Trusting God from point A to B: 3 Lifestyle Practices with Tips

“Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word.” Psalm 119:114 KJV

“Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: And let me not be ashamed of my hope” Psalm 119:116 KJV

Hello and good day to you wherever you are!  In the last blog we went over reasons why trusting in God is the best choice and touched base on benefits that came along with doing so. 

Often, when trusting God we are not presently living in the outcome we’re trusting Him for…  

For example:

• A man that is currently single, trusting God to find a good wife.
• A mother that has a sick child, trusting God for complete healing.
• A father whose sons have turned to the streets for a living, trusting God to draw his sons to Jesus and live honest lives.
• A woman that recently separated with her bread winning partner for the sake of Christ, trusting God to provide her needs.

Can you think of a current situation or inevitable soon to come situation where you’ll be making a decision to trust God to get you or someone you know from Point A to Point B?  

In this blog we’ll take a look at three lifestyle practices and tips that we can begin using today to help us in our journey of trusting God.

The first step on our journey of putting trust in God is faith.

“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6 KJV

Before we continue, it’s critical to understand that faith is the starting point to trusting God and receiving what it is we’re expecting. Consider the following scriptures:

“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering.  For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.  For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.” James 1:6-7 KJV

“And Jesus said unto them, because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”  Matthew 17:20 KJV

If right now, for whatever reason, you’re struggling with faith, take a moment now and each day to pray and ask God to increase your faith and overcome unbelief.  Unbelief and doubt in God are blockers of  receiving the promise, blockers of your expectations and time wasters.  Don’t ever forget that.

 

Moving forward, let’s go over three action steps and tips that you can begin using today to assist you in your journey of trusting God. They are sourced from the Bible and the beauty of these remedies are that they do not cost you anything monetarily and you don’t need any special equipment or education to get started.

     Meditation

Meditating on God’s word has benefits.  Let’s explore a practical way to meditate today.

Step 1: Identify a circumstance where you will choose to trust God. e.g., provision.

Step 2: Locate at least one scripture on what God has to say about providing or you can find a story where God provided for someone else.  Thanks to the internet it has become fairly easy to locate scriptures based on search topics.

E.g. “But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 KJV

Step 3: choose a time and a place where you can be alone and focused.  Bring to mind the circumstance at hand where you are trusting God, then meditate on the scripture that you found.  Make it personal.  Think of God’s character and His promises.

God is the doctor and here is His prescription: meditate on His words day and night.  To meditate on God’s word means that you are focused– intently considering the scripture you have chosen to meditate on.

Tip: when you pick your time to meditate, place your phone and/or other devices where notifications could be a distraction on silent or do not disturb.  Regardless of the time you start out with, have a time set. Remember, even four minutes is better than zero. If you go over the time, that's fine, but make an effort not to break focus in the time frame you’ve chosen.

“This book of the law shall not depart out of they mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Joshua 1:8 KJV

“But his delight is in the law of the LORD; And in his law doth he meditate day and night.” Psalm 1:2 KJV

“I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy doings.” Psalm 77:12 KJV

The Bible even gives suggestions of things to meditate on:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8 KJV

These true, honest and just things that are recommended to think about can be found in scripture and can be used to apply to your circumstance.

Meditating on God’s word will improve your quality of life.  Below are known benefits of meditation:

• Mood enhancer
• Stress reliever
• Increased positive outlook
• Awareness of self in God
• Heightened ability to recognize negative thoughts (thoughts outside of God’s will for you)
• Increased attention span
• Discipline( useful to break dependencies)

Confession

“A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; And with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.  Death and life are in the power of the tongue: And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”  Proverbs 18:20-21 KJV

Confessing the word of God is powerful.  You can make proclamations with God’s word speaking directly to any circumstance that you are trusting God with. 

Step 1: Make it personal- Using the same scripture example we used for meditation, let’s use it now as a confession.

Example Confession: My needs are supplied by God according to his riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.

You see…  you can confess the scripture in a personal manner.  Now, you can take it a step further and speak your need.  Now, let’s say you’re in need of groceries.

Example Confession:  My God shall supply the means for my groceries according to his riches in Glory by Christ Jesus.

Tip:  your confession should not change.  Once you begin saying it, don’t contradict God’s word. If God says He will provide then let that be your story and stick to it.  Remember the law of faith requires that we do not waiver.  So it’s necessary to keep your confession. 

Let’s consider the example of you in need of groceries one week.  You’ve meditated on God’s promises for provision and have confessed that He will provide a means for you to get groceries.  

Situation A:  Because it doesn't look like you will receive the means to get groceries by the time you need it, you have a negative/ doubtful thought.  

     What should you do?  Keep your confession!  Regardless of what it looks like, you confess that your God will provide all your needs.  Your God will provide a means for you to get groceries.

Situation B: You receive a phone call from a friend who’s in a similar situation but is not trusting God to provide.  Your friend asks about your food situation and you tell your friend you are trusting God to provide a way for you to get groceries.  Your friend then laughs at you and says that is not going to happen.  

     What should you do?  You reject those words by sticking to your confession.  You let your friend know that your God will supply your need.

Tip:  Anticipate the test.  Once you decide you’re going to stand on God’s word until you receive what you’re looking for you will be tested.  Be vigilant to perceive the test.  When it comes, no matter which way or which person, make sure you keep your confession.  Sometimes it may seem like the situation worsened.  Keep your confession.  You can always tell God how you feel daily/ hourly/ every minute if necessary, but remind him that you’re depending on Him and keep your confession when what you’re expecting is opposed.

By the way, the moment you see your words being tested this is a sign that the spirit realm has acknowledged them.  And not everyone needs to know what you're confessing either, that can bring unnecessary opposition, but maybe we'll go over that another day.

Tip:  write down the scripture you choose to meditate on and confess on your phone or on a small piece of paper that you can carry in your wallet or purse.  That way you’re not scrambling when the doubtful thought comes to mind and if your situation intensifies you can meditate on God’s word wherever you may be at the moment, until it is memorized.

     Thanksgiving:

“In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV

Think of thanksgiving in the waiting period as an accelerator to internal peace and receiving your expectation as well as a statement to God that you know He’s God.

“For with God nothing shall be impossible” Luke 1:37 KJV

In this action step, you thank God in advance.  Imagine that you receive what it is you're trusting Him for and begin to thank Him from that place.  Thank God when things look impossible, knowing He’s God. 

Using our example of trusting God for groceries:

E.g. 'I thank you God for being my provider, I thank you God for providing my need for groceries'

This action step is an experience.  It truly is admirable when we thank God before we see the breakthrough.  Thanksgiving in faith is a sure way to please God, you can:

• Thank God verbally
• Thank God with dancing
• Thank God with songs of praise and worship
• Thank God in advance while encouraging others to do the same
• Thank God while rejoicing with/for others that have received what you’re also expecting
• Thank God in your own unique way

“By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” Hebrews 13:15 KJV

“I rejoice at thy word, As one that findeth great spoil.” Psalm 119:162 KJV

 Recap

Nothing is impossible with God.  Inasmuch, be encouraged!  Take some time and find a scripture or story that pertains to what you’re going through; ask the Holy Spirit to point you to scripture(s) that you should choose and He will.  

Once you get the word, get ready for the journey.  Always remember that you are not alone in this journey because God is with you.  Motivate your faith, meditate on the word, make personal confessions of the word and do not speak anything contrary.  Finally, give God thanks before, during and after your results.

Tip: Motivate your faith by reading stories where others have went in and came out of a situation similar to yours and listen to sermons pertaining to the topic.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 KJV

Word of caution:  Please be vigilant once you receive the word that you plan to weather the storm with.  Jesus teaches us that our adversary comes immediately for the word: 

“And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.” Mark 4:15 KJV

Praying that you sow the word on good ground! Be courageous, do not let the word be taken from you, let it grow roots and ultimately bear fruit.  

Are you ready to give one of these practices a try?

It’s been a pleasure writing this blog, hope that you have learned something true and encouraged yourself.  Until next time, keep going!  God got you.