When I Distrust

"I am the Lord, and there is no other; Besides Me there is no God. I will gird you, though you have not known Me; That men may know from the rising to the setting of the sun That there is no one besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other, The One forming light and creating darkness, Causing well-being and creating calamity; I am the Lord who does all these." -Isaiah 45:5-7

From the moment I learned what it meant that God was sovereign, I was humbled.  There was something so amazing about that Truth, something so humbling, and something that brought me so much peace.  Although even now I am still far from comprehending what that really means, I am so grateful for its reality.  Living day in and day out in an uncertain world knowing that God is sovereign is probably one of the most precious truths I meditate upon.  


But, even though I know in my mind that God IS sovereign over ALL things, I fail to exhibit the faith to walk knowing that each and every day.  The foolishness of my sinful heart in doubting the goodness of God is what leads me to distrusting His sovereignty.  It isn't so much that I don't know or believe that He is in control, or sovereign, because believe me, I do.  It is rather the fact that I began to worry, fear, or wonder if His sovereign plan is good or best.  Of course I would never say that, but my behavior at times speaks for itself; my worried heart, my anxious thoughts.  So what to do?  How do I battle this in my own life?  Here are three simple things that I do often:


(1) Recognize and Repent- I know myself better than anyone, other than God, and I am the first to know when my heart is veering off path.  I know when worry is overtaking me and my distrust in God's sovereign goodness is occurring. In those moments, I stop and recognize my weakness, my sin, and ask the Lord for forgiveness.  I remember the cross and the price Christ paid for my sin of worry, fear, and doubt, and that His blood covers me in full.  


(2) Read and Recite- Then I get in the Word, and meditate upon the Truths of who my God is and His sovereign faithfulness in all of Scripture.  I will recall Scripture I have hidden in my heart like Isaiah 26:3, Psalm 46:10, Proverbs 3:5-6, and Philippians 4:6-7.  In those moments my heart is refreshed.


(3) Remember and Refocus- Then I come to the Lord in prayer, remembering who He is, thanking Him for who He is, and refocusing my heart on that.  I ask for His grace and strength to enable me to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel, and honoring to Him.  I recognize that it is only by His power and grace that I can trust Him, and exhibit the faith I am called to have.  


Through these simple graces I am put back on track, steadfastly trusting in our sovereign and good God.  For Him, I am so thankful.  Be encouraged to do the same whenever you doubt, fear, worry, or distrust.  He is FAITHFUL to enable, remind, and strengthen you!