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Each day brings fresh possibilities and opportunities for us to trust God. As I think of what lies ahead today I’m reminded of a trust lesson God taught me long ago…
Our arms were braided across each other’s and our hands were locked tightly. As the young girl stood on the tall tree stump above us she looked over her shoulder and saw with her eyes that our formation was tight…that we were ready for her. She heard with her ears that we would catch her…that we would not let her get hurt. Yet the fear that screamed in her head told her not to do it. Not to fall backwards.
Her legs shook and lips quivered. Other campers had gone before her. She and her cabin mates had successfully caught each one. But this camper hesitated – allowing the looming possibilities of failure and pain to paralyze her from action. The risks just seemed too great.
She trembled.
We encouraged.
She cried.
We encouraged.
Then, finally, with determination in her heart, she took the plunge. She fell straight backwards onto the safety net of our arms. We bent low to the ground giving way to her fall and caught her with cheers of excitement.
She did it!
As her trembling legs regained their confidence, she stood tall and beamed from ear to ear – realizing that she had faced her fear. Joy was felt from heart to heart as each of us rejoiced with her. Mission accomplished.
Early in the day, we had trekked across the campgrounds to the “Trust Fall station” as a group of counselors and campers who didn’t have a shared experience among us, an unconnected strand of strangers. Now our wooded team-building time had come to an end and we left the trust fall station having bonded deeply as a group of new girlfriends prepared for a fresh journey of fun and adventure.
Each of us took turns at the trust fall station that day. We all faced a set of scary circumstances and were forced to work through our doubts, tremblings and fears. As a result, we learned valuable lessons and strengthened our relationships.
Since my days of being a camp counselor, I’ve faced many scary life trust falls: financial trials, relationship strains, relocations, sick loved ones, loss and difficult family matters. I’ve trembled and I’ve cried. I’ve been paralyzed by “what ifs” and “whys.” We all go through difficult seasons and trials; times when we want to see the invisible arms of the One who says He will catch us; times when we are afraid to fall into them.
Wherever you go and whatever you face, God is with you – yesterday, today and forever.He bids us to live by faith, not by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7). He wants us to trust Him. He catches us when we trust fall,when we live by faith. And to encourage us along the way, He spurs us on by sending a cloud of witnesses who testify of His faithfulness. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1).
Today, whether you identify with the shaky young camper on the trust fall stump or with the cabin mates who were filled with encouragement for another, God wants you to trust Him… right where you are. It might be scary. Tears might be shed. But God is faithful and can be trusted.
Like the Psalmist, let’s choose to say, “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?” (Psalm 56:3-4) When we trust fall from our struggles into the faithful arms of God, we are freed from the fears that paralyze us. Trust Him today, friend. I’m cheering for you.
Dear Lord,
You are good, loving and faithful – and You know exactly what I’m facing. Please take this burden from me. Help me to fall into a deeper place of trusting you. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE
What is God asking you to trust Him in or through right now? Spend a few moments praying about it. Then write about it in your journal or leave a comment on my blog about what God is calling you to trust Him with.
So much love,
GWEN
UPCOMING EVENTS
North Carolina (Greensboro) / Sept 8, 2018 / Women’s Conf / MORE INFO
Kentucky (Camp Calvary, Mackville) / Sept 21-22, 2018 / Retreat / MORE INFO
Michigan (Clarkson) / Oct 6, 2018 / Girlfriends in God / MORE INFO
Maryland (Sandy Cove CC) / Oct 19-21, 2018 / Girlfriends in God / MORE INFO
New York (Word of Life Conf Ctr) / Oct 26-28, 2018 / Women’s Conf / MORE INFO
New York (Word of Life Conf Ctr) / Nov 2-4, 2018 / Women’s Conf / MORE INFO
North Carolina (Gastonia) / Nov 6, 2018 / Mother-Daughter Banquet / MORE INFO
Louisiana (Bossier City) / Nov 29, 2018 / Christmas Soiree / MORE INFO
Comments 25
As I cleaned up my unread emails, I came across this one, unread, from last month. It was just what I needed for this very morning. Here I was, feeling sorry for myself, allowing depression to bog down my spirit. I am currently considered homeless. Weird to be homeless at 59. My husband left in December and I was kicked out of our home in late June. God has been faithfully taking very good care of me! Even so, I had allowed depression to sink in. Before the depression could drown me, God brought me to see your email. My spirits are lifted once again and I am encouraged! It brings tears to my eyes to see, once again, how much God cares about me! Thank you for allowing God to use you to bring me joy on this very day! Blessings to you! Praises to God!
This message talked to my heart because it tells exactly what was happening to me months ago. I made my decision to trust God precisely in times of adversity, pain, and fear. I can say that God is faithful. I have to face many other things and I know the key is trusting God.
The last couple of Girlfriends in God have hit home for me. Right now I am learning a tough lesson by way of a significant other. God has a way of waking people up. It is so hard right now so praying, trusting, praising and worshiping has been in rotation. I just pray that God sees me and truly sees what is in my heart. Keep the devotionals coming!
My last 2 1/2 years have been a huge trust fall with God. It’s been an amazing journey as He asked me to start a faith based nonprofit youth center here in my town of Anaconda, Montana. He has met every need of this center in amazing ways but this year is asking us to do the biggest trust fall of all. Our present location is too far from the homes of the youth in the schools and we were unable to find another Site to rent in a better area. However an historic church building came up for sale and we were able to purchase it for an unbelievable price! We will be moving in probably in September. The trust fall is that the overhead cost of this building will be probably 10 times what we’ve been paying currently and some updates that are needed to the Building will cost us around $70,000. Please pray that all of these financial needs will be met in miraculous ways as we are able to reach more and more youth in our new location. I spend about 80% of my time writing grants so please pray that God gives me the words to make these grants rise to the top and be successful. We are also doing a go fund me account and other local fundraising efforts. The youth also wrote letters to a couple of celebrities who have been known to assist with such endeavors and I pray that their faith will be strengthened by a positive response to those letters. Are Youth are baby Christians at best and struggling to maintain their faith on a day by day basis. Our community is very impoverished and has one of the highest suicide rates in the state. These youth deal with bullying in Horrendous ways single dayAnd suicide is never far from their minds. However they tell us that because of our program, YES Youth Empowerment Services and our staff, they are coming to realize that they matter to God and that He loves them so much and now they are believing in themselves more than they ever did and refusing to give into the spirit of suicide.
He is asking me to trust him with my healing from sexual abuse mental emotional physical from my mom which I just figured out after she just passed, my son who shot himself two days later and God brought him back my other son gone on meth and heroin my other son in Western state hospital for loosing his mind 1/1/2 years ago and the suicidal roller coaster and emotions and all the other abuse from foster homes and send afflictions as an adult trust is my issue as well as needing love n believing he loves me and learning the truth of who IAM n not what life has dictated so yes trust and faith that he who began a good work in me will finish it he is the thread I’m clinging too thanks for your girlfriend’s in God I found it 5 months ago and it is helping
My daughter is in Air Force boot camp. I can’t talk to her and it’s tough.
I thank you for this study today. I have been struggling with helping my son who has a traumatic brain injury from car accident. I know now I need to just put it in God’s hands. His healing and his future. Thank you.
Author
Oh, Debby! I’m so sorry to hear about the accident and injury to your son. Praying for both of you right now. God is all about strength and healing. You are in good hands.
Big Hugs,
GWEN
I woke up this morning facing some fears of what is ahead for the next week. Then I went to Instagram & saw your post about fear. It was just like God speaking right to me. And I just read this too. Thank you. I am thanking the Lord for knowing me & speaking to me right where I am this morning. God bless you.
Author
Love the way God works! Praying for you now, Elaina.
Gwen
Hi Gwen. Thank you for sharing this amazing verse from Psalm 53…But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. We all have our moments of fear and anxiety, but we can trust in a faithful and loving God to sustain us. I have read the comments left here today and they have touched my heart. I’m praying for each one of you. May God bless you and encourage your heart as you trust in Him!
My sons wife told him yesterday, the day their youngest of their 3 children turned 2 and a half years old, that she wanted a divorce. Through the troubled time of the last months my son has turned to the God with which he was raised. As I expressed my angry/hurt/sad inner tigermom last night, he brought me to tears asking me to pray for patience and grace. I trust our God has a plan and His will for this young family. It’s hard not to beg for our will when we’re broken hearted.
I have trusted him through my son’s death and through keeping my grandson from killing himself. But now people who I assumed were truth followers of Christ say some people are predestined to unbelief and he’ll. Where do I find a answer
As of May 15, 2018 I had a meeting with the Chaplin and Warden at the Logan Correctional Prison for Women in Lincoln, Illinois to start a Celebrate Recovery Inside! She has not responded to my email since I talked with them both! I know that God is faithful and I will trust Him because the Bible tells me so! Pray for me please!
I have a doctorate and sorely in need to end a staff position I have had for two years and just go back to being an Adjunct Professor (part-time professor in a couple of colleges) again in the Fall if a full-time faculty position does not come through.
He has told me not to worry but I have been through severe financial difficulties in the past because I just wanted to teach, write, and research.
Trust is hard for me.
I trusting God will help me in a difficult situations with family I;m just going to trust him more .
I am trusting God that he will keep my son safe while he is out there, alone, penniless, hungry and homeless.
Good morning Gwen, A daughter caring for her Mother has constraints,but I am assured God has made promises to us. HE promises He is with. Us always ! Daily care with some relief sometimes,has made it very hard to give me any sense that I can be me,also.There are glimpses,moments I get a feeling of free to e,and I cherish those moments..,,Mom needs me, I need Him……. SO appreciative Of GIG..
God is asking me to trust him with my future, now that I have retired from teaching. Teaching is all I’ve known (work wise) for the last 28 years and I am now in a season of “flux” as my newly retired self learns to adjust to life without that. Of course, I have all these ideas about what I should do but listening for God’s still small voice is difficult for this take charge gal. Father, calm my restless spirit so that I am able to clearly hear from You as You guide me in this new season of my life. I love You and praise Your Son’s strong name. Amen
I am learning to trust God through this season of unemployment. There are times I have no doubt he will get me through it but every once in a while, I feel a state of panic. I know by praying through it, God will get me through it.
Amen
Yes Liz, that is a very scary thing. My husbands factory closed down and we spent a year with him doing small jobs just to keep a float. An old couple at our church encouraged us to just keep going that God was leading us somewhere in our walk. My husband took a chance, and even though he was a few years “too old”, he was hired on as a corrections officer at a jail. He moved up to Sergeant a few years ago. He has been able to council others going through hard times. Yes when we thought we were being forgotten, God was gleaning our world to prepare us for what thing was coming that was even better.
Its too much to write but please pray for my daughter she is emotionally unstable and restoration between her sister.
Dear Gwen,
My daughter is going through a bad period at moment. She keeps failing her professional exams ans as she is sponsored by her employers she is very embarrased at having to tell them she keeps failing. She is very low in confidence and it affect me and the whole family to see her struggle. She is not disciplined. It is difficult to convince that maybe she is part of her own problems . She is repeating the same mistakes.
She is an adult. Should I just back off and let her grow from her mistakes?
It is putting such a strain on my family alongside everything else.
I dont know what to do ?
I knowthat the Lord has plans for each one of us but I wish I could hear from the Lord what I should do as her mother.
thanks for your advise
This is exactly what I needed to hear this morning as I’m dealing with trusting God to protect my marriage as I witness a young girl flirting with my husband and has been doing so for a while. He ensures me it is innocent but I can see the lion prowling around, looking for something to devour. I am praying God will bind satan away from our marriage and my husband, As me as well, that I can let go of my fear of what ‘could’ happen and trust God to protect us from it actually happening. Thank you for your wonderful, encouraging message. God bless you!
Susie watch the movie War Room and make a “wall” for your husband. And make sure you are being there for him and not giving him any reason to look at anyone else. Keep praying and listening to what God has for you!
Blessing on you!