Trust Requires Unanswered Questions

…Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV)

I’m a thinker by nature. I like to figure things out, and I like to know why things happen and how they got that way. However, years ago, this was driving me crazy. When I had a problem or saw someone else going through a hardship, I applied my mind to the situation and attempted to come up with an answer.

The truth is, there are things in life that we may never understand this side of Heaven. The Bible says, For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known (1 Corinthians 13:12 NIV).

There will come a day (in Heaven) when we will know everything. But for now, these situations require faith and trust. I have learned from personal experience that putting my trust in God means there will be some unanswered questions. That was a hard lesson for me because I naturally want to understand everything…to know what’s going on so I can feel like I’m in control.

It’s just human nature to try and figure things out. When we’re in the middle of a situation, we usually want to know “Why, God, why?” or “When, God, when?” We want to know now how everything is going to work out.

The truth is, things are going to happen that we simply don’t understand. And that’s okay—God doesn’t expect us to have everything figured out. We can trust that He knows and will take care of everything. He wants us to look to Him and say, “God, I have no idea why this happened or what I’m going to do, but I am trusting You.”

Proverbs 3:5-8 (NIV) says, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight...

There are tremendous benefits that come with trusting God. When we really trust Him and lean on Him, we enter His Rest (Hebrews 4:3). It’s a special kind of Rest that you can have even in the middle of difficult circumstances. Everything doesn’t have to be perfect and you don’t have to have all the answers, but you are trusting God to take care of you.

But when we fully lean on God and believe that He loves us and is in control, it brings us His Peace.

Today, I feel like a completely different person than I used to be. I’m not perfect by any means, but I have stopped trying to figure everything out when “life happens.” If God wants to show me something, He will. But my job is to trust Him…to say, “God, I don’t understand this, but I know You love me. I trust You, Lord.”

I know life isn’t easy. Sometimes there are tragic things that happen and we want to know why. But even in these times, God can give us His Peace that surpasses all understanding as we place our trust in Him (Philippians 4:7).

I want to encourage you to trust God completely in every area of your life. Remember that He is always on your side and He is fighting for you as you go through the challenges in your life. He loves you, and you can trust that He has your best interest at heart.

Prayer: “Lord, I lift up to You all my doubts and questions—You know what they are. Help me to fully put my trust in You. Fill my heart with a Peace that will allow me to move forward, knowing You are in control. Let me lean on You and not on my own insight. I know I can trust You with my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.”