Pride, understanding, and trusting God

Our pride means that we over-reach ourselves concerning what we think we know, understand, and have opinions about (and see the account of original sin in Genesis 3). We believe, quite falsely, that we can understand and explain the world in such a way that captures all things, and all truths. However, as it makes clear in Proverbs 3:5-6, God’s instruction is to: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight." (My emphasis).

Consequently, when we rely on our own understanding, we become disconnected from God because we find it hard to accept that we will not get all the answers from God, and that we cannot grasp the full meaning and purpose of our lives in the world we live (and see Ecclesiastes 1:1-2). For example, we more often than not, do not receive ‘complete’ once and for all answers from God about our personal circumstances and the difficulties, however small or large, we regularly experience. As a result, our lives often feel frustrated and even despairing as if we are being forsaken or abandoned by God (and see Psalm 10; Psalm 22; and Psalm 42). Moreover, because of our over-blown trust in our own understanding, God also often appears to ask too much of us, and is far away.  

So, our faith in God feels difficult, given God’s purposes are often, from our perspective, frustratingly unfathomable (Isaiah 59:2). Therefore, the call for us to obey God can also seem uncertain and unsure as we try to grapple with a God whose purpose is often hidden from us (and see Isaiah 45:15). However, the call to us is to trust God and Christ, with these questions and uncertainties, and ask Him to change us from within, putting faith, not in our own knowledge and understanding, but in the love of God, who - despite our insecurities and struggles - will reach out to us, and hold us, as we rest in His peace, His liberation, and His life-giving spirit. 

If you like this post then go to Steve Smith's blog site disconnectedchristians.blogpost.co.uk for more blog posts and details of his book Nine Steps to Well-Being: A Spiritual Guide for Disconnected Christians and Other Questionining Journeyers 

---