I have written a lot about trust and where one places one’s trust. As I explore the essence of trust and its importance, new perspectives emerge. In my book Solomon’s Recipe, I delve into the placement of trust in the Lord in what is really an untrustworthy world. But I am learning that simply understanding and accepting the value of placing an authentic trust in the Lord is not enough. It is critical for us to have a “functional trust” in the Lord.
I will in this article explore functional trust, what it is, why it’s important and how to attain it and maintain it for our own good.
But first I think it worthwhile to note some foundational facts that will open the way for my exploration. I pose the question: what comes first, trust or faith? Scriptura tells us that faith is a gift from God.
Romans 12:3 New King James Version
Serve God with Spiritual Gifts
3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
1 Corinthians 12:8-9 New King James Version
8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,
Ephesians 2:8 New King James Version
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
It appears to me that since faith is a gift of God, then faith is untouchable by the evil one. Faith has the power of God. It is a gift for the recipient to use, protect, deepen within, and rejoice in. Sadly, it can be given up and lost. But how and why would one do that? This is where trust enters the discussion. Trust is something we develop and build as we edify the gift of faith. As faith gives us experiences to see the reality of God’s love for us, trust in Him evolves and deepens over time. So, if faith is protected from the evil one, just how does he, Satan, get to us to give up the gift of faith? How does he threaten our faith and cause us to lose it? The answer is trust. The evil one attacks our trust in the Lord. Now with this as our context let’s explore trust.
What is “functional trust”? When we think of function, we consider how effectively something works to achieve its intended purpose. A car for instance has the purpose of conveying its owner or user from one place to another. When all its parts and components are working in harmony, the vehicle is “functional” in moving the driver from one place to another efficiently, safely and in reasonable comfort. The car has thousands of critical components that must work together to accomplish its functionality.
Looking at trust, there are components to trust that require it to be “functional”. So, let’s start with the question: What is the function of trust? And what is the function of trust in the Lord?
Trust is meant to provide confidence and a living hope that the Lord will provide perfectly and precisely exactly what we need when I place those needs into His hands. When I place my trust in the Lord, I should be perfectly content and at peace, void of worry and stressful fretting over what shall happen next.
I am reminded of this scripture passage:
Matthew 6:31-33 New King James Version
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
This passage calls for functional trust. Trust that works inspires one to follow this word from Jesus placing our priorities on spiritual things.
Psalm 119:37+ 40 New King James Version
37 Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things,
And revive me in [b]Your way.
40 Behold, I long for Your precepts;
Revive me in Your righteousness.
One step in making our trust in the Lord functioning is to cease dwelling on worthless things. I think that the determination of what things are worthless is a personal matter. What is worthless to you may be worthy of value to me in doing the Lord’s bidding. The work of making our trust functional is a very personal matter. As we continue to explore, we need to keep this in mind lest we allow the evil one to insert judgement and thus threaten our trust. We need to soberly evaluate where we focus in life to ensure we avoid getting hooked on worthless things.
But let’s be realistic. Having a robust level of trust is often compromised by our experience with trust in our everyday life. Trust with our fellow man is rife with failure because we live in an untrustworthy world. We don’t have to look at the obvious untrustworthy areas such as politics. We just need to see how trustworthiness has evaporated from our society. The news is overwhelming with rampant theft in our stores and shops. Computers are hacked and money and assets are stolen. Homes are burgled and cars hijacked. It’s a brutal world out there.
When we consider that having our trust functioning on “all cylinders” is a great protection to our faith, we will be compelled to nurture our trust. Being aware of our surroundings can make us alert to the evil one’s attempts to compromise our trust.
I am reminded of one of the great lessons my dad taught me. I published it on my blog (https://www.lifeturningpoints.org/?s=judas) The Judas goat led the lambs in the fields to the best pastures. Then led them to slaughter at the slaughterhouse. That lesson taught me that it was easy to get sucked in to what everyone was doing around me. I learned to become diligent in my decision making, recognizing that not everyone can be trusted.
How can I move from stressful fretting and worry when my trust is less than functional to a truly actively functional trust?
Soberly and honestly reliving one’s experience with placing trust in God is the beginning of developing a functioning trust. It is interesting to see the interactions of faith and trust as they support each other. Let’s look at Jesus and how He expressed His functioning trust.
Jesus exhibits functional trust:
Luke 22:31-32 New King James Version
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
31 [a]And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
Here Jesus knowing the test that Simon Peter was on the brink of failing, Jesus prays for the one and only thing that will get Peter through the test unscathed, FAITH! From this I see that our most critical possession is the FAITH that our loving God has so graciously implanted into our soul. We must protect it and nurture it relentlessly and at all cost.
However, let me draw your attention to the carefully worded message of Jesus to Peter (and us!) where He says “when” referring to His expected success of Peter. He didn’t use “if” which would imply Peter might fail. Such is the absolute confidence Jesus has in the success of His prayers for Peter and you and me! That’s functional trust as its finest.
As we continue our journey deepening the roots of our trust and faith, let’s do so with our “eyes wide open” to the threats of the evil one. Let’s be aware of the gifts of the Spirit and the firm belief that “prayer works”. Let’s stoke our desire and willingness to do the will of God and rejoice in how His love for us abundantly blesses our life.
COPYRIGHT © 2024 ALLAN EDWARD MUSTERER ~ All Rights Reserved
Turning Point
As I explore the scripture and see these truths revealed experience by experience, I stand in awe of our almighty triune God. His love for me, Jesus’ grace and daily prayers for me, and the inspiring presence and guidance afforded by the Holy Spirit are a constant source of confidence deepening trust and faith. Desire for His gifts burn within and it is well with my soul.