Can I trust Jesus? | You have a plan for my life.

Have you ever taken a moment to think about what Faith means to you? We have started this journey to be more like Christ, and to develop a deep personal relationship with him. But, we can never get to where need to be, until we start having unconditional faith in Him.

It is exceptionally difficult to have faith when it feels like the whole world is falling apart around you. But that is when we need to have faith in Jesus the most.

It’s more than just faith, it’s trust. If there’s anything harder to have than faith, it’s trust. Thats because, without faith how can we trust? Most of the time, we decide our fate is better off in our own hands. We go out, and make bad decisions, or things just don’t work out the way we plan. Then we turn around, go to Jesus and ask “Why did you let this happen? I trusted you!”.

Because of this lack of faith and trust, we should ask ourselves, what do we really believe? Do we believe that Jesus is who he says he is? Should we put any hope and faith in him at all?

Luckily for us, we’re not the only ones to feel this way. The Bible has many accounts of such people expressing the same concern and having similar situations, with nearly all of theme coming to the same conclusion.

God is good, he does all things for our good and he never changes.

Before we go to God in prayer, let’s get our hearts aligned to his. Let’s prepare to be brutally honest with Jesus and ourselves.

Worship:

Prayer

Father,

Please forgive me of my sins, as I forgive others who sin against me.

Sometimes I don’t know why I do the things that I do. It’s despicable that I sin and whats worse, sometimes its premeditated. I need this to change (Romans 7:18-21). When I confessed my sins to you, and asked you to take control of my life, I was supposed to let that part of me die. Unfortunately, that part of me is hard to get rid of. I know that my sin makes me unclean, but it’s your grace which makes me clean and worthy. I also know that I am not alone in this. By your grace, you show me that sinners like me can be used for your glory (Luke 7:37-48).

I know in my heart that I am meant for more than what I am doing now. You have a better plan for me (Jeremiah 29:11). But I am frequently riddled with anxiety and desperately try to find a purpose for what I do.

And to what purpose (Matthew 6:27)?

As I reflect on these thoughts, I sometimes feel that I am ungrateful. Although, I would argue that I am very grateful for all of the blessings in my life. I think, perhaps, the enemy uses this thought to discourage me from asking more from you (1 Peter 5:8-9).

I need to stop rationalizing that there is something ‘I’ can do about these things. I need to stop being upset when I feel like you are doing nothing to help me. This is absolutely not true.

Jesus, my faith fundamentally rests in these things:

• The Bible was written by people, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
• You are the way, the truth and the life (John 4:16).
• You do all things for my good (Romans 8:28).
• If I ask something of you, and if what I am asking is aligned to your will, I will receive it (Matthew 7:7).
• You never change (Hebrews 13:8).

So then, if I have anxiety does that mean that I lack faith? Because anxiety means I must not trust one of the items listed above. If I don’t trust everything listed above, how can I call myself Christian?

I can call myself a Christian, because even great men can at times have little faith. Father, I say humbly that I believe, but help me with my unbelief (Mark 9:23-25)!

I know that I am in a season of my life where I am being shaped into something which will ultimately glorify you. I know that my spirit will find rest and joy when my purpose in you is fulfilled. I ask that you give me strength to persevere and not waiver. Give me wisdom to discern your voice amongst the noise.

Jesus, help me savor the moments of Joy that come into my life, I don’t want to waste them or take them for granted.

Help me be more like you and always thirst for more of you, as I know that thirst will be satisfied (John 4:13-14).

I ask for these things because they are good, and I know you are good.

In Jesus name,

Amen.