“And for those who know your name will put their trust in you; for you, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” Psalm 9:10

Have you ever just known something? The answer might be hard to explain, but you know it down to your core. Perhaps it has been happening over time, this answer gaining certainty. The answer to this one question – “Are you going to trust God or not?” In light of what is happening around us, we need an answer if we are going to have peace. There are two ways we can go here, possibly three. We can go all in and say, “Yes, Lord, I trust you.”  We can dive into scripture, pray often and let worship music play. We can remind ourselves of the many times that God has been faithful. He may not have given us the outcome we want, but a little bit out, we see His faithfulness and trust Him. We trust His love for us. Another option is we could cross our arms and say “No, I will not trust Him and I can figure this out.” Then the other possibility makes for a tug-of-war in your heart. You can trust Him with a few things, but not all things. To trust in all things is a bit too risky, one could argue.

How is your response working? Do you sleep at night? Do you find your heart pounding and your stress level rising? Do you respond unkindly to those you love? Sadly, I have walked through not trusting wholeheartedly and I remember how I felt and responded. The unknown was scary and everything seemed unstable. Just when things looked like they were looking up, circumstances would only get worse. Up and down I went. When I would be reading and praying, there would be peace. Then news would come and the shaking in my heart would start. Maybe that is why I feel such empathy for what our world is experiencing. Maybe that is why I fight now to keep truth front and center. This is why I want everyone to believe me when I say He is worthy of our trust. Remember the cross and the empty tomb?

I wish there were a way to look people, feeling this shaking, in the eye and tell them with absolute certainty to trust Him and you will not regret it. I could tell them tons of stories and share scripture. I could take their prayer concerns to the Lord on their behalf. I could hand them my Bible and let them pour over the pages that are marked full of dates and explain why that particular passage was meaningful. I actually had to start studying in a new Bible because some of the dates would hit tender spots and so much margin space was taken up. I needed clean margins and to see scripture fresh. Another testimony would be to open up journal after journal and read at the bottom of the pages recorded answers to prayers and praises. It has been quite a journey and I know there will be more. However, I pray I will be more prepared when the valleys come again. In the meantime, I will keep encouraging everyone the Lord brings in my path to not just know His name, but to truly seek Him and watch as trust comes. It is the only way through the valley, friend. If you need someone to help walk you out, just let me know. It would be a privilege to walk alongside you.

”Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you!’ Then he said to Thomas, ‘Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” John 20:26-27

*I took this picture at our families favorite restaurant. A simple heart on the curb, that served as a reminder of His ever present love for me no matter what.