A Lesson in Trustfeatured

God recently provided an opportunity (aka trial) for me to learn a bit more about trust. James 1:2-4 tells us to “consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” I admit that joy was not my immediate response when facing this trial.

My husband and I had finished a river cruise in France. Our last task before flying home was to obtain negative COVID tests. Because we knew we had been exposed and had scratchy throats, we were concerned about our test results. Our plan for fixing this situation was to smear hand sanitizer up into our nostrils right before taking the test. Not surprisingly our solution didn’t work -we both tested positive. We were facing a trial and joy was most definitely NOT our immediate response.

While we were not distraught or panicked, we were not joyful. Despite our lack of joy God began to provide for us. We had mild symptoms. We had a comfortable hotel. We weren’t quarantined and had freedom to leave our room. And most importantly, God began to put Bible verses in front of me that began to work on my heart.

I read Psalm 62:8: “Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” I started pouring out my heart to God telling him I had obligations back home that I was pretty sure he wanted me to fulfill.  I told him that I was supposed to make my grandchildren’s bunny cake for Easter.  I told him that I wanted to worship in my home church on Easter Sunday. I wanted God’s plan to conform to mine but it didn’t bring me joy.

We tested again after three days, but another positive test extended our trial. God led me to more scriptures:

• “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him” (Psalm 28:7).
• “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you” (Isaiah 26:3).
• “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in humans” (Psalm 118:8).

God began to remind me that perseverance is a by-product of trusting God completely. It is easy to say “I trust God,” but real trust is far more than just words.  Trust blooms when my knowledge of God’s goodness permeates deep into my soul and transforms my thoughts and then my behavior. Only then does my perspective of the situation change. I realized I was trusting in my own efforts instead of God’s provision.  God’s Word assures us that a perspective adjustment opens the door for gratitude, peace and joy to displace anxiety and worry.

God reminded me that this trial was an inconvenience. It didn’t compare to the trials of the Ukrainians or those facing loss of loved ones or devastating diagnoses. He reminded me that we could trust him to get us home.

I wish I could say that I shook off all worry and experienced profound joy immediately.  My worry was diminished, but I couldn’t quite get to joy until we both tested negative.  I am work in progress – not yet fully mature!

I like to think I’m a bit like this painting where white represents trust. Trust began to bloom as God’s Word spoke to me and I began to focus on his goodness and his love. But there were still darker shades of worry that continued to pester me. I suspect that God will use this experience (and painting) when the next trial (or inconvenience!) comes my way. I suspect that most of us need regular reminders that “the Lord is trustworthy in all he promises and faithful in all he does” (Psalm 145:13).  

P.S. We were able to fly home on Easter Sunday – joyful for negative tests but more importantly, for God’s eternal provision in Jesus Christ.