Trusting in God vs Trusting what God does

[Delvianna]

I realized today that a lot of people when they say they trust in God, they always refer to God's actions. Trust essentially that whatever you're going through, you will come out of it. But I realized no one seems to discuss what it means to trust in GOD. Period.

Let me give you a random example:
Let's say Susie is going through a breakup. She's devastated. She's struggling mentally/emotionally. She's having a hard time because maybe her boyfriend was demeaning, or verbally abusive. She has a lot of hurt, a lot of pain and is just trying to pick up the pieces.

So how do you give Susie advice, that she can go to God with her pain, and HOW (specifically) God is going to help Susie WITHOUT pointing to actions like, get her into a new apartment, she will meet a better man in the future. All stuff that would be action based, when what she needs is emotional comfort.

And I want to leave the bible out of this. I know a lot of people say go to scripture, but I'm talking specifically on a personable level. Scripture tells you about God but what Susie needs, is just literally God himself.

Any opinions?

 

[Churchgoer]

My understanding of trusting God is, for example, stay away from immorality. If God telling us to live pure and holy life, then we trust in God and stay away from immorality.

Another example, if God tell us to make offering to God, then we trust God in our financial management, give to God first.

 

[2ndTimeIsTheCharm]

I realized today that a lot of people when they say they trust in God, they always refer to God's actions. Trust essentially that whatever you're going through, you will come out of it. But I realized no one seems to discuss what it means to trust in GOD. Period.

Let me give you a random example:
Let's say Susie is going through a breakup. She's devastated. She's struggling mentally/emotionally. She's having a hard time because maybe her boyfriend was demeaning, or verbally abusive. She has a lot of hurt, a lot of pain and is just trying to pick up the pieces.

So how do you give Susie advice, that she can go to God with her pain, and HOW (specifically) God is going to help Susie WITHOUT pointing to actions like, get her into a new apartment, she will meet a better man in the future. All stuff that would be action based, when what she needs is emotional comfort.

And I want to leave the bible out of this. I know a lot of people say go to scripture, but I'm talking specifically on a personable level. Scripture tells you about God but what Susie needs, is just literally God himself.

Any opinions?

God often heals the inside of a person and not bless with external things like finding a new apartment or a better spouse. It doesn't sound exciting, but He would rather build the inner person which is more important to Him. Giving them material stuff doesn't help the inner man be strong. His main goal is to make Jesus shine through His people.

 

[Billyd]

Do you trust God enough to ask Himto guide you before you start a task, or do you wait until you are up to your neck in failure?

 

[Delvianna]

I don't think you all are understanding what I was asking, I was asking for examples of trusting God. Literal examples, not abstract, "trust Him/follow Him/seek guidance". Let me start by an example as to how God can show His presence, without having to show it in life actions (like, you get a job, or someone invites you to a church) and without being abstract.

In Susie's case, He could give her a dream or vision that let's her know she is loved and everything will work out.
Another example: He could send someone with the gift of prophecy to tell Susie something that touches on exactly what she's struggling with and she knows it came from God because only God knew the specifics of what she was going through and only the Holy Spirit could tell someone exactly what to say to hit on that point.

 

[Churchgoer]

I don't think you all are understanding what I was asking, I was asking for examples of trusting God. Literal examples, not abstract, "trust Him/follow Him/seek guidance". Let me start by an example as to how God can show His presence, without having to show it in life actions (like, you get a job, or someone invites you to a church) and without being abstract.

In Susie's case, He could give her a dream or vision that let's her know she is loved and everything will work out.
Another example: He could send someone with the gift of prophecy to tell Susie something that touches on exactly what she's struggling with and she knows it came from God because only God knew the specifics of what she was going through and only the Holy Spirit could tell someone exactly what to say to hit on that point.

Did you see my post? Is that practical example?

 

[NotmebutHim]

This is a tough question to answer because in once sense, God is always "doing" something. Yes, He is self-existing, but God is always "working" (John 5:17).

But I assume what you're actually asking is if we trust God because of who He is rather than because of what He can do for us (at least what we think He should do for us).

 

[Delvianna]

Did you see my post? Is that practical example?

I did, but my main focus is on the relationship rather than what we specifically are doing for God. Essentially, someone asks How do you know you and God are close? How do you know you have a relationship with Him? Give examples of how that shows up in your life without the abstract stuff.

I've just noticed that people generally point to, "God blessed me by giving me this job, and its a tangible thing in front of me so that's how I know God and me are okay." But that's like, relationship at a distance. I wanted to focus on personal stuff.

Because I think this can help others too, you can recognize how close God is relationally without having to wait on things in real life to show up tangibly. Knowing NOW God is with you, not later when something shows up. And not because you read it in scripture but something God did that was personal and direct.

Does that make sense? I just want to make sure you're understanding where I'm coming from and I'm not being convoluted lol.

 

[Delvianna]

This is a tough question to answer because in once sense, God is always "doing" something. Yes, He is self-existing, but God is always "working" (John 5:17).

But I assume what you're actually asking is if we trust God because of who He is rather than because of what He can do for us (at least what we think He should do for us).

Thanks for your response, if you don't mind reading my last message, post number 8, maybe that helps give clarity as to what I mean? Hopefully lol

 

[Churchgoer]

I did, but my main focus is on the relationship rather than what we specifically are doing for God. Essentially, someone asks How do you know you and God are close? How do you know you have a relationship with Him? Give examples of how that shows up in your life without the abstract stuff.

I've just noticed that people generally point to, "God blessed me by giving me this job, and its a tangible thing in front of me so that's how I know God and me are okay." But that's like, relationship at a distance. I wanted to focus on personal stuff.

Because I think this can help others too, you can recognize how close God is relationally without having to wait on things in real life to show up tangibly. Knowing NOW God is with you, not later when something shows up. And not because you read it in scripture but something God did that was personal and direct.

Does that make sense? I just want to make sure you're understanding where I'm coming from and I'm not being convoluted lol.

Recent years God broke my legs 3 times, to let me know i need to focus on certain group prayer meeting.
Now I am very focus on that, experiencing God's leading everyday.

Is this a practical example?

 

[Delvianna]

Recent years God broke my legs 3 times, to let me know i need to focus on certain group prayer meeting.
Now I am very focus on that, experiencing God's leading everyday.

Is this a practical example?

Yes and also... I need to know more now lol How in the world did you break your legs 3 times? If you don't mind sharing. If not, that's okay.

 

[Churchgoer]

Yes and also... I need to know more now lol How in the world did you break your legs 3 times? If you don't mind sharing. If not, that's okay.

By slacking of the prayer meeting...hahaha,
I played tennis before the prayer meeting, then at prayer time, I was not focused....
So God twisted my joints, muscles.... after 3 times, I get it that God is speaking to me.

 

[Delvianna]

By slacking of the prayer meeting...hahaha,
I played tennis before the prayer meeting, then at prayer time, I was not focused....
So God twisted my joints, muscles.... after 3 times, I get it that God is speaking to me.

Crazy story, thanks for sharing!

 

[Churchgoer]

Crazy story, thanks for sharing!

Experienced many miracles before and after, and still on going now.
God is real, not just a doctrine, cause, rules....

 

[Snackersmom]

I don't think you all are understanding what I was asking, I was asking for examples of trusting God. Literal examples, not abstract, "trust Him/follow Him/seek guidance". Let me start by an example as to how God can show His presence, without having to show it in life actions (like, you get a job, or someone invites you to a church) and without being abstract.

In Susie's case, He could give her a dream or vision that let's her know she is loved and everything will work out.
Another example: He could send someone with the gift of prophecy to tell Susie something that touches on exactly what she's struggling with and she knows it came from God because only God knew the specifics of what she was going through and only the Holy Spirit could tell someone exactly what to say to hit on that point.

Hi Delvianna, I have been on both the giving and receiving end of such messages a few times. They really hit. Whenever my faith feels a little tenuous I always go back to those times to remind myself how much He loves and knows and cares ❤

 

[Delvianna]

Hi Delvianna, I have been on both the giving and receiving end of such messages a few times. They really hit. Whenever my faith feels a little tenuous I always go back to those times to remind myself how much He loves and knows and cares ❤

Care to share any instances?

 

[Snackersmom]

Care to share any instances?

That's a little tricky because the Intel was fairly personal, but I'll see what I can do:

I had a friend, a new Christian who was going through a lot. One morning I woke up thinking about them and couldn't get them off my mind. So I figured maybe they needed prayer.

After a few minutes of praying I suddenly had knowledge about the person that I didn't have before. I didn't exactly "hear" it... kinda did I guess but not exactly. Anyway....

The knowledge was about a situtation the person was dealing with that I didn't know about. It had been ongoing for a long time, since childhood I think. It was very personal in nature so I didn't really want to tell the friend I knew about it but also knew that was the reason God had told me. So I prayed more and got a little more intel on how to approach it, then emailed the friend. They were shocked and a little scared but confirmed that everything was true and they just didn't know what to do about it. So I shared the other info and I think it was pretty much handled that very day. The friend now considers it part of their testimony.

Another time someone close to me was very sick, and the outlook was very bleak. I was extremely stressed out about it. I got an email from a friend who said they thought God had given me an answer about something that morning around 10 am. And I had to think back across my schedule and realized that was about the time I was praying for the sick person and I had felt the worry leave me. And at the time it had actually bothered me, like I interpreted it as a lack of caring on my part. But when I read the friends email I realized that it may have been God answering, just without any words. I still had no idea if the person would recover, but I did realize that my worry wasn't going to help matters. So it made things a lot easier. The person actually did recover and is still kicking many years later

I could keep going if you want but maybe others would like to share... I love hearing this kind of story lol