Don’t You Trust Me?

Matthew 6:34 - “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

When my oldest daughter was about 4 years old, she suddenly became terrified of the bath. Actually, terrified seems too light of a word.  We weren’t sure what brought it on, but one night, as we were going through our normal routine, she completely freaked out - screaming and climbing out of the tub.  Her whole body was shaking and her heart was pounding.  It took me off guard because I had no idea what was going on.  I checked the water.  Nope, not too hot.  I looked around in the tub.  There was nothing scary there.

And thus began two weeks of the same thing.  I tried everything, but as soon as you would mention "bath" she would start crying hysterically.  After a week or so of this we finally figured out what exactly she was afraid of - the shower head.  It was then that I remembered how recently one of my other children had accidentally turned the shower on while she was in the tub.

We got her to the point that she would get in the tub, but only if the water was already in it and turned off.  But anytime my hand would go near the faucet or knob to turn on the water, the freaking out would commence.

It was so frustrating.  I didn't know what to do or how to help.  We would talk about how the shower is not scary, and I would not turn it on.  She would be fine until it was time to get in the tub.  If she had even the slightest thought I would move near the faucet, screaming would start. 

It doesn't sound as frustrating as it was, but I even cried over the situation.  I didn't know what to do.  I kept praying with and for her, and kept reassuring her that I would NOT turn on the shower!

At one point, I looked her in the eyes as she was crying and said, “Sweetie, Mommy loves you. I have told you I won't turn on the shower.  Don't you trust me?" 

Later that night, I was lying in my bed, praying for everything that was on my heart.  I was praying for my daughter - for the Lord to help me teach her to not be afraid and to trust me.

I was also pouring my heart out to God about a situation my husband and I were in.  We had a lot of uncertainty in our lives.  We had taken a huge step of faith regarding our future, and there were many details that were very unclear.  And I was scared.  I just wanted to know what was going to happen, when everything would come together.  I was worried, and I told God all about it.  

And then it hit me - like a big ol' knock to the head.  It was as if the Lord said to me, "Emily, I love you. I have told you that I will take care of you.  Don't you trust me?"

I literally stopped mid-prayer, opened my eyes, and stared into the darkness of my room.  I knew it then.  Yes, my daughter had a legitimate fear of the shower.  But I felt that we were going through all this for ME to learn this very important lesson.

God has promised in Hebrews 13:5, "...I will never leave you nor forsake you."  He says in Jeremiah 29:11, "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Philippians 4:19 says, "And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."  Jesus says in Matthew 6:34, "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.”

I have known these verses for what seems like forever.  I have quoted them to friends and family when trying to encourage them.  I KNOW these verses.

But now, the Lord is asking me to LIVE them.

Here I was, frustrated because I wanted my daughter to trust me, to believe me when I told her I would not do something to harm her.  I promised her that.  But yet, she still would scream and cry.  And that's pretty much what I was doing with God.

He has told me He has His plans, that He has tomorrow taken care of.  He knows what's best for me.  He is able to take care of it all.  And here I am, crying and whining because I am scared and don't know what is going to happen and if we are going to be okay.  And God is just wanting me to trust Him.

Let me tell you, I immediately asked God to forgive me for my lack of trust, for not resting our family in His capable hands.  I right then and there let our life, future, and family go back into His strong and perfect care.  Immediately I felt an overwhelming sense of PEACE flow over me.

Trusting is not an easy thing to do.  We are usually so desperate to take matters into our own hands.  Then, when we feel everything is completely out of control, we find that stress, heartache, and fear begin to rule our thoughts. 

But when we acknowledge that God is in control, and do not allow those thoughts of worry and fear to control our minds, we will feel such a sense of PEACE.  

I don't know what all is going on in your life.  But I ask you now - is God having to ask you, "Don't you trust me?"  Take it from me.  Just trust Him.  You will never regret.  Never.

Oh, and in case you were wondering, my daughter is no longer afraid of the shower.  She stopped the screaming episodes just a few days after my giving it all back to God. :-)