Can I Really Trust God?

Sharon JaynesMamma Moments with God, Prayer, Trusting God 171 Comments

Have you ever asked God to take care of a situation, but then found yourself holding on to it so tightly you got in His way? I sure have. I’ve prayed for various situations and then tried to fix them myself. Not a good idea.

I saw a great example of that when my son was in elementary school. A gaggle of eight-year-old boys were playing on the playground in our backyard when Steven came running into the house with his hand over his eye.

“A piece of bark got in my eye! Get it out! Get it out!” he cried.

“Son, you’re going to have to take your hand away if you want me to remove the bark.”

“No, don’t touch it,” he cried. “It’ll hurt!”

“It already hurts,” I replied. “Now take your hand away so I can get it out.”

Steven kept his hand over his eye and went back and forth between “get it out” and “don’t touch it” for about twenty-five minutes. Finally, the pain overcame the fear, and he decided to trust me. It took twenty-five minutes for me to convince him to remove his hand and 5 seconds for me to remove the speck of bark.

As he ran back out into the yard to play, I saw myself in Steven’s struggle. So many times, when I have a pain causing problem, I cry out to God, “Get it out! Get it out!” At the same time, I hold on to it so tightly, He can’t. It’s really a matter of trust.

Peter wrote: “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you,” (1 Peter 5:7 NLT). Another translation says, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (NIV). The Greek word translated “give” or “cast” in this verse means to forcefully throw. There’s nothing timid about that. We can’t cast all our worries on God or give them to God and hang onto them at the same time. At some point, we must decide which one it will be.

Ponder the words to this anonymous poem:

Just as my child brings his broken toys with tears for me to mend.

I took my broken dreams to God, because He was my friend.

But then instead of leaving Him in peace to work alone,

I hung around and tried to help with ways that were my own.

At last I snatched them back and cried, “How could you be so slow?”

“What could I do, my child,” he said, “You never would let go.”

When it comes to God, you can trust Him. He is the same yesterday today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). He will never leave us or forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8). He says what He means and means what He says. God cares for you unceasingly, provides for you immeasurable, and loves you unconditionally. And You can trust Him.

And so, God asks us, will you trust Me? Will you trust me with that struggle in your child’s life? With that rebellion? That attitude? That relationship? That health issue? With that speck in the eye? Will you remove your hand so I can use mine?

And we finally whisper, Yes Lord. I trust You. I’ll let go.

Father, I trust You. I open my hands filled with worried and fears and give them to You. I will not snatch them back. I will not question Your timing. I give them all to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Think of a time when you had to remove a splinter from a finger, piece of glass from a foot, or speck of bark from a child’s eye. Did the person fight you even though they knew you were trying to help? Do you see any similarities between a child’s apprehension and your attitude when you bring a problem to God?

If you’re willing to trust God with your current worries and concerns, leave a comment and say, “Lord, I trust You! I’m letting go!”  

We know being a mom in today’s culture is trying, tiring, and tremendously rewarding all at the same time. Discouragement weighs heavy. Loneliness looms large. Frustration tangles emotions. That’s why we need Christian sisters to lock arms with us on the journey—cheerleaders who shout you can do it, keep going, don’t give up! That’s why we need our Heavenly Father who says, I see what you’re going through, I’m right here with you, and I am so proud of you.

 My new 90-day devotional book, “Mamma Moments with God,” is just the hug moms need. In this beautiful hardback book, I share highly relatable stories—momma moments—from my own life, as well as Bible verses, prayers, reflection questions, and journaling pages. Every day invites a time to pause and focus on a parenting theme such as dealing with disappointment, relying on God, receiving and offering grace, and having courage to move into a new season.

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Comments 171

  6. Yes, Lord I trust you. I’ve been praying for 9 months or more for a home, a divorce to be final (after biblically trying to reconcile, only to be deceived and lied to by my spouse again and again),…I am weak and weary is an understatement. I give it to God then cry and cry because i see no progress. But God is faithful..and is more than able to provide. Thank you for this devotion.

    Reply

    1. Debbie God is faithful. I walked the path you are walking. Hold tight to Him and His promises, and let go of the rest as best you can. He understands. He went through the pain of rejection and separation. He will see You through. I promise. He wants you fully. I will pray for you.

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    2. God’s Will, God’s Way, God’s Timing (that patience thing is a hinderance. But when we wait for Him, regardless how long, it is better. Different circumstances but I trust in him. I just wish His timing was mine. Just recently read/was reminded that the waiting and struggle produces endurance. See you on the other side of that!

      Reply

  7. I am struggling at work with pride and insecurity so I seem to be on the defensive. Please pray for me so that my co-workers can see Jesus in me.

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    1. Lord, this message was for me, it was confirmation of what I know I need to put my trust in You alone, and to cast all my cares, worries, and frustrations to you..

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  17. “Lord, I’m trusting you and letting go!”
    Forgive me for all the times I try to fix things in my life and the ones I love, when its yours and your timing! Thank you Sharon for this wonderful reminder today. I needed this as I’m sure all who read this today have been there. God Bless you all sisters in Christ.

    Debbie L

    Reply

    1. Lord, I fully trust You are with me in my trial! I’m letting go and I have faith you will help me with putting my whole faith and trust in you. In Jesus name Amen

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  19. Yes, I want to let go. I need to let go. Lack of complete, absolute trust has led to worry, to fear, to anxiety, to depression, to doubt in my life for so long. But I don’t know how to “let go and let God.” I will still try to take back the problems I give to Him. I will still want my timing, not His. I have more years behind me than I have before me, and it’s high time I let go and live the life God wants for me.

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  20. Pray today as I’ve been fighting a very sad serious situation that I put in our Lords Hands months ago. & NO, it has not gotten better but worse- YES I took over my way which has NOT helped but caused me more stress, tears. physical problems!!
    This morning our loving Father put your devotion with poem in my hands & NOW my TRUST is renewed as I do trust Him with my all as I’ ve seen Him answer my prayers many times through 87 years! Please pray for situation to work according to His plans & that it be resolved with love for my love ones! Thank you, precious Father for your love & this reminder to get out of Your way!!!!!

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  22. Thanks to God for His great powerful love to move us out of His way; so He can get His job done and gone.
    All thanks to King Jesus.
    Thank you Sharon Jaynes.
    Lord, I trust you. I’m letting go. What is impossible for man, for our families, for our brothers and sisters, for our neighbors, for a dead world, for God all things are possible. Glory to King Jesus

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  31. Good morning, and” Thank You” for your words of encouragement today.. Am currently in situations where I have to let go and trust in the Lord more, so this message came right on time..

    Lord, I trust You! I’m letting go!”

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  33. Wow! I’m so glad the Holy Spirit lead me to this devotional. For years I’ve struggled with waiting on God regarding marriage and having a family, especially while in my 30s. I finally came to the acceptance that I won’t have the “romance that I dreamed of” and I’m at peace with that disappointment. Yet, I keep going back and forth with thoughts of “God I entrust this situation in your hands” to “ I’m just going to freeze my eggs or get artificial insemination.” But after reading this my heart’s can’t help but say, ok Lord I trust you. Now I just need the endurance to keep going and persistently hope that something will actually happen.

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  35. Lord I trust you, I ‘m letting go.
    Tomorrow my husband is having a PET scan cause he has stage 3 melanoma, third year. I am letting go and letting God take care of this.

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  36. I have been dealing with a difficult situation for a month that I realized yesterday is totally out of my control. A decision that will impact my family for the next 15-20 years is in the hands of someone who should not have the power or audacity to force their will in this situation but here I am feeling helpless and at the mercy of someone who cares nothing about honoring their commitment. I have prayed throughout the past month for God to intervene on our behalf and tried to negotiate a positive resolution but the situation has only worsened. So today I am giving up. Lord I trust you, I will step out of your way and I am giving it to you!

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  37. Releasing that tight, firm grip on things is so hard. My husband works for an elected official. Every election cycle, his job is in jeopardy. As we get older, uncertainty about the future is harder. I pray I can release my anxiety and concerns. My heart and my mind know God’s plans are higher than mine.

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  38. Lord I Trust You. I’m letting Go!! Let Go and Let God!! How do I know when to get the speck of bark out of my son’s eye and when to pray and let God do it?? because when it says faith without work is dead. Do I do what I can do as a human Mom in the moment or do I pray with my child in that moment to teach them to go to God? And what about God uses people? I need discernment of how much I suppose to do and when to back off and let God take over. I need prayer to see this with clarity. I know that God got my son, But its not clear to me:I’m bringing my concerns and worries to God who created my son with special needs.Knowing that God can open the door for him to get a job that God will give him favor like Joseph and that God will send the right people to help him get that job. How much do I do after I fill out tons of applications and have not heard anything and now my son wants to be out in the street because He doesn’t have enough to do and I have to work. So I’ve hired someone to help apply, while still praying. I’ve taking him for interviews, I’m asking my church if they know people who actually work at a job that can help him get his foot in the door. Am I doing too much?????

    Reply

    1. Cathy, I feel your pain. My son does not have special needs per se, but in a way, he really does. He has no confidence in himself while at the same time, he thinks too much of himself. He knows he can do things but is afraid to really try. He says he is afraid of success because then people (and he) will expect more of him. He has a very low-paying job and no prospects, no degree, no identifiable skills. I don’t know what to do either. I pray constantly but he keeps failing. I guess he is not ready for the blessings yet. All we can do is keep praying and TRUST that God has a plan. No matter what we do or don’t do, God’s plan is stronger. Keep the faith, fight the good fight, and trust completely in Him. I will pray for you, dear sister.

      Reply

    2. Cathy- I struggle with these same things. Does trusting God and letting go mean doing nothing? I’ve done both, acted and not acted, trusted and doubted, yet everything seems to be a disaster. Trying to believe that what I see in the natural is not what God sees, that His ways are not my ways, and He has a better plan that is in the works.
      I pray that you have tangible answers and that God gives you the discernment to know when to act and step out in faith and when to “do nothing”. Just know that you are not alone in your struggles, and that God sees AND hears you,

      Reply

  41. Lord I trust you and I am letting go. Trusting you with my daughter Ellie. You know her mental and physical struggles and I place her in your hands. Heal and restore in Jesus name. Thank you!

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  44. Jesus, Lord!
    Thank you for watching over the surgery this morning. Your care and love envelop the patient and the family.

    Let us continue to trust that You’ve got this! Thank You for Your arms around.

    In Your Loving Name! Amen!

    Reply

  54. Lord I trust you and am letting go. Please help my mind not overtake my heart and trusting you with all things. I raise a hallelujah! Through Jesus all things are possible. He sees us for who we really are.

    Reply

  55. Needed this devotion today after oncology visit yesterday.. Right on time!

    Lord, I trust you! I’m letting go!

    Reply

  57. Trusting and letting go! That is exactly what I was struggling with when I posted my daily Instagram yesterday. (@julannek) I think I have done both and then find my self trying to regain control. Sometimes it’s a daily struggle so your blog today was perfect for me!

    Reply

  59. Such a relatable, gentle reminder of our Lord’s patience & devotion to each of us 🩷… Lord, I TRUST YOU 🙏!

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  78. Lord I trust you. Please pray God will give me the desire of my heart. I just want the woman I love to love me too.

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  79. Lord I trust you for my next job & weight loss struggles. I’m letting go & letting God. You are my provider, way maker & miracle worker! You have the final say & can do the Impossible. I surrender it all to you & am grateful to you my Lord Christ and SAVIOR! 🙏🏾🙌🏽🫶🏽

    Reply

    1. Lord, I trust you. Help me let go.
      I know my timing is not yours but as a Mom it’s so hard to not feel in control and not try to do anything and everything I can for my children.

      Reply

  83. Lord, you know I’ve been finding it difficult to trust you in all things, not just the big things but little too. I pray for your help.

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  88. Lord I trust you! I am trying so hard to learn to let go. You have always so faithfully been there for me! Thank you Sharon for this beautiful message. Lord please heal my sisters in Christ lives! Amen

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  89. Lord I trust you! I am trying so hard to learn to let go. You have always so faithfully been there for me! Thank you Sharon for this beautiful message. Lord please heal my sisters in Christ lives! Amen

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  93. Lord I trust you in marriage – even if I don’t see anything changing – you are good at being God – I am not – help me to let go of the control

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  95. Lord I trust you I’m letting go I have been praying for my son James to get a job and praying that my granddaughter Jordan will finally have something to do with me after I raised her she won’t have anything to do with me I got replaced by money I reached out to her and her brothers and sister and they still won’t answer I’m taking my hands off

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  97. Lord, I trust You! I’m letting go!” Have your way in my life, health, marriage, children and finances.

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  98. Yes Lord. I trust You. I’ll let go. If the toxic job and trust You are placing me in a new position with the income I need and the ability to assist.my mom in her cancer battle as well as helping my daughter gain independence despite high functioning autism. I trust the darkest depression that has made the last several weeks nearly unbearable has become the brightest hope in You. There are more words, more prayers, seemingly unending within me. You already know. God, I can hardly breathe these days. I have been so angry. I sleep to escape the raw ugliness of my emotions. Today, actually this moment, is all I can guarantee. Yes, Lord, I trust You. I will let go. Help me to hold on God. I am tired of…me. I believe in You. Now help me to truly take hold of the knowledge You believe in me. Because lately, I feel alone and depleted. I will let go and trust You.

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  105. Lord I trust you ! I’m letting go of my fear of failing in my current role, my relationships, my finances and trying to figure things out instead of waiting for you to do what’s best for me. I love you Father God and I trust you

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  109. Lord I trust you and I will not be afraid 🙏🏾.
    I trust you with my doctor’s appointment on tomorrow.

    I trust you with my children’s lives.

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  111. Lord, I trust you with my son and his addiction. I’m letting go. Your timing is perfect. Keep him safely in your arms.

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  114. Hello Sharon,

    Great insight and wonderful message as a reminder, to forcefully throw cares.

    Lord, give me the creative ability and work through me, I belong to you. I trust you.

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  117. Yes Lord yes Lord!!! Please help me to let go! I see what happens when I do…peace!! You have given us a sound mind so help me to cast all my cares on you!! You know everyone Lord, please help me get out of my way! Heal my eye and back and my marriage. You are waymaker miracle worker!

    Reply

  118. My son is on drugs and I had taken him to rehab but nothing has changed. I have prayed to God but often felt my prayer is not answered. I feel like I’m not a good good parent and often ask myself if it’s all my fault, maybe I didn’t raise him well. I’m willing to let go and trust God for His intervention.

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      It is not your fault. We are not responsible for our adult children’s actions. Say that over snd over.

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  120. I’ve been having a hard time letting go and trusting God when our daughter (who was raised in a Christian home) just announced that she has only same sex attraction… How do we deal with this blow? How do we “let go and let God.” We pray for discernment; do we talk to her or just pray and leave it in Gods hands? Our hearts are broken…We can’t even share it with our families… please pray… there are days I feel like I can’t even breathe.. I have wept, I have travailed in prayed, I have screamed and I have asked God “why.?” I know I serve a God who is “able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all we ask or think” … how do I let go and let God when this is my only daughter? And I know He has much better plans for her, but nothing seems to be happening… everyday I am looking for a miracle!

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  123. Lord, I trust you today with all of my concerns and thanks for this day. Let me do what I can to serve you.

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  128. Lord, I trust You. I’m letting go. Both of my adult children are far away from God, and I pray for them every night.

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  130. Lord I trust You, I am letting go all that concerns my family, career, desire for marriage. May You remind me when I attempt to snatch back what I have let go in Jesus’ name Amen

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  131. Thank you Sharon for this devotional. I really needed this. I have self esteem issues and have a hard time letting go and trusting God that I am enough. Thank you to EVERYONE that commented. So many times I feel alone and seeing all of the comments, shows me I am not. It is just the enemy lying to me.

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  132. My 15 yr old left for church camp yesterday for the first time. She does not like to be away from home and she is struggling with fear and anxiety 12 hours away from home. She has texted me non-stop begging for my husband and I to come pick her up. I have been praying for God to move in her and to ease her anxiety. But the constant texts yesterday and this morning are pulling at my heart. I didn’t get to read this yesterday, but just now read the devotional this morning and man I am hear to tell you I needed to read this. I am letting go completely and giving it to God today to do His work with her.

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  135. Lord I trust You. In helping me make the right decision about leaving my church and friends due to changes in the church discipline. Also I trust you in leading my gay granddaughter to Christian friends that will help her realize that she going down the wrong path. She was raised in a Christian home and attended church camps.

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  145. Reading this devotional today made me chuckle. I’ve had a splinter lodged in my thumb for a week. It was painful for three days and after I put some medicine on it, it stopped hurting. So I thought I was fine, although I could clearly see splinter lodged underneath the skin. My Mom, who is a retired nurse, repeatedly told me she could get the splinter from out under my skin using a heated needle. But that sounded too painful so I kept declining. I reasoned that the splinter would eventually find its way out. 😀 Finally I relented. The wisest choice would have been to trust and let go a week ago. I’m still learning.

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  146. I trust you, Lord with my family! I sent this to my son who has a very big decision for he and his growing family. From his response, I could tell it touched his heart. Again, I come back to this devotional and wow! I’m glad I re-read it. Lord, You know exactly what is on my heart and how to handle each and every situation. Oh, how I love you! Thank you for this devotional, Sharon!

    Reply

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