What Does Trusting God Look Like?

This morning I took my 3.5-day-old “new” car into the Toyota Dealership to get the breaks checked out.  Actually, I had thought they were going to fix them as well.  They had quoted me about an hour and just under $40.  I arrived 10 minutes late to my appointment and dropped off my car.  Two and a half hours later I got my car back, and the nearly $40 charge was waived due to the length of time they took.  However, I got more than just my car back.  

Along with my car came a stack of paper and a short conversation informing me of needed and recommended repairs for my car.  First off, they were not able to repeat the sounds I’ve been hearing in my breaks and they didn’t know what the problem was, though when I drive, it is very clear something is wrong.  They told me that it would be good to replace my break pads and and rotors, costing $409.29.  Secondly, they informed me that I have two tires that have tread below the legal minimum limit, a cost exceeding $300.  Thirdly, they found a side marker light bulb and a park light bulb inoperative (each costing just under $25), the cabin filter needing to be replaced (a $42.95 replacement), along with other needed and recommended repairs such as wheel alignment ($89.95) and the air filter ($29.95).  In all they estimated over $1,000 in repairs, none of which are covered by my cars 15 day limited warranty.  

So I find myself in this dilemma, knowing that some of these repairs, such as the breaks and tires, really do need to be fixed soon.  But I also know that in three weeks I will have a $700 credit card bill, and every month for the next 3-5 years I will have car payments of $150-$250.  And I have nearly no cash on hand.   I have a ton of coins that I am selling, and I hope and pray they sell quickly to help with these expenses.  

Yet, in all of this, I find myself doubting, wundering, worrying, with anxious thoughts.  In this, I was reminded that a week ago I had high confidence that God was with me and in on this car purchase, and just days ago I was confident that God, who allowed me to get this car, was going to bless me through this car.  And here I find myself doubting. I was then reminded by the Holy Spirit of the word of God. Just as I read this morning, Philippians 4:6-8 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things.”  I was reminded of a testimony of a couple at church during our War Stories series who went to buy a house and the inspector told them the house needed $10,000 in repairs before they could move in.  Not having the money, the couple cried out to God worrying what they should do.  Then the sellers of the house offered to pay the cost.  After the repairs, another inspection took place and they were told that the house needed $30,000 in repairs.  The couple freaked out again.  But looking back the husband said they should have trusted, knowing that God had provided once, He can provide again.  The sellers offered to cover the second cost as well. Then a third inspection was done, and even more was needed.  This time the couple trusted God would come through just as He had done before, and He did and they were able to move in.  I know in my heart that God is faithful.  In the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation we see over and over again Gods faithfulness and direct words, declaring Him faithful.  I need to trust Him in this situation of mine.  

Though all of this I was brought to the thought at work today, “What does trusting God look like?”   And though I can’t say it all, for I know very little of it all, I can say what I know.  Trusting is not worrying.  At all!  No worrying, for God says through His Word, which is true, “Do not worry about anything”.  Trusting God is giving circumstances and situations to Him.  Again, Philippians 4:6 says, “ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  Trusting God is to ask, with prayer and petition, with out any worry, and with thanksgiving; to ask expectant and with hope.  Noah Webster’s 1828 first American dictionary defines “hope” as “the highest degree of well-founded expectation for good.”  Trusting God is to come to Him with Hope, giving Him The highest degree of well-founded, Word-rooted, faith-filled expectation for good.   

Philippians 4:4 proclaims this decree for us, “Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!” And when we come to God rejoicing with thanksgiving, expectations, petitions and prayers, “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7).  

I do not understand the circumstances around me, but I know that God is a good God,  and He has declared that because I love Him and am called according to His purpose, He will work all things together for good for me (Romans 8:28).  I am challenged by what Paul writes in Philippians 4:11-13 when he says,”...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.  I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (And, haha, the way God works, this is what I read while I was waiting for my car to get done).  

I know that God is faithful, and I know that He clearly told be before I bought the car, “I will provide.”  I know that when He says something, He will do it.  I don’t know how or what or when, but that it will be done.  I was confident that God was with me in buying this car and that He okayed it along with His promise to provide, so I should have no doubt in trusting that He will work this little situation.  I can go back into history and see where He provided out of the blue and continually fulfilled His promise to me in His own way and in His own timing.  I know that God is with me, and He will never forsake me (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5).  Deuteronomy 31:6 states in confidence, “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”