Over the past few weeks, I’ve met with several who are walking through perilous journeys. Some are battling cancer, some have children far from God. Others have adult kids who have gone through horrific loss. Meanwhile, the news reports are filled with all sorts of depressing stories. Jesus calls us to peace, but sometimes when life caves in around us, peace is hard to come by! Right?!
Years ago, I memorized Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” Trust really is the key that unlocks peace in our souls. If we don’t trust God, we live with an underlying current of anxiety. Yet, at times, trust feels impossible.
God knows our hearts and understands how fragile our faith can be. He longs for us to trust Him, but understands it’s a life-long journey for most of us. Remember the man who came to Jesus to heal His son? He said if you are able, can you heal him from the demon that torments him? Jesus challenged the man with a question, “If you can?” Then He went on to say, “Everything is possible for one who believes.” To which the man responded, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:21-24). Jesus understood how hard the dad was trying to believe and healed the man’s son.
So the question is, how do we build up our trust bank so that we can access the peace that God promises? I believe we need a deeper experience of God’s great love and goodness.
3 Passages to Meditate on for a Deeper Experience of God’s Love
Psalm 136. The Psalmist wrote, “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever” (Psalm 136:1). Throughout the entire Psalm, David reminds us, “His love endures forever.” If you need to build up your trust bank, why not spend time reading Psalm 136 out loud? Let the truth of David’s words wash over your soul and heart.
Ephesians 3:14-21. The Apostle Paul wrote, “I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power together with all the Lord’s holy people to grasp how wide and long, and deep is the love of Christ” (Ephesians 3:17-18). The word grasp that’s used here means to receive this love experientially, not just intellectually. Echo these verses in your prayer life. Tell God that you want a deeper experience of His love so that you will trust Him more. Ask the Holy Spirit to awaken a deeper awareness in your heart of how high and wide and deep and long the love of Christ is for you and those you love. This is a prayer that God loves to answer.
Romans 8:31-39. Paul reminds us in this passage, that nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Not anxiety or depression. Not loss or suffering. Not division nor violence. Not illness or death. Nothing! We are held securely in Christ’s hand. He loves beyond measure so you can rest secure!
Friend, trust is definitely a life-long journey. Spend some time this week meditating on these three profound passages of scripture. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal more of Christ’s love for you and to strengthen your trust in God’s unfathomable goodness.
Lord Jesus, I want to trust You completely. I pray that You would give me a deeper experience of Your profound love. Awaken my heart to just how deeply you love me and how profoundly good you are. Teach me to trust You! How I praise You that whatever You allow in my life can never separate me from Your love. Thank You
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Becky Harling
Featured Image by Tommy Takacs from Pixabay
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