Trust...

This is something that was given to me and I shared with others four years ago today. It is a great source of encouragement as I think about the words I have heard GOD speak to me in the past. And reminded of the hope and faith I have in TRUSTING in HIM. I know many think I am crazy for waiting and believing and saying I know as I do, but this is my hearts cry and I trust GOD. HE spoke to me about my future back in Bali and I TRUST what I heard HIM say. Then at the end of July HE spoke again by using Habakkuk 2:3. How can I not wait on and trust in HIM? So here is what was shared with me four years ago this day..........and yes, I am STILL WAITING ON HIM, and him.

Everyone longs to give themselves completely to someone...to have a deep soul relationship with another...to be loved thoroughly and exclusive. But God to a Christian says NO, not until you are satisfied, fulfilled and content with being loved by me alone...with giving yourself totally and unreservedly to me...to having an intensively personal and unique relationship with me alone, discovering that only in me is your satisfaction to be found and only then will you be capable of the perfect human relationship that I have planned for you. I want you to stop planning, stop wishing and allow me to give you the most thrilling plan existing..one that you cannot imagine. I want you to have the best, Please allow me to bring it to you. You just keep experiencing the satisfaction that I AM. Keep listening and learning the things I tell you. You must wait. That's all. My timing is perfect for you. Don't be anxious, don't worry. Don't look around at the things others have gotten or what I've given them. Don't look at the things you think you want. You just keep looking off and away up at me, or you'll miss what I have to show you. And then, when you are ready, I'll surprise you with a love far more wonderful than anything you would dream of. You see, until you are ready and until the one I have for you is ready (I am working even at this moment to have both of you ready at the same time). Until you are both satisfied exclusively with me and the life I prepared for you, you won't be able to experience the love that exemplifies your relationship with me, and is thus perfect love. And dear one, I want you to have this most wonderful love. I want you to see in the flesh a picture of your relationship with me. I AM EL SHADI (Most loving and almighty). Believe and be satisfied.

'For I know the plan I have for you declares the Lord. Plan to give you hope and a future...You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.' Jeremiah 29:11,13

'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.' Proverbs 3:5-6

I also found this where I had the above encouragement saved. I reread it tonight and found it to be a source of encouragement and reminding about what TRUST in HIM looks like. It was also shared with me four years ago on August 16, 2003. So I am going to add it as well:

Been Thinking About: What Trust Looks Like
A monthly article by RBC Ministries President Mart De Haan

What does trust look like when we can't explain our trouble, or see beyond it?

Listening to others as they try to show faith in crisis can be confusing. Some say they are "believing God" for a job, restored health, a reconciled marriage, or the return of a prodigal. Others say reliance on Him means accepting that His ways are not necessarily our ways.

In the waiting room of prayer and helplessness, I've concluded that questions about what it means to trust God can be almost as troubling as the problem itself. I've also discovered that it is for those struggles that the wisdom of the Bible has been given to us.

Don't be too hard on yourself. The most godly men and women of the past were deeply disturbed by the crises of their lives. King David wouldn't eat or be comforted as he pleaded with God for the life of his dying child (2 Samuel 12:16-17). Even though David was a man after God's own heart, the songs and groans of his life reflect recurring fear and despair (Psalm 6:1-7). Job's experience was similar. In the dark nights of his loss, his first expressions of trust turned to bitter anguish (Job 3:1-26). Then there was childless Hannah. Her prayers for a baby were so deep and emotional that her priest accused her of being drunk (1 Samuel 1:13-15). Even the apostle Paul had "great heaviness and continual grief" for unsaved family and friends (Romans 9:2). Together they show us that trust can cry, and groan, and even doubt.

Expect to be misunderstood by others. In times of profound loss and concern, even our best friends will try to make sense of what has happened to us. They may forget that people do not suffer in proportion to their wrongs. Some pay quickly for their mistakes. Others do not. Some suffer for being foolish while others are punished for being wise (Psalm 73:1-14).

Such irony complicated the ancient tragedy of Job. When his friends heard him express bitterness and despair, they wrongly assumed that he was suffering for a secret sin (Job 4:1-9). Although they came to his side to divide his pain, they ended up multiplying it (Job 16:2).

Don't be afraid to be honest with God. An elderly Abraham laughed at the absurdity of God's promise to make him the father of many nations. Jacob wrestled with his Lord over the uncertainty of what lay ahead. David openly expressed his despair and helplessness in circumstances beyond his control. Job accused God of being unfair.

When heaven seemed to be ignoring them, they said so. When they thought they had an argument, they expressed it. They learned to trust God in the dark valleys of their doubts.

Take one step at a time. Sometimes it helps to break the journey down into small steps. Jesus encouraged us not to worry about tomorrow since today has enough of its own problems (Matthew 6:34). In the weakness of turbulent and unsteady emotions we may need to settle for short steps, the wisdom of the moment (James 1:6), and the present reassurance of the one who says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).

Don't be self-destructive. In times of disappointment or distress we need to avoid quick fixes that are harmful or self-destructive. None of us can afford addictions that kill the pain for the moment but complicate our problems in the long run. While there is a time for sedatives and pain killers (Proverbs 31:6-7), they can be abused at great risk to ourselves and others (Proverbs 31:4-5; 20:1). We also need to ask God to help us avoid taking out our anxiety, anger, or despair on those around us. Lashing out can be its own kind of addiction.

Don't underestimate God. One of the great truths of the Bible is that when we are helpless, God is not. A wise person has said, "Of this I am sure: There is a God. And it's not me." If God doesn't answer our prayers in the time and manner that we've asked, it's because He can see what we cannot.

Joseph learned to trust God after being sold into slavery by his older brothers. When he was reunited with them later in life, he was able to say, "As for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good" (Genesis 50:20).

Ask but don't demand. In desperate circumstances we are apt to think we know what we need from God. Like a small child who cannot be consoled, we are inclined to beg Him for what we want, when we want it. In those moments God understands our weakness and fear. Yet He is also the One who uses the depth of the Grand Canyon, the power of Niagara, or the wonder of the night sky to calm us in His presence (Job 38-41). Christian philosopher Francis Schaeffer observes, "When I am in the presence of God, it seems profoundly unbecoming to demand anything" (see Job 42).

Doubt yourself. Job finally got to the place of doubting himself more than he doubted God. After being reminded of the eternal power and infinite genius of the God of creation, he fell to his knees. From a heart that was both broken and relieved, Job said, "I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked 'who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.... I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You" (Job 42:2-6).

Father in heaven, we want to trust You. But sometimes we get so confused. Please forgive us for wanting answers so that we don't have to trust You. Thank You for being so patient with us. Please help us to have the same patience with You, as we wait to see that Your plans and timing are better than our own.

PRAISE you LORD JESUS that I am STILL WAITING ON YOU, and him. I know that some day GOD will be completely Glorified in all of this part of my journey. This journey of waiting, and when so many have doubted or felt sorry for me.........I PRAISE YOU that YOU NEVER gave up on me. That YOU, LORD JESUS, stayed true to your word. Forgive me now for my doubt when I let the world and others come in and begin to doubt what I heard from you. Forgive me when I feel the word spoken will not come to be. PRAISE YOU, that you do still love me and continue to encourage me and reminding me to TRUST in and WAIT on YOU!!