Who Do You Trust?

God gave me a visual this morning.

Do you remember playing this trust game when you were younger? One person stands in front of another, both facing the same direction. The person in front spreads her arms and free-falls backward. The idea is to let the person standing in back catch her.

I didn’t like this game. I had to rely on someone else. If I didn’t trust the person behind me, I would take a step backward at the last moment to catch myself, assuming if I didn’t I’d end up on the floor. More than likely if my younger sister was the one catching me I gave her the evil eye before facing forward and starting my fall. She knew that meant, “If you don’t catch me, I’ll hurt you!” Knowing her, she caught me. She would have caught me with or without the threat. Sadly, I was too focused on my own fear to notice her trustworthy nature.

This morning as I prayed I saw a picture of myself, arms extended, legs straight, falling backward. I lingered in mid-air as if God was asking what I would do. Do you trust Me enough to fall into My arms or will you take a step back?

While this picture encompasses more than food issues, it certain applies here also.

When I take matters into my own hands, when I make choices without consulting the Almighty One, when I move forward without looking up, I put more trust in myself and my own thoughts or feelings than in God. I essentially say, “I know better than you do, Lord. My wisdom usurps Yours.” Ooooo, ouch!

If I take a step back before falling into His loving arms, I allow my fear to supersede my trust.

What do you fear?
• I won’t be able to eat my favorite foods again.
• I won’t be able to bear the pain necessary to change.
• I won’t lose weight even if I trust God.
• Whether it’s today or tomorrow or six months from now—I’ll eventually fail.
• God will require more than I can endure.

Take heart. God is for us. He coaxes and prods and cheers for us. He woos, loves, and gently guides. “Stop trusting in man, who has but a breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he?” (Isaiah 2:22) “Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalm 9:10)

Let go of your fears and/or controlling nature. Join me as I visualize myself free-falling backward into God’s loving arms. Join me as I literally take a step of faith toward the One who is trustworthy.

Book Recommendation: Food Rules by Michael Pollan
In this quick-read eater’s manual, the author lists 64 short and easy-to-follow food rules. His practical tips range from purchasing smaller plates and bowls to eating well-grown food from healthy soil. Some may be new to you. But some may be familiar. He updated my mom’s saying, “Don’t eat while standing up,” to, “Do all your eating at a table.” My favorite: “Cook.”

Congratulations! Joyce Denen won Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst. Joyce, please contact me with your snail mail address.

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