Trust: A Necessity

I've been having an interesting time navigating friendships and relationships, generally. It seems like people that I've put time, care and trust into have decided that reciprocation is simply a suggestion. It bothered me quite a lot initially as anger festered in my heart towards them and towards God; "How could they be so inconsiderate?", "There's so much that I've wasted on them!" There were so many questions that I badgered the Lord with for weeks, on end. My judgement and reasoning were smothered by intense emotion. Then one day, I took the opportunity to be still. I stopped brooding over my own confusion and hurt and allowed the Holy Spirit fill in the gaps with His presence. And as I've let Him take over I'm beginning to see that it is preparation -- a season of isolation to ready my heart, mind, and spirit to properly fellowship with the Lord. There were too many distractions; too many things that hindered my focus. Without knowing, I had allowed myself find more comfort in people than in the presence of my Father. But, people are fickle and they change. I just had to learn that the hard way, apparently.

I'm actively learning to seek solitude and fellowship with the Lord first because in Him is sustenance. He isn't absent, nor is He fickle, but I hadn't given Him my trust and therefore, wasn't willing to hear His heart on the matter. But, one thing that I'm learning about the Lord is that He always has a response. It doesn't always come in the form of a grand gesture or large encounter for Him to be speaking to you. He speaks through the calm, the quiet, the whispering -- through ideas, thoughts, people. His "silence" is even a response; it reaffirms that you still have faith that He's working on your behalf. Yes, there are many times to war in prayer and exercise your faith through the grand, but there are also many times He calls for you to exercise your faith in stillness and trust (Exod 14:14, Ps 46:10).

I'm also learning to be more intentional about my relationships -- pay attention, keep Christ central, express love yet also, hold each other accountable. Someone I know is actively teaching me its importance and they don't even know it. Their intentionality in our relationship showed me what it feels like to have someone that is fully present in their love and care. (Check her out: @wateredseed) They've showed me that your circle matters. The story of the paralytic man is proof. It was his friends that ushered him. When they saw how overwhelming the crowd was, that could have been an excuse to leave. But, it was because of the faith of his friends that Jesus healed him -- restoration as a result of communal faith (Mar 2:2-12). Surround yourself with people that will use their faith as an intercessor on your behalf. 

If you are going to take anything from what I say, know that there are seasons where the Lord needs all of you, and He's willing to remind you of that if you lose focus along the way. Know that He is at work in the things that concern you. He has not left, nor forsaken and He can and will restore the broken, heal the bruised.

This week, be more intentional about your relationships and allow them to be ushered by the Holy Spirit. Lastly, remember to trust Him. Irrespective of how a situation looks, know that all things are working together for your good (Rom 8:28). 

Have a blessed week and take care! 

xoxo

I.A.J