Absolute Trust
IT TAKES ABSOLUTE TRUST TO WALK IN THE DARK. When we listen to a bully, we doubt in the darkness what God told us in the light. A few months ago, the lights went out for me, and I set aside a large project over which I had prayed and worked on for years. I did so, thinking it more Christian to keep the peace. However, a significant difference exists between a peacekeeper and a peacemaker.
A peacemaker is willing to resolve both outer and inner turmoil to establish peace with others and themselves. A peacekeeper, on the other hand, desires to maintain peace by avoiding conflict. They typically give in to the tension or steer clear of disagreement to keep others happy.
My desire to keep the peace led me to lay aside the passion God gave me to complete this project. Surely, this relationship was more important than my project, so I thought that giving it up pleased God. I felt a measure of peace because I avoided conflict. Yet, in Ephesians 4, Paul tells us to walk worthy of the calling with which Christ called us. Christ calls me to authentically share my life as it intersects with the truth of God’s Word.
Paul goes on to tell us to follow our calling with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace (Eph 4:1-3). However, Romans 12:21 says, As much as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.
As I entertained self-doubts, I also thought about all those months and years of trusting God to direct this project. What about all my prayers for guidance and direction? Jesus says in John 10:27, My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. I needed to return to faith and believe that I really did hear from my Shepherd and trust Him again for His love, leadership, and guidance.
Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean to your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths. Could it be that I leaned to my own understanding to let this project go? If so, how could God direct my path?
The Psalmist says, The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom then shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? (Psa 27:1). As I asked God to shine His light of understanding upon my situation, He gave me the wisdom to continue to follow Him.
The enemy of our souls often uses bullies to silence and paralyze us through fear. A bully is someone who is overly critical, domineering, or authoritative, or who is physically or psychologically abusive. In my case, the enemy didn’t want me to share what God has done and is doing in my life, so he used others to criticize my project and bring confusion about what God wanted me to do or say. I stumbled in that darkness for a time, tossed to and fro like waves of the sea. James tells us a double-minded person will not receive anything from the Lord.
For God did not give us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2Ti 1:7). When I decided to trust God with absolute trust for what He’s been telling me all along, the lights came back on, and the devil fled. John says the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome the light. When we focus on God’s love and faithfulness instead of on a bully’s words and actions, we walk in freedom and clearly see what He wants us to do and say. When I walked by faith into His light, His love overwhelmed me.
Right after Hebrews lists a string of biblical heroes of faith, it says, 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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith (Heb 12:1-2a).
What bullies want to intimidate, overpower, and shut you up? What hinders and entangles you from running the race to which God called you? I pray God blesses your way with His love and His light as you trust Him with absolute trust. May He keep your mind clear, and may His Word be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path (Ps 119:105).
7 COMMENTS
Thank you for such a great piece. It made me think that the bullies in my own life have been myths, ideas, histories, and even parts of my own self domineering me with authoritarian voices of disapproval if I dare speak truth. For me, walking into the light can also make me squint and shade my eyes until I adjust to the brightness. Sudden light blinds, but Jesus heals just that. Sometimes though, I still see men walking only as trees:
And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town (bullies got to live somewhere);
and when he had spit in his eyes, and put put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw what he
ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees walking. After that he put his hands again upon
his eyes, and made him look up; and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. I find for every bully in my life, and there are many, it may take more than once to walk into the Light. I observe that “he” was restored,” his own personhood was restored before his sight was. Thanks again. I’ve got to go and work on my project!
Thank you, Dan. I’m especially thankful that you were able to relate it to your own life experience. I pray that everyone who reads it will be able to relate to it and come through to better understand the value of absolute trust in the God who cares deeply for them. Love you!!
Just love it that you are braving the bullies with the Light of the Lord and of truth. Lov eyou dearly.
Carolyn
Thanks MarJean for verbalizing what many of us experience but are to timid to speak. Your words and The Word have encouraged me to trust God completely and not be intimidated by the strong words and opinions of others.
Thank you MarJean for verbalizing what some of us are too timid to speak. I was encouraged by your words and The Word to trust God completely and not be so concerned about the loud voices and strong opinions that often intimidate me.
Jeannie, that Romans 12:21 scripture, “As much as it depends on you, be at peace with all men,” has been meaningful to me in conflict as well. When I believe I have done what God called me to do to try for reconciliation and it’s not forthcoming, I’ve had to release the situation and the relationship to God, asking him to speak to me if there is further work I need to do. I’m so glad the challenge is “as much as it depends on you.” You have done that and I pray healing will come at some point — but at this point you have given it to the Father and followed him in obedience. I love you!
Thank you, dear Carol, for your good words! God is gracing me to love from my heart, even when I cannot do it in word or deed without being trampled and torn. He also gave me a deeper understanding and compassion for those who suffer in their own prisons of bitterness and unforgiveness. Outside of God’s amazing grace, there go I. Yet, I bow before Him and ask Him to release us from every speck of spite and unforgiveness, and deliver us all from the evil that seeks to destroy us and our relationship with God and others. I rejoice that “The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.” 1John 3:8). I love you, too!!
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