Janis Heiser

I think it is accurate to say, we experience daily more untrustworthiness, lies, half-truths, name calling and broken promises in spite of all our knowledge, wealth and technology. It can be confusing and sometimes overwhelming. It is hard to decide who is telling the truth and who you can trust. Before we decide who to trust, it is important to have an accurate definition of trust.

Trust comes from the Latin root word “fid” which means “trust.” You will find “fid (trust)” in words like “confident and fidelity.” And I learned a new word, “perfidy” which means “to be disloyal or to be betrayed.” There are several definitions for trust and what mindset is used with it. The world’s definition of “trust” is a “firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability or strength of someone or something.”

For example, take your favorite chair. I see the chair; I know the chair was designed for me to sit in. So, I trust that when I sit in the chair, it will hold me. And hopefully, will be comfortable and not let me fall!

A second world-view of “trust” is “feeling safe even when you are vulnerable.” This is where trust can involve others. You trust people are telling the truth, will be honest with you and you can confide in them. There is an exercise often used for a group of people who are supposed to trust each other. You stand with you back to a group and trusting them, let go and fall backwards. You are trusting they will catch you!

We are actually trusting things and others constantly throughout the day. But there is a third definition of “trust” and that is the Biblical definition. Where you totally place your confidence only in God, which is based on the fact and belief that God is faithful. God knows you, loves you and what is best for you. Your main focus is on Him and His Word. Your life is God-focused, not self-focused.

We can be confident God does not change. We can always rely on Him. His love for us is forever. God has fidelity, He is dependable and He will not betray you. God does not lie, He is truthful. Today’s world has turned from God’s truth and tells you it is ok to have “my truth and you have your truth.”

Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me.” John 14:6

Faith and trust work together and can be used interchangeably. But there are differences.

Faith is your accepted beliefs, your mindset which in this case is spiritual. Trust in God develops from faith and knowledge in God because He and His promises are true.

Trust, on the other hand, increases over time. Trust is often earned. Such as you can love someone but, due to past situations, you do not trust them. Trust is built on faith. We can always trust God. And God trusts us. What did I say? Yes, God does trust us because He loves us. God trusted Adam and Eve when He placed them in the Garden of Eden.

However, they broke that trust when they disobeyed and sin entered. However, God still loved us so much that He gave us Jesus. God still trusts us by giving us the freedom to choose our salvation in Jesus. God trusts us to live like Jesus every day.

So, why is it so hard to trust God? I think it comes down to two main areas.

First, being pride. We do not want to let go. We want to keep control, have things our way… me, me, me.

Second, is fear especially of the unknown. One thing is for sure, you have to believe God and know God to trust God. And you know God through the Scriptures with prayer, worship and fellowship with other believers.

The Bible is full of times when people trusted God or did not and the consequences of their choices. In Exodus 14, we read of the Israelites fleeing Pharaoh and crossing the Red Sea.

God miraculously caused the waters to split so they can go across and the waters close behind them after they were all safe on the other side. I am sure some would have run across and others, like myself would have been amazed at the walls of water being held back. However, the main point is to have the trust in God it took to take those first steps and to keep on walking forward.

Jonah did not trust God to decide to offer salvation to the pagan town of Nineveh. In his running away, the “whale” swallows him and he decides to obey God and preach to Nineveh.

A classic example of trust is Peter getting out of the boat in Matthew 14:22-33. Seeing Jesus walking in the water, Peter trusts Jesus’ invitation to come to Him on the water. Miraculously, Peter walks on the water. However, his focus changes from Jesus to the storm and He starts to sink. His belief and trust turn to doubt in his distraction of the storm.

Too much compromise with the world distracts us and can weaken our trust in God. How can we build trust in God with all of the distractions we face daily?

Some very well-known verses come to mind in Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

To truly trust God, we must believe in Him, rely on Him completely with our whole heart, not just partly or only when times are good. Do not rely on your own view or understanding alone.

When we trust God, you may still have feelings or be nervous. That’s OK. Trusting is not always easy and can be hard and even painful. The point is to trust God and His timing. God promises if we do this, he will guide us and we will experience His peace.

There are two verses on trust which have great impact for me and I hope for you as well. These verses can help in times of distrust, doubt and distraction.

The first is Isaiah 41:10 “So do to fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” When God is your God by giving your life to Jesus, and trusting Him, God promises that you do not have to fear because He is always with you. He is your strength.

The second verse is Jeremiah 17:7-8 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is on him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

This is God’s peace. No matter what goes on in the world and your life you can be confident God always loves you. He is always with you. You can always trust Him and His Word.

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Finding Faith is written by area pastors. This week’s column comes from Pastor Janis Heiser who pastors a Home Church online and in Lock Haven.