John 3:18, “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”
When we are free of pain, sorrow, and suffering, don’t we all trust God better? But when life takes us on these paths, with their sharp and jagged twists and turns, we may tend to be a bit unsteady in our faith in God and have momentary doubts. We know all the right verses to recite, and that God is always faithful and good, but how do we maneuver through these challenging circumstances without complaining and fully trust Him? Why is it we trusted in Jesus Christ to save us from our sins and give us eternal life, yet when troubling circumstances occur later on in life, we are weak and have fears and doubts? It might be over our health, a problem within our job, or as simple as anxiety over a delayed plane arrival in making a connecting flight home, as we just experienced.
The Bible gives us many examples of Bible characters who did not trust in God, which provide us with life lessons in faith and trusting God and remind us of the dangers and consequences of not believing in the promises of God.
- Doubting Thomas: He probably is the most common one that stands out. His nickname was “Doubting Thomas.” He had to see the nail holes in Jesus’s hands and sides with his own eyes and not just take the words of the disciples’ accounts. Jesus appeared to him and spoke directly to Thomas. He said, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe. Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:24-29.
- Rebekah and Isaac: Genesis 27 is the account of Jacob getting Isaac’s blessing, which was God’s plan. Both Rebekah and Isaac didn’t fully trust God’s plan that He had set forth in Genesis 25:23, where God declared, “the older will serve the younger.” It accounts for how no one in this household trusted each other. But far worse was the fact they did not trust the Lord. Lies were told. But God’s sovereign will was put in place despite any person’s opposition to it in this family. Ultimately, Isaac perceived God’s will and which was the best.
Believe in the name of the only Son of God – Jesus Christ. We all have insufficiencies. But our great God understands your needs and promises His protection, presence, and provisions for His purposes in your life. One’s faith and trust in God is based on our relationship with Him – not on our performance for God.
May 1 John 3:18-20 The Message, be of encouragement: “My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love. This is the only way we’ll know we’re living truly, living in God’s reality. It’s also the way to shut down debilitating self-criticism, even when there is something to it. For God is greater than our worried hearts and knows more about us than we do ourselves.”
Trust Him to, in the end, replace sorrow and suffering with His mighty grace and peace. Ask God to do His work in you. God sent His son to give you eternal life. Believe and trust in God who knows more about you than you do yourself.
Listen to Leanna Crawford, I Know A Place (Music Video).