Based on last week’s post, I had a choice. I could dwell on how stuck it seemed we were at times — and believe me, there were plenty of moments when Carmen and I felt like nothing was moving forward. We’d take one step, and it felt like two would slide back. Or… I could trust God. Let’s take a look at what trust really looks like.
What Is Trust
Trust (Noun):
- 1a : assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something
- 1b: in which confidence is placed
Trust (Verb):
- 1a: to rely on the truthfulness or accuracy of
- 1b: to place confidence in; rely on
- 1c: to hope or expect confidently
I Choose Trust – Or Do I?
I could trust that even when it looked like we were standing still, He was still working — ahead of us, around us, and sometimes despite us. And I could trust that the delays weren’t dead ends, and that the waiting wasn’t wasted.
When I look back now, I can see that the “stuck” seasons were actually the “setup” seasons — the times when God was doing things we couldn’t yet see, building foundations for what would come next.
Trust isn’t passive. It’s not sitting around hoping something changes. It’s choosing, every day, to believe that God knows what He’s doing — even when I don’t.
No Trust = Stuck
If I am not trusting, I can’t move forward in life. It is because I am stuck dwelling on what “could’a, would’a, should’a” been and spiraled myself into oblivion!
We get stuck by focusing on what happened to us. We let the circumstances or the ‘events’ of our lives determine the outcome. This takes me back to the R-Factor. Instead of letting the events of our lives determine the outcome and determine who we become, we must understand the R-Factor.
The R-Factor gains traction when our trust in God grows.
The R-Factor is when we respond to the events according to God’s word. Instead of Reacting (knee-jerk actions), we Respond with reflection on and from God’s word. This takes time (continually being in God’s word) and practice (applying it to all sorts of events – trials, temptations, and circumstances in our lives).
A Commodity
Trust is a commodity, and not just in business but in everything.
Trust is a business commodity because it directly impacts performance, profitability, and resilience, acting as the “currency” of business that enables relationships, innovation, and a competitive edge. It is built on consistent actions, reliability, and integrity, making it a valuable, though intangible, asset that can be earned and strengthened over time.
And trust is also vital in relationships and within family. It is earned and spent through actions, and its presence is essential for the health and longevity of the bond. Like a commodity, it can be fragile and easily broken, but when consistently demonstrated through honesty and reliability, it strengthens emotional bonds and creates a sense of safety. This “investment” allows individuals to be vulnerable, authentic, and emotionally close, while its “depletion” leads to conflict and insecurity.
When Truth is Present & When Truth is Absent
When Trust is:
- Present: Emotional safety and security
- Absent: Negativity, conflict, and insecurity
- Present: Authenticity and vulnerability
- Absent: Hesitation to be vulnerable; small lies
- Present: Open and honest communication
- Absent: Second-guessing and monitoring actions
- Present: Stronger emotional bonds
- Absent: Fraying connections and breakdown of communication
- Present: Relationships thrive and grow
- Absent: Relationships are strained and may fail
Trust In Action
Trust is where faith stops being theoretical and begins to become real. That’s the moment when you stop just agreeing with God in conversation and start walking in His direction — even when you can’t see how it’s all going to work out.
It’s choosing to take the next step, even when the path isn’t fully visible. It’s releasing your grip on what feels safe so you can grab hold of what God is calling you toward.
I’ve learned that trusting God isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about having enough faith to move forward without them.
Liking listens.
Trusting follows.
Challenge of the Week
Ask yourself: Where have I been listening to God but not yet following? Then, take one intentional action that puts that trust into motion — forgive someone, reach out to a person God keeps putting on your heart, or take the next step in something He’s been calling you to do. Trust in Jesus, So Be It.
Scriptural References for this post:
- Proverbs 3:5-6 MSG
- Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.
- Philippians 1:6 NIV
- being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
- Psalm 119:105 NIV
- Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.
- Romans 8:28 AMP
- And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose.
- Micah 6:8a NIV
- …walk humbly with your God.
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