I was instructed in "trust" during the early days of my medical practice, when I was frequently called upon, at night, to make medical "rounds" at a large Tuscaloosa (Alabama) hospital. One of the hospital attendants that I would frequently see, on one of the wards, was a young Black orderly. He and I, after a number of casual conversations, became aware that both of us were interested in "religion", and God, and the Bible. He told me about his "trust" in God..... and about his "internal" awareness of the presence of God, and about his guidance by God. He explained that he had come to the point, in his spiritual understanding, that he no longer perpetually worried about whether he was "doing" what God wanted him to do, or whether he was "being" what God expected of him. He became so "convinced" of his irreversible acceptance by God, that he developed a satisfaction -- he called it "joy" -- in his personal life -- and in his life with his family. He explained to me that he genuinely felt that what he did, and where he went, and how he functioned in life...... were all planned and guided by God. He spoke to me frequently about his spiritual life, and his closeness to God. He helped me to learn, and to understand better about "trusting in God". (Later, as time passed by, and I would see this now-older hospital attendant only from time to time, he would always greet me "hello", or bid me "good-bye", with the same beautiful reminder: "I will trust in the Lord".)

So, I was taught -- and now I better understand, what "trust" is -- a deep and genuine feeling that I exist for God's purposes.... and that God cares about me, personally, and that He protects me, and that He teaches me, and that He molds me, and that He leads me "in paths of righteousness".... all for God's own sake, and for His own reasons.

I have learned, subsequently, that my "trusting" God does not mean that nothing "bad" will ever happen to me, or to my family, or to my humanly plans. Experience has taught me that I do not always "see" God, when He is present, and when He is changing things in my life. I have learned that what may seem (to me) to be "bad" today, almost invariably turns out, "tomorrow", to be a frank and obvious blessing.... or a clear guiding and molding in my life -- for God's own purposes (which I may not have "seen", or understood, at the beginning). (See link: God, the source of "good" and "evil".)

"Trusting" means accepting what happens in your life as a manifestation of what God wants, and plans, for you. "Trust" means being "thankful" for whatever occurs, as is said in 1 Thessalonians 5: 18, "Give thanks in all circumstances.... for this is God's will for you, in Christ Jesus."

"Trusting" is not always easy, when "the going gets rough". "Trusting" God, and trusting in God, can truly challenge one's faith. But.... "challenges" to faith -- in God's people -- invariably lead to greater faith, and greater "understanding".... and ultimately, to greater "trust".

"Trust" is not simply a "belief" in "religion", or a faith in "the church". "Trust" is not pride in your own efforts; and "trust" is not personal satisfaction, within yourself, that you have done enough to become "acceptable" to God. "Trust" is not something that you pretend, or invent, or manufacture.... for yourself. "Trust" cannot be generated by reciting creeds, or by being baptized, or by joining a church.

My belief is that "trust", like faith, begins and develops along with one's own spiritual "evolution".... which is under the control of God.... for each of God's people, individually.

I consider "trust", like faith, to be a gift from God -- given to those whom God has accepted to be His own. (See CHOSEN by God; linked).

So.... remember what my friend at the hospital always said to me, expressing his deep understanding: "I will trust in the Lord."

11/2/06