Jeremiah 17:7-8, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in 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.”
It’s been a month of trust and surrender. Since dedicating my time to finishing my debut novel, I have faced numerous tests and trials that have attempted to pull me away from what I know the Lord has called me to do. Doubt is a treacherous seed, and once it is planted in the mind, it can deplete all motivation and productivity. Unfortunately, I allowed this seed to grow too much and paid the price until the Lord used my accountability partner to redirect my focus back to Him.
Lord, When Will I See Fruit?
Proverbs 16 tells us that “in their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps” (verse 9). Yet, how often do we ignore this truth and take the reins from God, convinced we can do it without Him? When things are going well, we often tap on His reassuring hands and say, “It’s okay, I’ve got it from here.” And when things are falling apart, we shake our fists and accuse Him of neglect, stating, “You clearly don’t care about what I’m going through, so let me figure this out on my own.” In both cases, I can picture God sighing at our foolery but gently replying, “If that’s what you want, go ahead; I’ll be here when you’re ready to trust Me again.”
Choosing to live by faith rather than following the “conventional norms” can often feel like swimming against the current. While everyone else seems to be excelling in their work and relationships, reaping the fruit of their labor, we feel caught in a near-constant battle of the mind and spirit. That’s why we have to be aware of comparison’s devious plan to divert us from God’s path, because once it enters the fray, focusing on our mission becomes almost impossible when all we can see is what we lack. Before we know it, our excitement and faith turn into doubt and discouragement as we ask God: “Why are You giving others the things I’m praying for while I’m over here surviving by the skin of my teeth? Have I not given You my life? What makes them more favored than I?”
If we’re not careful, these questions will harden into bitterness, sending us falling like Alice into a downward spiral with no rope or ladder to rescue us.
Escaping the Darkness
We’ve all been there. Trapped in the pit of despair where the meanest things we’ve heard, the negative remarks we’ve thought, and the horrific events we’ve experienced are tucked away, waiting to devour us when we’re weak. If we’re not adorned in our spiritual armor, the attack is crippling, paralyzing our physical bodies and minds until we can’t pull ourselves out of bed and are praying we fade into oblivion. Essentially, we lock ourselves in a prison of our own making, with doubt, jealousy, fear, anxiety, self-pity, anger, and sadness taking shifts to guard the exit so escape appears inconceivable.
Darkness surrounds us, and God couldn’t feel further away. Yet, if we look closely, we’ll see that He’s there with us, waiting for us to call on His name. Psalm 139:7-12 says it plainly, “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?… even the darkness will not be dark to you…”
So, how do we embrace the Father’s light and pick ourselves out of the dark pit? It all begins with our minds.
In Romans 12:2, we read that we should not “conform to the patterns of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This means when the lies, comparisons, and negativity fill our thoughts, we don’t have to believe them or give them the power to shake us. Doubt, fear, anxiety, and other negative emotions are all part of life, but they don’t have to stop us from achieving the work God has conscripted us to do. When we’re rooted in the Word, we have the authority to stand on its promises and oppose Satan’s lies. Lasting joy, peace, and happiness are not attached to our circumstances or emotions, but to the truth of God’s faithfulness. No matter what trials and hardships come our way, when we take dominion over our thoughts in Yeshua’s name, the wind and rain cannot destroy us (Matthew 7:24-27).
God’s Plan in the Waiting
Once we recognize that we are not trapped in the pit of despair, we will see God’s plans unfold — just like they did for Joseph.
I can’t imagine what it must’ve been like for Joseph to go from being the most favored in his father’s home to being sold into slavery, then rising to the top of his master’s household, only to fall to the very bottom once more. I have no doubt Joseph had days when he asked God why he was experiencing so much disappointment and hardship. Nevertheless, through it all, Joseph never stopped honoring God and serving others. Even in prison, he made the most of his time, and his obedience and trust in the Lord were rewarded.
It might feel like God is taking a while to answer our prayers, but I promise He’s not forgotten us. 2 Peter 3:9-10 reminds us that “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Like Joseph, we can trust God to lead the way and open the doors in His perfect timing. Until then, we must keep our eyes focused on Him, humble ourselves through repentance, and stand on the Word so when attacks or obstacles come our way, our trust in God’s plans and purposes will not falter — even when it seems like we can’t fall any lower.
I love how John Newton and John Wesley encouraged William Wilberforce when he was doubting his position within British Parliament. Their words are great reminders that even though we don’t see the whole picture, God has His hand over everything; all we must do is remain faithful and obedient:
“Because I believe you are the Lord’s servant and are in the post which he has assigned you; and though it appears to me more arduous, and requiring more self-denial than my own, I know that He who called you to it, can afford you strength according to your day, and I trust He will, for He is faithful to his promise.” ~ John Newton to William Wilberforce
“Unless God has raised you up for this very thing, you will be worn out by the opposition of men and devils. But if God be for you, who can be against you? Are all of them together stronger than God? O be not weary of well doing!” ~ John Wesley to Wilberforce
Lord, I Trust You
Psalms 40:1-3 , “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.”
When I finally refocused my mind and let God’s light shine through the darkness I’d shrouded myself in, all doubt and fear faded. With the exit in sight, I grasped God’s outstretched hand and felt Him lift me out of the pit. Once I was back on solid ground, I repented for my faithlessness and declared, “Lord, I trust you. Lead and guide me because Your ways are better. I only want what YOU have for me. So, take the reins; I give you control.”
THREE days later, the Lord answered my prayers for work and friendship!! I couldn’t believe it! I called my accountability partner with the praise report and haven’t stopped smiling at the pure joy of God’s faithfulness. This experience just goes to show that when we take a step back and give God the space to move, He delivers! Even if we have faith as small as a mustard seed, our God can move mountains!! HALLELUJAH!
I’ll be the first to admit that there are still days when I beat myself up for not getting enough done or feeling behind everyone else. However, after last month’s masterclass in trusting the Lord, I choose to lean on the Word, so when I start to spiral, I can ground myself back on the Rock and embrace God’s plans over my own. His timing is perfect; we can do nothing without Him. Once we accept this revelation, we don’t have to burden ourselves with worry over the future, because He’s already made it abundantly clear that He’s got it under control.
I pray my testimony encourages you to look toward Yeshua, our Savior and King. This world is getting darker by the day, but that doesn’t mean His light can’t shine through us to bring change and revival. As we approach the Fall Feasts, I implore you to cultivate your prayer life and trust in the Lord. It’s our human instinct to hold onto things possessively, but if I’ve learned anything this last month, it’s that everything belongs to the Father — even our very breath — so let’s use this limited time on earth to glorify His name and embody the fruit of His Spirit through our character, conduct, and trust in the One who created all things!
Psalm 1:1-3, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.”
