Learning to Trust
Marie Monville, Guest Writer
TODAY’S TREASURE
Trust in Him at all times, O people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us (Psalm 62:8).
After the loss of my first daughter, and in the moments of raw honesty with God, I realized that I didn’t trust Him. I wanted him to fix my life, but He wanted something different. “Marie, I need you to trust Me.” One simple sentence, but it shook me.
“God, I can’t do this, I don’t know how to do this.” I felt like I was asked to do the impossible. My pulse raced; my mind tried to figure out how to release the control that I so desperately wanted. I knew that He was worth trusting; I had read the stories. Clearly, if He could perform the countless miracles contained in the Bible, He could handle my life. I was the one with the problem. It wasn’t God; it was me, but I couldn’t figure my way through it. He spoke peace that stilled my restless heart.
“Marie, I simply want you to open your hands and let go of the things you’ve held so tightly for too long.”
I had to let go of my dreams. He was asking me to release all the things I was trying to make happen—my healing, a child, and my ability to trust him. He wanted it all. He knew I couldn’t handle it. The weight was too much, I was not strong enough. He was not asking me to be stronger. He asked me to embrace my weakness by surrendering the things I could not carry and could not control.
He did not ask me to let them go because He wanted to manipulate me, He asked because He loves me. And He loves you the very same way. There were days that I could live with my hands open, and days that I closed them tight. I was frustrated, and if you would’ve asked me how it was going in that season, I would have said that I was failing. I saw each individual day as a win or a loss. And it felt like there were equally as many losses as wins. But God didn’t see it that way. He saw the whole picture and He wasn’t grading me. He wasn’t judging me. He wasn’t pointing out places of failure. He was simply holding me, and loving me, and allowing me all the days I needed to learn to let go.
I don’t know how He taught me to trust Him, I just know He did. As the days and weeks and months went by, it was easier to see that I was making progress. It was progress I didn’t notice in the moment. I could see that there were more days I lived with my hands open than closed. And that realization helped me release the frustration and surrender to His love.
LIFE-GIVING ENCOURAGEMENT
So today it’s your turn. Where is He asking you to let go, to trust Him, and to live with your hands wide open? Those are the things you need to surrender. Take some time to think about them, and then offer them to God. Remember, there is tangible evidence of His love for His children – He sent His “only begotten Son, and whoever believes in Him will have eternal life.” Not maybe have eternal life – WILL HAVE eternal life. He loves you, and He will help you.
PRAYER
Join me in this prayer, “God, I know You are asking me to trust You, and I don’t know where to start. I don’t know how to live with my hands wide open, but I want to start today. Help me to see You in this place of trust, and to follow You. I want to know that kind of love.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Marie Monville - From Marie… I’m a wife and mom of 6 kids. I recently became a “Lolli” (my term for grandma, yes my husband is “Pop”) and love everything about my sweet grandson. I’m passionate about my family and believe in the redemptive beauty of adoption. You’ll find me advocating for the older child. Family dinners are special, so they are a priority in our home. Sometimes that means a nice meal on real dishes, and other days, that’s leftovers on paper plates! I’m a dreamer, a believer, and if you’re in my circle, I’ll champion you and your goals! I love real relationships, and that means living life with authenticity. So yeah, on any given day there might be 12+ pairs of my kids’ shoes between our living and dining room; I’m still working on that! (https://mariemonville.com/about/).
For more from Daily Treasure please visit MARKINC.ORG.
Originally published Thursday, 14 July 2022.
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