By Dr. Rebekah McCloud
When I was in high school, my English teacher told us there were four words we needed to eliminate from our vocabulary—so, many, little and thing. She said they didn’t add anything to a conversation or a description. They are fluff and filler words. I’d like to offer two words I believe Christians should eliminate from our vocabulary—trying and can’t. They are in opposition to what the Bible says we can and we will do in Christ Jesus. Amen!
The dictionary says the word try means to make an attempt or effort to do something. Cannot or can’t means unable to do otherwise. Trying and can’t don’t sound like Christ-like actions. Do they?
The Bible is full of promises from God. My English teachers wouldn’t like this sentence, but there are so many little things the Bible says we will do, not try to do, but will do if we remember two little big words: Trust God.
Are you having issues with haters? The Bible says we will be victorious; not try to or can’t be, but we will be victorious because he will make our enemies our footstool. Trust God.
Got some areas in your life where the enemy might get a toehold? James 4:7 says, “resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” It didn’t say try to or can’t do; it says resist and he will flee. Trust God.
Have negative thoughts or negative words filled your heart or clouded your vision? You can overcome them. Proverbs 18:21 says, “death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruits.” It didn’t say would try to eat or couldn’t eat; it said will eat. Trust God.
Are you overwhelmed, weak, weary or afraid? Don’t be. You can find refuge; the Lord is with you. Isaiah 41:10 says, “fear not, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” The scripture didn’t say I going to try to nor did it say I can’t do. Three times it said I will… I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you… Trust God.
So, what does the Bible say about trusting God? In Psalms it says, “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act,” (Psalm 37:5). It also says, “those who know your name put their trust in you,” (Psalm 9:10). Finally, it says, “Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God,” (Psalm 20:7).
In Proverbs it says, “trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6).
The Bible goes on to say, “It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man,” (Psalm 118:8) and “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool …” (Proverbs 28:26). I’m sure if I asked are there any fools in the house, not one hand would be raised. Amen!
I read an article by John UpChurch titled “7 Daily Steps to Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart.”[1] In it he listed the following:
1.Don’t Depend on You
2. Cry out to God
3. Run from Evil
4. Put God First in Your Life
5. Check Yourself by God’s Word
6. Listen to the Holy Spirit
7. Rest in God’s Love
Stewards, we don’t have to try to
do, God will help us to do. He’s our strong tower, our protection and our
strength. He that began a good work in us, will bring it to completion. Amen! The
vamp of one of James Fortune’s songs says: “I can, I will, I must, trust you.”[2] Let’s
stop trying to and saying we can’t do a thing; Nike says, just do it. Remember the two
little big words: Trust God. Amen!
[1] UpChurch, J. (2019). 7 Daily Steps to Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart at https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/7-daily-steps-to-trust-in-the-lord-with-all-your-heart.html.
[2] Fortune. J.(n.d.) I Trust You at http://www.allgospellyrics.com/?sec=listing&lyricid=13017.