You Want Me to Do What Now? Trusting God when it doesn’t make sense

Have you ever been a season of life where trusting God seemed impossible? Perhaps you’ve had a complete shift in life, and you’re headed down a path you never expected, wondering where are you God?

I’ve been there. In fact, I find myself there as I write these words.

Trusting God is not always easy, but Psalms 2 reminds us that it is always worth it. Keep reading to find out how trusting God can change your life, today.

Scripture

Psalms 2

“Why do the nations conspire, and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth rise up and the rulers band together against the Lord and against his anointed, saying, “Let us break their chains
and throw off their shackles.”

The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. He rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, “I have installed my king on Zion, my holy mountain.”

I will proclaim the Lord’s decree:

He said to me, ‘You are my son; today I have become your father. Ask me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will break them with a rod of iron; you will dash them to pieces like pottery.’

Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear and celebrate his rule with trembling. Kiss his son, or he will be angry, and your way will lead to your destruction, for his wrath can flare up in a moment.

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.”

Observation

Though the world may seemingly conspire against us, especially when it feels like the weight of life’s despair is trying to pull us down into the depths of darkness, the Lord sits on His throne, laughing.

How dare anyone conspire evil against Him and His chosen people.

For it is God who controls all, and if we stay close to Him, He will remain our protection and source of wisdom.

Application

Today was one of those days where trusting God felt impossible, and everything was falling apart. Surely my enemies prevailed over me – so I laid down in the pit of my turmoil and allowed despair to take over.

Why God?
Why my husband? Why my brother?

Then the Lord spoke clearly:
“Why not you? Why not them? Are you greater than I? My ways are not your ways, and you do not see what I see. But if you trust me, I will show you in time.”

My heart was uplifted and sunken at the same time because I want to understand now. I want to know now. But, at the same time I am comforted in knowing that the God we serve is so much bigger than any of us can see.

Have you ever felt this way – torn between despair and joy as you struggle to embrace God’s decision?

It’s more common than one might think actually. The truth is, we may not always understand why things happen the way that they do, but there is one thing we can be sure of….

God is in complete control.

Fake it till you make it – Trusting God even when you don’t…

If you’re saying, easier said than done, I’m with you.

When I originally wrote this post, I was operating out of a “fake it till you make it” mentality. I kept telling myself “I believe God, I believe God, I believe God.”, all the while wondering when I would actually believe God.

That was until Thanksgiving…

My sister-in-law, an avid bible study champ who loves to dive deeper into God’s Word on the daily, was telling me about a book she had come across at her local library called the Talmud.

Personally, I had never heard of it, but maybe you have. As she was telling me how to Talmud was the background of religious text that Jewish leaders used along with the scriptures, I thumbed through the pages.

Suddenly, a subheading catches my eye: “Trust in God.”

As I began to read, my brain became so captivated with the story that I completely, inadvertently, tuned out my sister-in-law (sorry sis, love you 😘).

Trusting in God

There was a man known as “Rabbi Jochanan, son of Levi, fasted and prayed to the Lord that he might be permitted to gaze on the angel Elijah, he who had ascended alive to heaven.”

Essentially, Rabbi Jochanan wanted to go around with the angel Elijah to see everything that he was doing. But Elijah resisted saying, “No, you won’t understand what I’m doing, and you’ll ask too many questions.” Rabbi Jochanan begged and pleaded with Elijah saying he’ll abide by all of the rules and won’t ask any questions (mhmmm, sure).

Finally, Elijah agrees and off they go.

World to world, and place to place they travel. Then one night they stopped to stay with a lowly man and his wife. The man and his wife had very little possessions, and nothing in the way of assets, except a cow. The man treated Elijah and Rabbi Jochanan very well, feeding them a grand meal and ensuring they had a comfortable place to sleep.

Now the next morning, Elijah rose up early and prayed to God for several hours, and when he finished his prayer, their cow dropped dead.

Curiosity set in and Rabbi Jochanan began to ask questions but was quickly reminded by Elijah of their agreement (if he asks questions he goes home and Elijah leaves him).

As they continued to travel, they came across another home to stay in, this time occupied by a rich and greedy man. This man gave them only a piece of bread and a glass of water for dinner and showed them no kindness. Not even speaking to them!

The next morning, Elijah noticed that this man had a large hole in his wall that needed fixing and sent for a carpenter. Upon completion of the repair, Elijah paid for the carpenter as repayment for the hospitality they had received.

Uhm, what?!

After several more interactions much like these two, finally Rabbi Jochanan could no longer hold his tongue.

“You need to explain this to me.”, Rabbi Jochanan said, with frustration (I assume).

Elijah, accepting Rabbi Jochanan’s choice, responds, “Listen and learn to trust in God, even though you can’t not understand His ways.

We first entered the house of the poor man, who treated us so kindly. Know that it had been decreed that on that very day his wife should die. I prayed unto the Lord that the cow might prove a redemption for her; God granted my prayers, and the woman was preserved unto her husband.

The rich man, whom next we called up, treated us coldly, and I repaired his wall. I repaired it without a new foundation, without digging to the old one. Had he repaired it himself he would have dug, and thus discovered a treasure which lies there buried, but which is now for ever lost to him.

Now, if you see the wicked prospering, be not envious; if you see the righteous in poverty and trouble, be not provoked or doubtful of God’s justice. The Lord is righteous, His judgments all are true; His eyes note all mankind, and none can say, ‘What dost thou?'”

Then Elijah left and Rabbi Jochanan was alone.

Dimly – As If Through A Darkened Mirror

I don’t know how you felt reading this story, but I was struck by the profound revelation God had just given me.

I know there are things God sees that we done. And I know His ways are higher than ours. But upon reading this story, something shifted in my heart.

I realized that God has so much mercy that we cannot see.

When I think about the first couple, I wonder if they felt despair after losing something so important to them. Did they question God, or did they praise Him?

If they knew what God did, they would have praised Him for His mercy. Right?

Now, I see the deaths of my husband and brother through different eyes.

While I won’t go into the whole story here (maybe in another post), I will say that both my husband and brother struggled in ways that would break many of God’s strongest soldiers, yet they continued to fight.

But when God saw the tiredness of their hearts, He mercifully gave them rest.

Was my heart ready? Absolutely not! In my own selfishness I would have them here with me. But I now imagine the peace and calm that they have with Jesus.

No longer are they in physical, mental, or emotional pain. No longer does shame and guilt ring through their minds. And no longer do they carry the burden of hurt and pain caused by the judgement of others.

They are at peace. And to me, that is mercy.

Maybe today, you’re struggling to accept God’s decision about something in your life. Maybe you’ve been asking Him why. And that’s okay! God welcomes your questions, and He understands your why better than anyone. So, it’s okay if you ask…

But also know, He knows what He is doing, and we can trust Him.

Practical Steps to Trusting God

Trusting God isn’t about ignoring our pain; it’s about surrendering to His plan, even when we don’t understand. Here’s how you can lean into trust:

1. Pray Honestly: Bring your questions and doubts to God. He can handle them.
2. Reflect on Scripture: Use passages like Psalms 2 and Proverbs 3:5-6 to anchor your faith.
3. Journal Your Journey: Write down moments when you felt God’s mercy, even if it took time to see.
4. Surround Yourself with Faithful People: Share your burdens with those who can remind you of God’s goodness.

Surrender is what it takes

“So now, kings, be wise; receive instruction, you judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with reverential awe and rejoice with trembling.”

We do not tremble the way our enemies do, but with awe because we know God is in control.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5

When we choose to trust God with our lives (regardless of our circumstances) we release the pressure and weight of the world.

Jesus says, “Come to me all who are heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.”

Your enemies will not prevail against you, “the one enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord ridicules them. Then He speaks to them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath.”

So my friend, if you’re struggling today, know this:

God sees you…
He loves you, and…

He is with you – always.

We’d Love to Hear from You

When did you find it most challenging to trust God in your life? Are you there right now?

Did the story of Elijah and Rabbi Jochanan change your perspective on what it really means to trust God? And what actions can you take walk in that trust, even when it feels hard?

For me, whenever the questions pop up in my mind or I find myself questioning God’s goodness, I will bring it to Him. As my heavenly Father, I know He can handle our questions, and He is kind enough to answer if we give Him the time.

What about you? What questions do you hope God will answer for you today?

Share your thoughts in the comments below. Your story could encourage someone else to trust God’s plan in their own season of uncertainty.