trust

Good morning!

A friend and I were discussing back and forth what it means to trust in God. It is such an overused and common clause but what does it actually look like to trust in God?

One of the things that separates us from animals that operate off of instincts is our ability to reason or use our understanding. The reptilian brain is the brain that operates off of instinct and “the flesh” whereas humans were blessed with this brain that includes, among other things, a prefrontal cortex. We reason and understand and make decisions off of more than just instinct. 

Sometimes we do get trapped in a cycle of working off of instinct, though. Some may say that your instinct is all you need. Trust your gut or go with your heart! But, what if your gut and your heart microbiome got infected? Lol. Sorry, for the mix of metaphors but it made sense to me as I was thinking of it! Let me backup a bit. If you aren’t aware of the gut microbiome, it is basically all the little bacteria that inhabit the lining of our guts and has a huge effect on so many aspects of our physical and mental health. Our gut is often referred to as our second brain due to the feedback loops that are built into us. 

Our gut microbiome can get unhealthy though from what we put into our bodies, among other things. So, metaphorically, what if our “gut” or “heart” has been infected by what we have allowed into it. Perhaps our understanding or reasoning has become unhealthy.

God gave us a will that we can use to go our own way or submit to Him and His ways. How do we know what His ways are? The Word of God. He gave us the blueprint. We just choose whether we follow it or not. 

To me, trusting in God, then, means not just going with my gut or my heart. It is not leaning on my own understanding, but trusting what He says in His Word. It is redefining how I interpret things that happen in my life or the world according to how God sees it. If I truly believe that God will work all things for my good, then even the things that I don’t understand right now will be a part of His master plan.

Kids, before they become older and more influenced by the world, for the most part just trust that their parents will take care of them and give them what they need. They don’t have the means or the power to control their lives and so they lean on their parents to give them what they need.

We are told to trust like kids. We have a perfect Heavenly Father who knows our needs and wants to provide everything we need. But, just as a good parent does not always give everything the kid wants when he wants it, so our Heavenly Father knows what is best for us. 

Our feelings are part of God’s design for us but allowing them to rule us (follow your heart, go with your gut mentality) is not the best way. Let feelings be signals, not masters. Test them and let them lead you to the truth!

Where has your “microbiome” of your head or heart been negatively influenced by what you have allowed into it? How can you start to heal that “microbiome”?

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2