Lord Build Our Capacity to Trust

This year I learned to love Jesus more by focusing on child-like faith. This year has been full of uncertainty, setbacks, and struggles for so many people. Leaders around the world were perplexed about how to be faith-in-action. More than ever before, I understood even more how much he loves us and orchestrates our lives. 

We were all born with a capacity to trust. As children, regardless of the reality regarding the intent of our parents or guardians, we trust that those in whose care we have been placed love us and want the best for us. Thus, we follow them as they lead, listen as they speak, and do as they instruct. Children are indeed vulnerable; yet they are very comfortable in that position because of their capacity to trust. 

Then something changes in us. We begin to see the realities of the circumstances around us. We begin to question why and compare ourselves and our situation to others and their situation. We begin to obtain some knowledge and realize that our parents or guardians are flawed just as we are flawed. Some, thank God, are protected from those parents or guardians who misuse the trust. Others suffer through maltreatment and abuse. All children, including those who have parents or guardians who diligently seek to rightfully use the trust as God intended, in varying degrees incorporate anti-trust mechanisms into their life for their own protection. We carry the anti-trust mechanisms into other relationships and situations. Our child-like faith in others is marred.

At some time in our lives, we encounter the truth of Christ. Though I can’t fully understand it, I know that somehow God gives us the capacity to trust in Christ for salvation. This precious child-like faith to follow as God leads, to listen as God speaks, and to do as God instructs puts us in a position to accept the truth that God is who he says he is, did what he said he did, and will do what he said he would do. Therefore, since he says you must believe that he is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we can believe. Since he says he is the truth, the way, and the life and that no man comes to the Father accept through belief in Jesus Christ, we believe. Since he instructs on how to receive the gift of eternal life in his presence, we believe and obey. The naturally unbelievable becomes believable truth because God gives us the capacity to trust.

We have received the gift of eternal life with Christ, but somehow, we allow our anti-trust mechanisms to limit out enjoyment of the abundant life God has for us. We won’t step out when he says move – not seeing the amazing blessing just around the corner and not trusting that even if we don’t see, he sees. We won’t give of ourselves and our resources – not remembering the principle of sowing and reaping and not trusting that he is our source. We won’t be what God says we are – not seeing ourselves through his eyes and not trusting that he can really transform us. With child-like faith we realize all he is and all we can be through him. We realize how much he loves us and our love for him grows.

Each day we pray that God will capture our hearts again and renew our capacity to trust.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

– Proverbs 3:5–6 (KJV)

Key Quotation

With child-like faith, we realize all he is and all we can be through him. We realize how much he loves us and our love for him grows.

Michelle Raven, Columbia International University