Navigating Trust in God’s Power and Promises: A Discerning Approach to Ego and Expectations
When we trust in God’s power and promises, we don't have to keep or make expectations that we shouldn’t have. Instead, we can safely put the outcome into God’s hands and trust that He will take care of it. However, this trust must be balanced with a discerning approach to both our ego and our expectations. Let’s delve into why and how this is important.
Risking Our Trust: Expectations and Humility
According to the scripture in James 4:1-10, whenever we have expectations based on the desires of our ego, we are inviting conflicts and wars into our lives. The text warns us about the nature of our desires: “From whence come wars and fightings among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” This passage indicates that our desires and expectations often stem from a place of humility that has been buried by our ego.
This is not to say that we should disregard expectations altogether. However, it is crucial to recognize that our intentions and desires must be directed towards God and surrendered to His will. If our desires and expectations are not rooted in genuine humility and repentance, they can become fruitless and even anti-Christ. This is a critical point to consider when we are seeking to trust in God’s power and promises.
The Nature of Faith and Trust
Faith in God’s power and promises does not mean we ignore our own abilities or ignore the importance of humility. We must recognize that any trust in God should be based on established proof and demonstrations of His existence and power. Why would we trust something we have not demonstrated to be real? Trusting blindly is irresponsible and can be dangerous.
Trust in your own abilities and don’t let any belief system, including Christianity, control you by telling you that you are unworthy, broken, or not capable. Any ideology that promotes guilt and shame is harmful and counterproductive to the benefit of our society. Instead, we should focus on discernment and a balanced approach to our faith.
A Discerning Approach to Humility and Faith
To navigate trust in God’s power and promises, we must embrace a discerning approach that involves humility and wisdom. This means:
1. Humility and Self-Reflection
Regular self-reflection is essential. Examine your desires and intentions. Are they rooted in humility and a true desire for God’s will? If not, it might be time to repent and seek genuine humility.
2. Evidence and Demonstrations
Before fully committing to trust in God, gather evidence and witness demonstrations of His existence and power. Seek out miracles, answered prayers, and the lives of those who have evidence of God’s work.
3. Community and Counsel
Engage with the community of believers who can provide guidance and support. Seek counselors and mentors to help navigate your faith journey and discern real from unhelpful beliefs.
Conclusion
Trust in God’s power and promises is a beautiful and essential part of the Christian faith. Yet, it should always be balanced with a discerning approach. By embracing humility, seeking evidence, and engaging with the community, we can navigate our faith journey safely and purposefully. Remember, trusting God means more than just having nice thoughts; it means putting our trust in the tangible demonstrations of His power and love.
May you find a deep and meaningful relationship with God through a balanced and discerning approach to your faith.