“Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust,
 who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods.”
Psalm 40:4

Where do you look for security? Where do you seek reassurance? Where do you place your hope, and where do you turn for help?

The Psalmist contrasts trusting in the LORD with looking to the proud or to false gods. The implication seems to be that if I’m not trusting in God, then anything else I trust falls into the category of pride and false gods. And really, doesn’t that make sense? Anything that competes with the true God is, by definition, a false god.

What are situations that require trust? Certainly, the biggies would be catastrophes such as job loss, death in the family, or a health crisis. But what about just daily stresses: an unpaid bill, a dirty kitchen, a mountain of laundry, whiny children, the betrayal of a friend, or just the general (but very stressful) too-much-to-do-and-not-enough-time-to-do-it-in? Life as a mom – and especially life as a homeschool – brings on no shortage of stress as we wear multiple hats, trying to meet a multitude of needs.

Where do I place my trust – where do I go for refuge?

• Do I look to an experience – I need to get away!
• Do I look to food – A hot fudge sundae will make me feel better!
• Is it shopping therapy – I always feel better when I buy something new!

Any indulgence intended to assuage my hurt, make me feel better, or distract me from my pain must never eclipse my trust in God. Anyone – or anything – that takes the place of God becomes idolatry in my life. A false god.

Any indulgence intended to assuage my hurt, make me feel better, or distract me from my pain must never eclipse my trust in God. Click To Tweet

It’s interesting to note that pride and idolatry seem to walk in together. Pride always thinks it’s better than God. Pride wants its way. But idolatry worships whatever that thing is. It can creep in very subtly. Sometimes we kick pride out the front door, and it sneaks around and comes in the back, bringing idolatry along with it.

Anyone – or anything – that takes the place of God becomes idolatry in my life. A false god. Click To Tweet

Even good things can cause us to stumble into pride—when we make those the main thing. I came to this realization a few years ago in the throes of home education. My four are the joy of my life. I often thanked my husband for working hard to make it possible for me to be home with our kids. But over time, I began to realize that my joy in seeing them succeed, seeing them do well and even excel academically, had allowed a seed of pride to take root. My anger at the “clueless” judges when one did not win that speech or essay contest was the symptom that prompted me to deal with the disease of pride.

I’m sure it will always be a struggle, but it’s a battle the Holy Spirit fights for me. As my Holy Reminder, He prompts me to acknowledge that all the gifts and talents each of them has are God’s provision, and really have nothing to do with me. I know that is true! I got to raise them, teach them, encourage them, and pray for them. I was their cheerleader and would fight to be the president of their fan club (if they had one) and their campaign manager (if they ever run for office).

I still pester God to give me a heads up so I can pray more deliberately and specifically for them. (Isn’t Psalm 25:14a there for nosy, praying mamas: “The LORD confides in those who fear him…”)

The Psalmist promises blessing to those who choose to place their trust in God. Where do you struggle for control? Is it difficult to trust in a God you know is there, but can’t literally see? Does He seem to be the God of up there but not the God of down here? Where do you need to choose to trust in God?

I’ve always found the father’s words in Mark 9:24 refreshingly honest: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” Perhaps we can make a Psalm 40:4 adaptation: “I do trust God; help me trust God!” A proclamation and a prayer request – sounds like a good place to begin a journey towards trust.