might enjoy other of our trust-related Posts:
“Is Your Faith False or Bona Fide?”
“Is Faith Your Focus for 2021?”
“Are You Content in Your Test and Trials?”
“Are You Stressed or Blessed?”
“Is Your Focus for Fall Fear or Faith?”
Blessings on your day as you focus on making your house a home!