Trust Chooses

Anita Delene Manthe
Jan 28, 2017
2 min read

In our August 2016 Plan to Trust article we quoted Jerry Bridges. He said, “Trust is not a passive state of mind. It is a vigorous act of the soul by which we choose to lay hold on the promises of God and cling to them despite the adversity that at times seeks to overwhelm us.”

I thought of this quote recently as I thought about the choices we make – those in the moment choices. You know the ones, they require split second timing. Most often, this is when our actions and reactions reveal the true content of our heart. No matter how much we may want to deny, or excuse the reality of these moments – we can’t.

Our true heart and thoughts are revealed in those defining seconds. We choose what is hidden in our hearts, even if long hidden or denied. Repeatedly ignoring wrong thinking in overwhelming moments will result in the anaesthetizing of our conscience. We begin to deny our reality – our sinful thoughts. We justify them and we forget sin is waiting, crouched, reclined and resting at the door of our hearts ready to resume its control over us. Crouched like a domesticated dog.

There is a very good reason the Lord calls us to be disciplined, to guard our hearts, and to walk wisely. The instruction is given us for our soul’s sake.

Do you take the admonition seriously, or do you on occasion pet the dog, or deny it is lying at your feet. Make your choice. I advise you choose righteousness and godliness. Choose Christ! It is a choice, we choose what we prefer, what we deeply prefer in those overwhelming, trying and difficult moments. It is the exposing of the depths of who and what we are – we choose the thing that will alleviate or change our difficulty, or what will help us endure!

What do you choose?

They hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD (Proverbs 1:29).
Sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it (Genesis 4:70).
"How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple? How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing and fools hate knowledge (Proverbs 1:22).
Everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God. (John 3:20-21).
Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you (2 Timothy 1:13-14).
I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:27).
Choose this day whom you will serve … as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD (Josiah 24:5).