“Do you trust Me?” This is a question that I’ve been hearing God ask me on a regular basis. My answer most of the time is “Yes, I trust you, but help me to trust You more.” In reality though, I experience times of doubt, fear, anxiety, and torment like many others where my answer is a little different, it is more like “No Lord, I really don’t.” It is easy to trust God when times are good and everything in life goes smoothly, but when you live in a place where you struggle in just about every area of your life, and emotions rule over your thoughts, life can be frustrating and full of disappointment. When I lose focus on the One who can help and guide me to peace and joy I reflect quite often on what is written in *Proverbs 3:5 Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. 6 In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.* There are days when this turns into my mantra. My prayer for all who read these words and relate on a deep level to what I have shared is, “Dear Lord, when we’re spent and weary of trying so hard to do what we feel that we need to do, You are the One who can truly encourage us. Teach us how to depend on You, to rest in You, and to bask in the sweetness of Your presence. Help us to be wise with the time and resources You have given us, and to be fervent and content in each day’s tasks. Forgive us for the pride that prevents us from finding Your healing and allowing You to work in us and through us. Thank You for giving us friends and loved ones to help share our burdens, help us to allow them to do just that. Most of all, thank You Lord for loving us just as we are, not giving up on us and bringing the conviction to help us to be more like Jesus everyday. In His precious name we pray, and all the saints say, AMEN.” We must remember that God is trustworthy even when we don’t see our prayers answered or problems solved immediately. Our lives are unpredictable and difficult at times, and that may cause us to doubt God. It may even bring us to the end of our strength. So, what do we do then? Wait, trust and remember that our unknown future is in the hands of a loving, compassionate, all knowing God. While praising God is easy when life is going well, true faith is demonstrated by trusting and believing in God even when faced with adversity, pain, or uncertainty. Closing thought, when my trust falters, I seek the truth in the Scriptures. I allow God to remind me who He is and of the promises in His word. God is good, trustworthy and true. Please pray for me to fully lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all my heart and mind and that I may continue to know, recognize, and acknowledge Him in all that I do on a deep and intimate level, and I will pray for all who read these words to do this as well. My BeLoved, may the grace of the Lord Jesus, and the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen. In Christ Love, douglas. HE>i. pastord.blog

Special Note: I want to thank those who read what I write and are encouraged to support the ministry God has entrusted to me either one time or have decided to give on a monthly basis. I am encouraged to see certain verses playing out before my eyes like what is written in *Philippians 4:16 For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. 17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.*

To any who are interested, please feel free to reach out to me with prayer requests, questions, encouragement, or for information on how to come alongside me with financial support at pastord.blog@gmail.com or I do have a Zelle account associated with my phone number, 5202720387 last name Blaser. Thank you my Beloved for your ongoing prayers and support.