Tag: jesus

Created for Rest

We were created for rest. How can we live that out in our busy lives?

I’ll never forget the time one of my friends shared the insight that we were not created to work hard enough to deserve rest, but to participate in rest itself.

Rest doesn’t mean laying around all day being lazy. It means embracing each season without racing ahead. It means taking the time to be still with Jesus each day. It means doing things that fill your soul and bring you joy. It means setting boundaries, even when others don’t understand.

In our bustling society, rest is often considered luxurious. Rarely do we think of not resting as a sin. However, the author of Hebrews counteracts this popular belief:

Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.

Hebrews 4:1

In fact, by resting, we proclaim the good news of Jesus.

That may seem confusing, but hear me out. When we rest, we:

  • Admit that we can’t do everything on our own strength
  • Trust that God will fill in the gaps that we miss during our breaks
  • Abide in the peace that only God can bring
  • Show ourselves love by recognizing and taking care of our needs
  • Love others better because we feel restored ourselves

Last weekend, I went on a retreat for the first time in four years. I certainly underestimated all that God would do during a simple less-than-48-hour period of intentional listening and community and rest.

To be honest, I hardly slept on the well-worn mattress in a lodge shared with spiders. Rest didn’t take the form of sleep during this retreat. But by spending time with God and close friends, I was able to experience peace and remember what joy feels like. Going back into a tough week, I felt strengthened and approached my relationships with grace rather than the impatience that comes from burn-out.

When sharing about my retreat with one of my friends (the same one I quoted earlier, isn’t she brilliant? 😉 ), she remarked, “Isn’t it amazing all God can do when we give Him a weekend?”

Rest allows us to focus on what God is doing in our lives. When we are rushing through our tasks, falling asleep before we can say “amen”, we lose sight of the wonder of our God.

You may not have time to go on a retreat; clearly it took me four years to make space for one. However, there are ways to incorporate rest in your daily routine. Even just setting aside 10-20 minutes at the beginning and end of each day to reflect and spend time with God, or saving an hour each weekend to do what brings you joy may help you feel more refreshed and eager to pursue your faith.

Rest is a free gift from God. Let’s accept it together, shall we?


But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

2 Corinthians 12:9

Why are You in Ministry?

Reflections on participating in ministry.

We are all in ministry.

Yes, even you, even in an office or a classroom or at home. In fact, it often takes different forms over the course of your life. Sometimes it means serving in Sunday school, other times it means caring for a unbelieving family member.

Ministry is often defined in religious settings as working towards bringing people to God and discipling them with God’s love. Everyone, whether people who have grown up in faith or haven’t heard a single word from the Bible, needs to experience God’s ministry.

Here is one definition of ministry: “A person or thing through which something is accomplished” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary). Another word for this is instrumentality, which means the state of being a crucial tool.

In some ways, I like this definition because it reminds us of our purpose as God’s creation to spread the good news of Jesus’ love and sacrifice to others so that their lives can be transformed. However, when we begin to view our ministry as a thing that needs to be accomplished, we lose sight of what really matters.

Yesterday, I had a conversation with a very insightful pastor who shared about a discussion he was having with other sermon-writers about balancing the need to create sermons that both serve the congregation and also allow for the pastors themselves to explore where God’s Spirit is leading and teaching them individually.

While it may seem like a pastor’s main job is to serve the congregation, how much richer would sermons be if pastors wrote them from a place of curiosity and readiness to grow closer to God in their own spiritual journeys?

Though you may not be writing a sermon anytime soon, I believe this approach to ministry is crucial no matter where we serve. Most of my ministry is in the form of creating and teaching lessons for kids. Recently, I’ve found myself overly focused on creating a fun and memorable experience for the kids rather than trying to hear what God is teaching me through these lessons.

This past year has been a season of stepping back and reevaluating why I’m in ministry. Is it to fulfill a hole in my life? Is it to feel needed? Is it because I love God and His people? Is it because I am called?

And what happens when a calling shifts? Does that mean I have to move even if good work is being done?

Last fall, I had been wrestling over whether or not to leave a ministry position at the end of my term, particularly because it had felt like my calling for a period of time and I hadn’t experienced a clear new calling yet. After several events and encounters led me to conclude that it was time to step aside and make room for a new leader, I still had lingering questions in the back of my mind: Am I really supposed to leave? How can I know for sure?

Then it hit me this week, as I’m winding down my time in this position, one question I hadn’t asked myself until now: Is my participation in this ministry bringing me closer to God or hurting my relationship with Him?

Truthfully, while I believe other parts of my life are drawing me closer to God, my recent experiences in this role have not been beneficial to my spiritual wellbeing. They have caused me to get caught up in the “doing” rather than the “being” of relationship with God and others.

I think it’s important for everyone in ministry to periodically reevaluate why they are in ministry. If this is the place where you are at right now, I’m inviting you to ask yourself these questions as honestly as you can:

  1. What originally drew me to this ministry? Do those factors still apply? Have new factors arisen?
  2. How do I feel after participating in this ministry?
  3. Do I still sense a calling from God to stay in this ministry?
  4. Are there other ministries that I am more drawn to?
  5. Is my participation in this ministry bringing me closer to God or hurting my relationship with Him (and others)?

These aren’t questions for the faint of heart, and I pray that you are presented with answers that bring you clarity and peace. God is working in you wherever you are, and nothing you can do will change that.

You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Such confidence we have through Christ before God.

2 Corinthians 3:2-4

Stay Curious

Encouragement for your prayer life.

I’ll be honest: it can be difficult having a conversation with someone who doesn’t usually speak audibly or show facial expressions.

Has this ever happened to you? You’re bowing your head in prayer, and suddenly something out your window catches your eye. Or you begin asking God to help someone in your life, and then your mind begins to wander. How is that person? Did they seem upset the last time you met? What are they doing right now? Probably something more interesting than this.

When I’ve been under the wrong notion of what prayer should be, prayer has caused me a lot of unnecessary guilt. Does my distractedness show God disrespect? Am I lacking in faith when I struggle in prayer?

Thankfully, God is a God of endless grace.

Prayer feels restrictive when we are given a template of how to pray and what not to say. Though we are told time and again that prayer needs to be a conversation, how can we really converse with God?

The other day, I was going through my usual style of prayer when I froze, on the cusp of losing my attention, and asked God a question.

Nothing profound, just a simple question. But that one question led to another and another. I didn’t get any answers to those questions (yet), but I did receive another revelation: God welcomes our curiosity.

It may feel silly asking God questions when we know we likely aren’t going to hear back right away. But asking questions assumes a sense of vulnerability. We admit that we don’t know everything, but God does.

Often people asked God questions in the Bible. The disciples asked Jesus to explain His parables. Many psalmists asked God deep questions about the state of their own existence. Even Jesus, when on the cross, calls out to God with a question.

When we stay curious in our faith, we won’t grow bored with it. Instead, we will grow a new level of comfort with God as we embrace the things we do not know.

And when we approach life with curiosity, we will start to appreciate the beauty that surrounds us, notice the outsiders who are overlooked, and discover ways systems could be improved for the betterment of society.

What is your soul asking God today?

It could simply be “why” or “how” or perhaps something more complex. God is listening to all of it and even if you never find out the exact answer, God is the giver of peace.

How long, Lord, must I call for help,
    but you do not listen?
Or cry out to you, “Violence!”
    but you do not save?
3 Why do you make me look at injustice?
    Why do you tolerate wrongdoing?

[The Lord’s Answer:]

Look at the nations and watch—
    and be utterly amazed.
For I am going to do something in your days
    that you would not believe,
    even if you were told.

Habakkuk 1:1-3, 5

Waiting for God at the Edge

A poem for those who have ever wondered where God is in our pain.

If God could stop my heart from breaking,

Why am I still in pain?

If God could erase all my tears,

Why am I still in dismay?

If the sun still rises each new day,

Why must I be in such disarray?

If I hold onto all of God’s promises,

Why do I still feel this way?

Perhaps God can do all these things

Paint the sky with vibrant hints of love

Sing to me with the birds perched up above

Wrap His arms around the little children

And wait for me to come running.

But what if there’s something to gain from pain?

An aching heart can mend another

The presence of a soul who truly understands

The longing to rest in God’s own hands.

Yes, God can cure the worst of nightmares

That spark to life like wildfire

Scorching our hope and singeing our pride

Until we’re at the height of being alive.

God allows us to reach the edge of the cliff

But He holds our hands so we don’t drift.

Perhaps His presence is enough

To satisfy the wish for the whirling to stop

And instead to remember that no matter what

Through tears and aches and pains

That God is right here

Loving, faithful, patient, and true

Always the same, right here for me and you.

You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm;

But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

Hebrews 12:18, 22-24

You are More Loved Than You Could Ever Imagine

Encouragement for your heart today.

Today is my birthday!

I’m an introvert who has had a stacked schedule lately, so spending my birthday at home working on projects with my dog wasn’t the worst plan ever. I was also fortunate enough to take a lovely road trip with a friend on Saturday as an early celebration. Nonetheless, every year I always wonder who I’ll hear from on my birthday with the hope of reconnecting with old friends and feeling remembered.

This year, one of my dearest friends surprised me (which, for those of you who don’t know me personally, that’s one of the most challenging things you can do!) with a video she compiled of old and new friends who sent their birthday blessings. I was so incredibly touched. More than that–I was in awe that so many people could care about me.

Brokenness in our world trickles into our minds and bodies and threatens us with the lie that we are unlovable, we’re better off in isolation, and there’s at least one flaw about us that causes us to be unworthy of love.

Don’t let these voices shatter your faith. They are wrong. They are lying. These voices have no say in who you are.

I guarantee that you are more loved than you can even imagine. There are people out there who love you so much, but perhaps they just don’t know how to say it. There are those who haven’t seen you in years, yet are reminded of your smile or a fond memory with you as they go about their day. And there are those who are meant to love you still, but your paths have not crossed yet.

Even if you can’t name a single soul in the world who loves you, there is the Creator of Love who loves you so much, you would explode with love if God allowed it. And there is absolutely nothing you can do that would stop Him from loving you.

I pray that today you are embraced in the comfort and warmth of God’s love and the company of people who care so much about you. And once you are filled, extend that love to someone else who needs it. ❤

 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 8:38-39

10 Takeaways from Being 19

Encouragement along the journey.

In just a few days, I will be entering a new decade of life! I’ve been reminded that when I feel stuck, it’s important to look back to even a year ago and realize how many things God has brought me through or taught me about in just twelve months.

In honor of my upcoming birthday, here are 10 things I’ve learned from being 19:

  1. God always answers prayers

But…I’ve had to redefine what the word “answer” means. If you ask someone a question and they say, “I’ll have an answer for you by tomorrow”, that answer could be a variety of things. It could be a resounding yes or a sympathetic no.

I’ve come to realize that most often, God’s answer isn’t my version of a “yes” or “no”. Rather, it’s something completely unexpected that may involve loss and difficulty but will lead me to the place where I’m meant to be.

2. Hardships cultivate empathy

If you let them, hardships can be the best way to connect with others on a meaningful level. Opening your eyes to understanding how God may use your past or present difficulties can cause you to have deeper peace.

3. Rest matters

Never have I ever had a year where rest has been so critical to maintaining healthy boundaries, keeping a clear mindset, and showing myself love. And when we rest, we are better able to step into our workplaces and relationships with patience and grace.

4. Counseling is important, but only Jesus brings full healing

Hear me out on this one. I will always be in support of counseling and mental health care, but after undergoing counseling treatment for the first time last fall, I realized my expectations for it weren’t completely realistic. When we expect human treatments to fix all our problems, we will never experience complete satisfaction. But when treatments supplement our reliance on and relationship with God, we will receive the healing that our bodies long for, even if it’s a slow process.

5. Keep an open Bible

This one I learned from my boss, who is a pastor. When in meetings or in prayer, there is something profound about keeping your Bible open even after you’re done reading it. It’s an image of allowing the Holy Spirit to speak into your decisions and guide your thoughts.

6. Go for daily walks

I’m no athlete, but getting fresh air every day has been one of the things that has kept me alert and grounded through dealing with life online and having a busy schedule. Being surrounded by nature or at least breathing in new air reminds me of God’s creativity and grace.

7. When you ask for patience, you will get patience

This year has been filled with many trying situations and relationships. There have been moments when I’ve wanted to escape from it all, but God has always pulled me back and pushed me to stay on track. Recently, I’ve realized that patience, a trait that I’ve lacked on many occasions, has been growing inside me. Last night I looked at my list of goals for this year, and becoming more patient was one of them. What do you know? 😉

While a difficult goal, one that’s still being cultivated for me, patience is something God seems to delight in helping us work on.

8. People change, and that is a beautiful thing

I used to be terrified of change, and it’s still not my favorite thing. However, change allows us to be transformed into the purposeful creation God has made us to be. And when we try to keep people in a box of past expectations, we lose sight of how they are also being shaped into healthier individuals. When we make space for growth in relationships, we will start to gain more understanding, empathy, and even joy.

9. Callings may shift over time

God shouldn’t be limited to only giving us one calling during our lifetime. Rather, our calling may shift throughout different seasons and we may be led out of circumstances that we had been brought into. Over the past year, I’ve stepped away from two major places where I had been previously called. While it felt unnatural and even a little terrifying, following God without knowing what comes next has been vital to growing my trust in Him.

10. Don’t let anyone underestimate you

Recently I’ve been in several circles where I’ve been the youngest one. I’ve definitely felt out of place and even unqualified at times. But then God reminded me that even though I’m young, I still have gifts to bring.

Age is such a subjective matter. We may seem old to those fewer in years or unlearned to those farther along on their journey. But God sees our full potential and will use us as much as we are willing.

I have two wishes for you on this beautiful day:

That you may find joy along the journey and chase light wherever it takes you, even if it means trying a new path or setting a new boundary for the sake of rest

And

That you always know you are never alone and that God will be there to see you through whatever battles you face.

May you go through every day with love and grace.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 5 For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 6 If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

When Jesus Knocks

Does fear cause you to keep Jesus at a distance?

On the morning of the most amazing day in history, eleven men were huddled in a room, terrified for their lives. These men were fishers, tax collectors, zealots, and followers of Jesus. Very notable followers, in fact, for being the original remaining disciples.

Yet a knock at the door sent the disciples running under tables, terrified for their lives.

Okay, we don’t actually know if Jesus knocked. Or if they were really under tables. But given that they had been hiding since Jesus was crucified? I wouldn’t be surprised…

Of course, they didn’t know it was Jesus who was waiting for them on the other side of the door that day. They likely thought it was Roman soldiers who came to arrest them. Or maybe they had heard from Mary that Jesus was alive and they were scared about seeing Him again.

For Peter, he might’ve felt shame at the sight of his Lord after denying Him three times. For Thomas, it might’ve felt safer to not get his hopes up. For others, it might’ve seemed too great a miracle to be true. And perhaps they were worried that Jesus would judge them for being scared?

Just think–fear kept them from letting Jesus in. And arguably very solid fears for their lives. But when they allowed fear to dictate their actions, they weren’t open to the possibility of a miracle.

Thankfully, no wall or door or any sort of barrier–even fear–will keep Jesus out. He appeared to them, showed them His hands and feet, and gently reminded them to have faith. He reminded them that He would always love them and have the power over death.

What areas of your life are you allowing fear to dictate your actions and thoughts? When you allow fear to be in control, you put Jesus in the backseat of the mission. But Jesus is the only one who knows what He’s doing and has complete control. In any car chase, I would gladly have someone like James Bond take the wheel rather than me–someone who knows what they are doing and can remain calm in the situation. But of course we don’t have our own personally trained body guards–we have someone better. Jesus, thankfully, is able to be everywhere at once and advocate for all our needs.

Today, ask Jesus to open your eyes to the areas in your life where you need to be honest with Him. Ask Him to intercede for you and help you trust that He knows where He’s leading you and He won’t let you go. Nothing can stop the power of Jesus’ love in your life–not even fear.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

John 20:19-20

Therefore he [Jesus] is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.

Hebrews 7:25

It Takes Courage to Be Still

When was the last time you were still before God?

I’ve been watching a lot of action movies lately–adrenaline rushing, heart pounding, will they make it!? The main character, usually a fugitive, is always running, jumping, flying. Doing whatever it takes to make it out alive.

Thankfully, most of us aren’t in situations that require fake identities and epic car chases. But we often associate bravery with diving head over heals into situations and never catching a breath. How often do these action heroes stop for a bite to eat, a nap, or even a bathroom break?

While unnecessary for the script, taking time to pause and reflect are essential for us to live fully into our purposes.

Sometimes, being willing to be silent and still takes more courage than rushing through life. It means feeling uncomfortable emotions, dealing with difficult thoughts, and reflecting on how to grow.

Being still requires being honest. You don’t have anything distracting you from what you know to be true.

These truths can sound like: “I am a kind person, but today I hurt someone”, or “Something I said was uncharacteristic for me and didn’t make someone feel loved”. They can even be: “I am human, which means I make mistakes”, or “This person isn’t healthy for me and I need to step back”.

These truths can also sound like: “I am dearly loved by God”, “I am His treasured creation”, and “No matter what, I will always have value”.

Truths can be wrapped up in lies that tell us that we aren’t good enough because we made a mistake or we let someone down. We realize that these words are harmful, and then we lose sight of what even is the truth. The truth is that we make mistakes and we aren’t perfect–we need to own that and apologize. But we are not defined by our mistakes. We are defined by God, who calls us His masterpieces.

Today, I encourage you to take a moment to be still. No music, no other people, no screens. Just sitting in silence and wading through your thoughts until the truth rings out.

Perhaps there is a person you need to talk to who will help make things right. Perhaps you need a self-care day and a reminder that you are worthy of it. Perhaps it’s just a simple moment to thank God for the gift of life.

Embrace the discomfort of stillness and remember that the more you cherish quiet rather than avoid it, the easier it will be to rest in God’s presence.

Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

Mark 4:38-40

Faithful God

How have you experienced God’s faithfulness this Lenten season?

“I will sing through fire and thunder
‘Cause You are on my side, I trust You with my life
I know my story, it isn’t over” (I AM THEY, “Faithful God”)

How are these lyrics speaking to your heart today?

During this Lenten season, I’ve been trying to grow in my trust in God. I’ve been making some decisions about my future and working towards handing my life to God. Though the hardest time I’ve had recently with trusting God happened during my trip to Hong Kong two weeks ago.

I was going to visit aging family members who do not know God and who have very little time left on earth. After years apart, I was finally going to be with them and hopefully show them God’s love.

But when plans fell apart and it felt like prayers weren’t being answered, I was very upset at God.

After a few days, as my agenda was altered, I was able to make it home, and I recovered from an exhausting trip, I realized that this was the ultimate test of trust in God. Not a test as in God waiting for me to fail or trying to rate my faith. I don’t believe God works like that.

No, more of a personal growth opportunity for me, if I let it be. Would I trust God even when it felt like the opposite of my prayers were happening?

To be honest, I didn’t trust God right away. But as my heart softened and my eyes were opened to the mysterious ways He as working, I realized that I could see God more clearly because of the difficulties that arose.

I contracted COVID during my trip, yet no one else caught it, including my high-risk grandparents. I was able to fly home, though if I had flown two weeks earlier, I would not have been able to make it back into my home country until getting a negative test. I was given the gift of rest when I returned home. A very valuable gift indeed.

So many little things worked together, though the greatest thing was being vulnerable with God. I expressed anger, fear, and deep grief to Him during this experience. While those feelings are uncomfortable and unpleasant, the more times we allow ourselves to feel those things and share them with God, the closer we will be to Him.

How do we know that we can trust God?

Well, Easter is a great start. The disciples likely didn’t understand God’s plan or why Jesus had to die or if He would even rise again. Though Jesus continued to promise that He would return and that He has power over everything–even death–they still didn’t quite “get it” until it all unfolded before them.

Jesus doesn’t condemn us for not understanding–after all, only He can fully understand everything. I’m so thankful that we have such a patient God who will gently guide us and help us grow in our trust in Him.

As we head into Good Friday and Easter, reflect on these questions:

  1. What has God been teaching you this Lenten season?
  2. How have you been challenged during this time?
  3. Good Friday is a time to sit in hard, sorrowful feelings, but also appreciate Jesus’ love for us. How can you show up vulnerably as you remember Jesus’ sacrifice for you?

I hope and pray you can truly feel God’s love for you during this time and beyond.

So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

John 1:14

When You Don’t Understand

Encouragement for when life doesn’t make sense.

Life often curves into patterns that confuse our minds and trouble our hearts.

This most recently happened to me while traveling abroad to visit family. I hadn’t seen these close family members in six years, and I already knew going into the trip that it would be an emotional experience, potentially even saying goodbye to my grandpa. There were many bumps along the journey, but joy and light still pulled through.

Then, about half-way through the trip, I got really sick. Shortly after, I discovered I had COVID, which meant I couldn’t spend time with my grandparents, the ones I had waited so long to see.

Needless to say, I was confused and devastated. I was also really angry. I knew God didn’t “inflict me” with this virus. There were many various avenues where I likely caught it; that’s just a part of traveling now. But I had been waiting for so many things in my life, and it just felt like another disappointment. Shouldn’t we be rewarded for waiting and trusting in God?

In the end, I’m still not sure why I had to get sick, though everything is in God’s hands. He knows why. But over time, I was able to express my difficult emotions to God, and He allowed me to find some creative ways to safely see my family before I left. As I gave up my anger, sadness, and dashed hopes to God, I began to see how He was teaching me to trust Him through providing a way home, keeping others safe, and allowing me the chance to rest.

As we head into Holy Week, I am continually reminded of how little the disciples understood about Jesus’ sacrifice. Jesus kept saying to them that they wouldn’t understand yet, but they would later. I wonder if those words were comforting to them.

Honestly, sometimes those words are not comforting to me. I want to scream, “Well, that doesn’t help me now, does it?”. But to God, it’s all happening at once. Each second is still and precious, yet wrapped up into eternity for Him. We may feel like we are waiting forever, but in the end, it will be but a blink in time.

You may be experiencing a confusing situation right now. You might be questioning God’s hand in all of it, wondering why He would allow such a thing to happen. Are you worried that patience didn’t pay off? That you misplaced your trust in God?

I urge you not to give up on God. Things may feel like they are falling apart right now, but as Easter shows us, God has something even greater in mind.

It doesn’t mean that you should just slap on a smile and pretend like everything is okay, either. God desires for you to be open and vulnerable with Him about all your feelings. Sometimes hard situations occur because they create in us a softer heart that paves the way toward becoming more vulnerable with God.

This Easter season, remember how much God loves you. No matter what, even when confusing situations arise, He understands what you are going through and wants you to turn to Him, even if you are still working on trusting Him fully.

When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”

Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.”

“No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!”

Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.”

John 13:6-8