3 Convicting Reasons Why We Don’t Trust God

Some delightful fall weather has arrived here in coastal South Carolina! Our mornings are actually quite chilly, but it warms up nicely during the day. I celebrated with a cup of hot apple cider on Sunday night and chili is on the menu for tonight!

Each morning as part of my devotions I like to read a small portion of a spiritual book. I’m currently on my second time through A.W. Tozer’s The Knowledge of the Holy. My husband actually recommended this book and it’s so good.

Today I wanted to share three short sections from the chapter on the wisdom of God. I’ve really been thinking about these statements this week.

“To believe actively that our Heavenly Father constantly spreads around us providential circumstances that work for our present good and our everlasting well-being brings to the soul a veritable benediction. Most of us go through life praying a little, planning a little, jockeying for position, hoping but never being quite certain of anything, and always secretly afraid that we will miss the way. This is a tragic waste of truth and never gives rest to the heart.“

Sadly I saw myself in that description! But I don’t want to be that way. I want true rest in my soul. To have that, I need to trust that God in His wisdom is always working for my good, even when I don’t see or understand it.

The next paragraph continues with a similar theme.

“Our insistence upon seeing ahead is natural enough, but it is a real hindrance to our spiritual progress. God has charged himself with full responsibility for our eternal happiness and stands ready to take over the management of our lives the moment we turn in faith to Him.“

God wants us to trust Him with our lives, to wait on Him, to resist the urge to forge ahead in our own wisdom.

We’re likely all familiar with Hebrews 11:6.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him [God]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

We must have faith if we’re going to please God. It begins with the faith we demonstrate when we trust Jesus as our Savior. Yet we should continue to grow in our faith as we walk with Him daily. Can’t the God who has saved our soul for all eternity guide us through our life down here by His wisdom and for our best?

The chapter ends with this question.

“With the goodness of God to desire our highest welfare, the wisdom of God to plan it, and the power of God to achieve it, what do we lack?“

The obvious answer to that question is nothing. We lack nothing when we trust God to guide our lives according to His plan.

So with all that being said, why do we fail to trust God? Here are three reasons, though there could certainly be more.

1. We don’t fully believe that He is good.

Of course, I’m going to say with my mouth and in my head that I believe God is good. But do I know it in my heart? Is it evidenced by the way I give over every situation to Him with confidence and willingly accept whatever the outcome?

2. We think we know better than God how our lives should go.

Whether it’s deciding which direction we should take or being impatient with God’s timing, we’re often tempted to take matters into our own hands. As we chase our own ambitions or fail to wait on God, we show our lack of trust.

3. We question whether or not God can really live up to His promises.

Again, we wouldn’t verbalize this doubt, but we show it by the way we act. While we know God is faithful and we read promises in His Word, we make our own backup plans or escape routes just in case He doesn’t come through for us.

It convicts me to read these and consider in what areas of my life I’m not trusting God. I need His Holy Spirit living in me to grow my faith. I need to say with the father who brought his demon-possessed child to Jesus, “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” [Mark 9:23]

Related posts:

• Trusting His Grace When I Can’t See His Face
• What Ruth Teaches Me About Trusting God
• On Trusting God’s Purpose When I Just Want an Easier Life