She told me . . .

I don’t know if I can trust God.  I’m afraid He’ll hurt me like I’ve been hurt before.

This young woman, sitting in my office years ago, was one of many seeking therapy.  They had been hurt badly in relationship from their earliest memories on.  People who professed love often didn’t act very loving.  In fact, those who should be most trustworthy turned out to be see-saws of wavering affection.  Please them and all is fine.  Displease them and on pours the shaming words, the rejecting actions, or the stony silence that can hurt as much as sharp tongues.

So how does one learn to trust God when one has grown to distrust humans?  Read God’s word and witness His track record.  His love never ends from Genesis to Revelation.  His word is the longest love letter ever written.  He pursues and woos each of us, not wanting any to perish.

Yes, we live in a broken world where bad things happen.  Yet, God proves in His word and in the lives of all who follow that He works all together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).  We can always look forward with hope, no matter how painful our current circumstances, because we can trust the One and only who has proved himself worthy perfectly.  Our triune God has never failed to deliver on every promise.  Jesus Christ is Faithful and True (Revelation 19:11).

To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul; in you I trust, O my God.  Do not let me be put to shame nor let my enemies triumph over me.  No one whose hope is in you will ever be put to shame, but they will be put to shame who are treacherous without excuse.

Psalm 25:1-2

(emphasis added)