Embracing Trust by Joanna WeaverSample

Relaxing Into God’s Love

When my youngest son was five years old, he had to have his tonsils and adenoids out due to respiratory problems. The doctor warned me that post-op might be a little rocky, but I wasn’t prepared for Josh’s reaction coming out of the anesthesia.

“Mommy, mommy!” my normally even-keeled boy screamed as he woke up in the recovery room. Eyes wide open, he frantically clawed the air in an attempt to find me.

“I’m right here, honey . . . ,” I tried to reassure him as I took him in my arms. “Mommy’s right here.”

But he pushed away from me and tried to reach for something beyond. He continued to call my name, unaware I was standing before him. That I was waiting to comfort him if he’d only relax into my love.

I wonder how many times we do that to God. “Where are you, Lord?” we cry. “Don’t you see my pain? Don’t you hear my fear?”

I’m right here, my child, He whispers to our troubled hearts as He attempts to take us in His arms. I’ve been with you the whole time.

Perhaps you’re going through a challenging time. Perhaps, like Josh, you’re frantically searching for God. It’s been a long time since you felt the Father’s love.

I have good news for you, my friend. Jesus is with you—right there in the middle of your circumstance. He loves you and wants to show Himself powerfully. He wants to open your eyes to His presence and help you shake off the anesthesia of doubt, proving Himself faithful to the promise He declared through the prophet Jeremiah:

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you (Jeremiah 29:13–14).

Rather than groping and grasping, trying to live life on your own, reach out and receive the love that Jesus offers. As you relax into His love, you’ll find everything you need—strength for the day, hope for tomorrow, and the grace to trust Him more.

No matter what comes your way.

Lord, I am reaching for You. I want to seek You with all my heart. I want to trust You completely. Help me to lean back into Your love and grace and know Your presence is with me. Amen.