Exercising the Trust Muscle

With COVID-19 causing major disruption in people’s lives – including fears about health, income, investments, government, and more – it is time for us as the body of Christ to exercise and strengthen our “trust muscle.”

Like any muscle, we have to “use it or lose it” when it comes to trust. My concern is that Christians often have a faulty idea when it comes to trust. In particular, there are many people who think that trust means “trusting God to prevent anything bad from happening to me.”

Friends, that isn’t trust. Trust is what Habakkuk demonstrated in the final verses of the book that bears his name:

“Though the fig tree should not blossom

and there be no fruit on the vines,

though the yield of the olive should fail

and the fields produce no food,

though the flock should be cut off from the fold

and there be no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will exult in the Lord,

I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

The Lord God is my strength,

and He has made my feet like hinds’ feet,

and makes me walk on my high places.”

Let’s put that in terms of COVID-19:

“Though COVID-19 spreads unchecked through my country

and impacts my job and my income,

though my retirement accounts plummet

and never recover from the hit,

though the virus affects my health

and even kills someone I love,

yet I will exult in the Lord,

I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

The Lord God is my strength:

He will give me the agility and ability I need

so that I can walk in confidence in Him.”

This is trust. Trust means that:

I believe God is in control at all times, even times of pandemic and disaster (Psalm 115:3).

I believe God sends both good things and adversity into our lives (Job 2:10).

I believe God causes all things to work together for good, even trouble and tribulation (Romans 8:28).

I believe God is with me every step of the way (Isaiah 41:10).

This is trust. Let’s exercise our “trust muscle” and strengthen our souls and spirits. In doing so, I believe God will not only bring us peace, but He will also open doors for us to share the reason for our peace with people around us who are frightened and anxious. I urge you, keep your eyes focused on the Lord, and open to the spiritual needs of those around you.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord and whose trust is the Lord” (Jeremiah 17:7).