The Word of God tells us, “To each is given a measure of faith.”

Now, let’s not mistake this with “saving faith.” The reference to faith here is to the ordinary, in and out, daily faith by which we live and relate to God and others. Nothing has caused me to reflect on my measure of faith more than the progressive seasons of parenting. My firstborn started high school this year. Let me promise you that fear and faith have wrestled in my heart like never before. The stakes are So. Darn. High! I’ve covered the gamut from moments of nagging worry to sheer panic as I consider him driving (insert vomit emoji), navigating parties, and girls, and substances, and the pressure of sports and academics. I fear losing him – on so many levels.

This new season of letting go has forced me to dissect my faith. It’s revealed the gaps. It’s caused me to grapple with God. From the depth of the dissection have come revealing moments full of if’s, buts, and what about that bring me to my knees before the Lord.

God says, “Your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be their peace.” I find myself confessing, “Lord, what if they don’t choose you?”

God says, “The Lord will keep your children from all harm. He will watch over their life; the Lord will watch their coming and going both now and forevermore.” I find myself desperately crying out; Lord please forgive my unbelief as I allow and entertain thoughts like, “But, what about moms who prayed over their kids and still lost them?”

Let’s broaden the context. Maybe you resonate with the struggle I’m growing through. For you, though, it’s something else at stake? Perhaps you can’t pay the bills and wonder if the Provider still provides? Maybe your marriage is collapsing before your very eyes, and you wonder if all things truly can be redeemed? Perhaps you’ve worked on your health tirelessly yet still aren’t healed and wonder how near to the brokenhearted God is? I don’t know what your if, but or what about could be, but if you have one, the lesson that leads to liberty is the same for you as it is for me. Begin with faith.

Without unwavering faith, you can’t expect fully surrendered trust. Working on faith must precede working on trust.

You’ve got to ask yourself the hard questions. Yes, they are uncomfortable, even scary, because with them comes answers that can rock us to our core.

Do I really believe that God is good?

Do I believe that His word is true?

Do I believe my prayers make a difference?

Do I trust Him more than I trust my control, abilities, observations?

Building faith and strengthening trust often come one word, one declaration at a time. Fear pounds in with intensity that feels like a tourniquet on your heart. Anxious thoughts and tormenting taunts tempt you with what could happen that threatens to steal your very breath. What’s a gal after God’s own heart to do in those moments?

Simply say, “Lord, I will trust you.”

You may have to say it 1,700 times a day to gain back your faith ground. You may have to accept that feelings won’t always agree with the words. There will be moments when you’re so gripped that the words can barely be muttered. But, with each declaration, you reclaim what’s yours. One by one, you gain strength and peace. Each time you speak a simple statement of faith over fear, a treasure is deposited into the Kingdom. When you speak out of faith, you reap trust.

Self-reliance is a dead end. Most agree on that. We simply can’t fall prey to doubt that threatens to undermine the necessity to give ALL to God. All means our kids, our spouse, our health, our finances, our future, our singleness, our childlessness, our ministry, our parents, our purposes. All of it belongs at the foot of the cross, no matter how easy, no matter how hard.

Today, in times of doubt, remember God’s promises. Recall who He has always been. If you keep running to him, even amid fear, doubt, and uncertainty, He will continually show Himself trustworthy.

Today, simply pray, “Lord, I will trust you.”