Tina Mann encourages us to trust God

Tina Mann

A problem occurs, maybe an issue we have in our own lives takes us by surprise and now it can't be ignored because it is effecting everything we do, what we think and how we behave towards ourselves, others and God. Or an incident has happened in our life that totally catches us off guard, shaking us to the core. What do we do?

We are feeling the impulse to do something! Maybe it's a physical impulse to do something practical to try and change the circumstances we find ourselves in. Maybe it's more of a spiritual thing for example more Bible reading, more praying, more concentrated times with Jesus. I confess I have done all the above when problems have come my way and all are seen as credible ways for us to try and get to the bottom of the problem to see what is to be done and what can be done. After all we can't just do nothing, can we?

'It is much easier to do something than to trust God' as Oswald Chambers puts it. 'Do I really believe that God will do in me what I cannot do?' What a humbling thought! Are we to do nothing apart from trust the Lord to work it out, to take action?

Let that sink in because so often we are quick with action. Let's remember it's Christ in us not us in us, that's our hope and glory (Col 1:27) It's His Spirit who causes real change as we trust Christ to do the impossible in us, shaping our character, working out an impossible situation for example. Yes we sometimes can be directed to do something specific, we have to take our responsibilities seriously however it's not a case of self improvement or of gaining more insight into why the problem has occurred so we can rescue/fix ourselves. We need to see how frail and in desperate need of a Saviour we are and acknowledge our total dependency on Him. We will then realise how much God wants us to stop trying to figure it all out and trust Him.

A flower cannot cause itself to grow by any means of its own. It is God who is at work tending, watering and nurturing. The flower is almost helpless in a way as it can't run off and take action. No it is planted and isn't going anywhere but is available for its designed purpose. So let us be rooted and available for what God and God alone is wanting to do in our lives. No more fixing ourselves, being our own saviours. Let's be available for God to do in us that which we cannot do for ourselves. The ultimate test of faith.