As I was thinking about what to write today, I remembered an earlier post when I felt similar to now. I had a lot going on and was feeling stressed. We all have our outlets, things we go to when we’re feeling overwhelmed, stressed, anxious or sad. For me, I am trying to make it my relationship with God. For today, I wanted to reflect on what that means. Of course, it is many things. But why gravitate towards that instead of confiding in another human being, journaling, or going for a walk. Allow me to share.
Unlike many people I know and grew up with, I can’t say I ever strayed away from my faith. That’s not a boast, just a statement of fact. I never “fell away from the church” or questioned God’s existence. I say this because I think it’s the foundation for my relationship with God. We’ve been friends for a long time and we’ve been through a lot together! He’s been my support system, He’s always available, and I can trust Him. Due to humanity’s infallibility, this can’t be true for anyone else in my life. Yes, people like family and dear friends can be some of those things but they can’t be all of them all the time. God is the only one that can fill that role. He is reliable in every capacity and will be that way forever.
God is also my unwaivering encouragement. There are so many references to this in the Bible. Psalms are one of my most cherished because they are easy to turn into prayers. They can also be simple reminders of God’s love and trustworthiness. “When I thought, “My foot slips,” Your steadfast love, O LORD, helped me up. When the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul.” (Ps 94:18-19) It such a relief to be reminded to not have to worry or stress. But this is tough! Paradoxically, we feel better when we’re able to stress because I think it gives us a false and fleeting sense of control. Now, I’m struggling with this but I’m working on it; the release of control to release worry. No one enjoys worrying or stressing but it is our inclination in times of chaos. How nice would it be to confront those negative feelings with the words “Jesus, I trust in You.” We give up control but we also give up stress. Finally! No more worry.
It’s not that easy but we are offered an opportunity to further our relationship with God each and every day. That is one final piece of our connection. It is growing. This isn’t always comfortable or straightforward. Sometimes it seems like it’s not moving in a consistent direction. But that’s the crucial time to trust because we don’t understand. “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” (Is 55:8) We’re not meant to fully understand and that’s why trust is crucial. Something I’ve come to realize more and more lately; I have no reason NOT to trust God. There are many temptations to but not a solid reason. He has always been there and it is promised He always will be. He wants a relationship with me and wants to foster that relationship. How many other relationships are like that? There is no reason not to trust Him.
There are many descriptions for our relationship with God but those are some of mine. I encourage anyone to seek God and meditate on this to explore the deeper meanings of your relationship with Him.
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