Let’s start with a straightforward question: In what or in whom do you put your trust? I suspect most of God’s children would say they put their trust in our Heavenly Father. 

When the financial sums don’t add up and your debt keeps getting bigger and bigger or when someone grabs your business out from under you and you’re left sitting on the kerb wondering where the money for food will come from, do you worry a lot? 

I suspect most of us would shout “yes” to this question. 

If a relationship has washed up on the beach and you are left alone, does this cause you to be a sorry mess wondering if you still have any value? I suspect it’s quite normal for one’s self-esteem to disappear in such circumstances.  

And yet we say that we put our trust in God. But when we suffer because of things that happen to us in the world, our wheels come off. Why does this happen? 

Rather than putting our trust in God’s hands, clinging to worldly possessions can badly affect us when they inevitably fail us. We trust our wallets and bank accounts. We smile all the way when they’re thick and full, but when they’re thin and empty, we break out in cold sweat. 

We put our trust in worldly things, instead of putting it in the hands of the One who is in control of the whole world. Therefore, this proposal: 6… God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. 7Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you. 

When you place your hand in God’s hand, the world’s winds can blow and the storms rage, but they will not get you down. It won’t blow up your emotions, because you know Someone who will make sure that you stand firm. 

He will take care of you, even if your wallet is thin and your bank account is empty. Even if relationships fall apart or even if your health takes a nosedive, you know that nothing can tear you from the hand of the Almighty Father. 

Look, right, life is unpredictable and even unfair. I was talking to my friend, and he introduced me to a family member. When she walked away, he told me her husband had left her for her sister. Wow, what a mess that must be at Christmas. 

It’s only when your hand is in God’s hand that you won’t become a sorry mess and feel like a throwaway rag. It’s only God who can hold you tight in such circumstances and give you the strength to face life again. 

Maybe we must sit down again to take a bird’s eye view of our lives. We need to make sure where our trust lies. We must once again place both our hands in God’s hands. 

Then, when life presents some challenges and the rug is pulled out from under us, we will not crash down, but gently rest in our Father’s arms.  

Scripture
1 Peter 5:5-7

Reflection
Where does your trust lie?
Is your hand in God’s hand?
What does it mean to you? 

Prayer
Father, I realise once again that I trust too much in worldly things. I now put my whole life in Your hands again and trust You, my Father, with everything in me. Amen.