In New York, high school students are expected to take Regents exams. These are statewide standardized tests in core high school subjects.
For me, studying for them was a big deal. As a college bound student, I wanted to achieve the best possible grades. In addition to spending hours memorizing and reviewing information, I adapted special scriptures I called my “Regents verses”:
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Pausing to pray before taking an exam, I would ask God to help bring to mind the information I needed when I needed it.
Today, I smile as I remember that time. I was learning to trust God, even in something as routine as taking an exam.
Over time I’ve learned that trusting God is more than claiming faith in His promises, or running Bible verses through my mind. Trust involves relationship. As with our most cherished human relationships, trust is built through dialogue and sharing.
Because we trust God, we can share with Him our deepest heart cries and secrets, our needs, thanks and praises.
While relying on our own understanding of things can weigh us down, living in His presence frees us up to trust. We trust God even when we don’t understand, or things go “wrong.” Our trust doesn’t falter when the path becomes rocky or steep.
Holding His hand in childlike trust, He lovingly guides us. We acknowledge Him in all our ways. We begin to see things from His perspective.
And with hopeful confidence, we find He directs our paths.
Copyright © 2016 Cheryl Elton
This is a very timely post for me. Over the last few weeks, I’ve found my faith tested and tried, but I recognized the spiritual attack and reminded myself that the weapons of my warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Our relationship with God is not based on what happens in the lives of others, but on God’s promises. Thank you!
God is good! Love and blessings to you, Carol.
“As with our most cherished human relationships, trust is built through dialogue and sharing.” Thanks for some helpful, practical thoughts, Cheryl. Good to take into a new week.
Thanks Sarah. Interesting that we’re both on a “trust God” theme. The insights in your blog today were meaningful reminders of trusting God even when faced with undesirable tasks.