When Trusting Jesus Isn't Sweet

“Life is pain, highness. Anyone who says differently is selling something.” 
- The Princess Bride

It's funny... and yet piercingly true, right?

Life in a broken world overflows with difficulty. Pain. Heartache. Disappointment. Broken relationships. Failed health. Crushed dreams.

Have you found that trusting Jesus is more terrifying and even agonizing than you ever imagined? That the joy you were told trust would produce is not the reality in your heart?

You're not alone. This is a common struggle, especially in long seasons of suffering.

It isn’t easy to trust in the dark, to surrender our will and release control. Yet in the darkness, God  becomes our light (Ps. 112:4, 18:28). He longs to bring us to a place of security and rest much more satisfying than our push for our own little kingdoms.

Today, trusting Jesus doesn’t have to be "sweet". You don't have to fake happiness and joy. It's ok to wrestle or grieve the pain you encounter. Give yourself grace to process and time to learn trust in the caring Father.

But even in your wrestling, keep clinging to God's promises. 

Actively choose to trust His goodness, despite the deep pain and heartache (Ps. 28:7). Even though it may feel like He is against you, remind yourself of the truth that He is always for His children (Rom. 8:31). That everything He does is good (Ps. 119:68). Find truth that you can rest your life on and hold onto it with everything you have. Run to the Father who loves you and walks with you:

"Suffering can decimate your faith and leave you with life-altering doubts about the goodness and power of God. So in your suffering, doubt is a battle worth fighting. Remember, you never fight this battle alone but with the strength that is yours because of the presence and power of the One who gave his life so that you would have everything you need even in the darkest of moments in this fallen world. Cry out to your Lord. He hears; he really does. Run to him; he cares and will not turn his back on you in your moment of need." Paul Tripp 

Through that wrestling and clinging in the darkness, God does His deepest, most beautiful work. He gently brings your heart to a place of rest. So even if today trusting Jesus isn't sweet, one day you will be able to sing:

'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word
Just to rest upon His promise,
Just to know, "Thus saith the Lord!"
Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I've proved Him o'er and o'er
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!
-'Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus

Oh for grace to trust Him more. We all need that grace today.