If you want to walk on water, you have to get out of the boat.
I want to ask you a question. Really think before you answer, Do you trust God? I'm guessing your response was "Yes! Of course I trust Him. I surrender all." But I want to challenge you to consider if you truly, fully trust Him or if like me - if I'm honest - admit that I haven't been fully trusting Him in EVERY area of my life.
My heart is committed to surrendering all and like you, I really genuinely try. But I have disappointed God because there are times I have knowingly ignored Him, disobeying His Word and the Spirit's leading.
It's one thing to disobey Him when you don't know any better, but I shutter to think how much more disappointed He is when those of us who know Him don't trust Him enough to obey Him.
“Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt?” — Matthew 14:31
Most of the time when I hear people discuss Matthew 14:22-36, they use it to illuminate our understanding of faith. We're all familiar with verse 31, but I'm going to ask you again....
Do you trust God?
Faith and trust are related words. But let’s focused on trust for a moment, because it can be used as a verb. Both faith and trust can be nouns. But only trust can also be used as a verb. When a word is used as a verb, it means there is a deliberate action involved. If you have faith then you can choose to trust. Faith is something you have. Trust is something you do.
Do you trust God?
Not just with providing food and shelter. Do you trust Him enough to give away your lunch to someone else?
Not just to give you a job, but also to give up one if He tells you to?
Not just to send you a husband, but to be content if He doesn't?
Not just to shield you from seeing or experiencing harmful or dangerous situations in real life, but also when He tells you not to watch tv shows that glorify violence.
Not only to provide money so you can go shopping, but also when He tells you not to go shopping?
Do you trust God?
If none of your dreams come to fruition.
Do you trust God?
I'm guessing that if you're like me, you have faith, but you don't always fully trust God with EVERY aspect of your life.
That's why we worry over things that God has under control.
That's why we still buy those shoes with a credit card because we "need them" - even when we can feel the Spirit whispering "no."
I'm talking to myself as much as I'm talking to you. So I wanna ask us another question....
What blessings or opportunities have we missed out on because we didn't trust God enough to get out of the boat?
Has there been a career or job opportunity that you didn't take even though God opened all the doors for you?
Instead of being content with what you have, have you been trying to "fix" a situation to get what you want?
Have you been offered the opportunity to experience something new - but you declined because you were scared or it was just outside your comfort zone?
For my single loved+blessed ladies, was there a man He prepared for you, that you rejected or didn't even give a chance because he wasn't "tall enough", "rich enough" or "your type"?
Although it may seem like I'm pointing the finger or trying to drudge up old regrets, I'm not. What I am trying to do is help you reflect on the past so you can be honest with yourself and God and TRUST HIM completely moving forward.
If I'm honest with you, I have faith, but I haven't always trusted God. If I did, I would have made a lot of different choices in my life.
Recently, I've been very focused on choosing to trust God in more aspects of my life. From little things like trusting that I don't need to buy that pair of shoes to big things like investing every ounce of time, energy and money I can into this ministry of encouragement, to give Him glory, regardless of if it is a financial success.
So I want to leave you with this simple thought.
God doesn't want you to miss out on any of the blessings He has for you. But in order to receive them, you have to trust Him enough to take action - to try, to be open to something new, something old, something different.
You have to get out of the boat like Peter, BUT, you have to KEEP WALKING.
No giving up. Only moving forward. Continually reaching for God's hand. And asking yourself with every choice you make.
Am I trusting God?
Jamila is the founder of loved+blessed. On her personal mission to leave a legacy of encouragement, she blogs about her own life lessons with the hope that it will bring joy into others’ lives and help them find the courage to keep walking in faith knowing that all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord. Read her testimony of how God turned her misery into ministry.
Comments
Jay said:
Such a wonderful testimony! Thank you, trusting the most high requires stepping away from personal desires and allowing his will to be done.
Lyanne said:
Love it! Amen!!!!
Elaine said:
Thank you, Jamila….you have given me much to think about. I am confused about every aspect of my life and my trust level is at an all time low,
Shirley Bates said:
HI JAMILA ,
WONDERFUL TO HEAR FROM YOU. WHAT A BLESSING TO START MY DAY ON A POSITIVE NOTE.
Helena said:
God’s timing is perfect. It’s midnight and I have just got up from bed due to worrying about a upcoming event in my home. Thank you for the encouragement to trust that He has it undercontrol.