Four C.S. Lewis Quotes on Trusting God
Trust issues, anyone?
I’ve had trust issues. Really. Serious. Trust. Issues.
I could tell you some crazy, sad stories to illuminate why I struggle with trust. But, through a Celebrate Recovery study, therapy, prayer, and personal Bible study, I’m getting better.
C. S. Lewis was a brilliant Christian apologist, and today we continue to benefit from his great mind through his writings. I’ve matched four Lewis quotes with scripture. The lesser wisdom that follows each is mine, so I hope you’ll be kind.
I’m trusting you, dear reader.
Trust is foundational
“Relying on God has to begin all over again everyday as if nothing had yet been done.” C.S. Lewis
My honor and salvation come from God. He is my mighty rock and my protection. (Psalm 62:7, NCV)
Trusting God must be a foundational decision that is not based on our current circumstances. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow (Hebrews 13:8). We must be grounded in the belief He travels with us through our days. In our daily prayer, we should invite Him along, as this is how our trust will grow.
Peace follows trust
Life with God is not immunity from difficulties, but peace in difficulties. C.S. Lewis
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33, ESV)
The Scriptures offer us numerous examples of promises for peace or comfort in trying times. God carries us through so many difficulties we often fail to recognize how much the burden has lightened. The “Footsteps in the Sand” poem beautifully portrays God’s support and His peace.
You’ve heard it, right?
Trust in His love
Though our feelings come and go, God’s love for us does not. C.S. Lewis
The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. (Jeremiah 31:3, ESV)
Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. (Psalm 55:2, NCV)
I couldn’t decide between the two Scriptures for this quote! At times, we are so fixated on our daily troubles that we forget God. Our emotional state filters Him out because we are human and naturally self-focused. Overwhelming sadness, worry, or grief are burdens that He is willing and able to take on. “Able” is key here because our trust in Him comes largely from experience and the resulting knowledge that he CAN do great things in our lives. Let’s start casting our cares on Him!
Trust his completed work in you
Thus, in one sense, the road back to God is a road of moral effort, or trying harder and harder. But in another sense it is not trying that is ever going to bring us home. All this trying leads to the vital moment at which you turn to God and say, ‘You must do this, I can’t.’ C.S. Lewis
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9, ESV)
Jesus paid it all. We do nothing to gain salvation other than to ask for it. To take this further, though, living the kind of life that points others to God is a challenge that requires His intervention. Being a new creature in Christ does not mean we automatically live a God-pleasing life. Old habits and lifestyles will be used by the enemy to trip us up. It’s essential that we turn to God and ask for help in becoming the Christ follower He needs for His kingdom work.
Will you trust Him?
Think about the person you’ve chosen to spend your life with — your trust in that person develops as you get to know them and they prove they are dependable to meet your needs. You learn over time together that you can rely on your life partner to be there through thick and thin.
Waking each day and turning over the minutes and hours to God can be challenging. Self-reliance is bred into most of us, and while that is still an important skill, God promises to be there to support us in all aspects of our lives. Sadly for us, it is far too natural to keep trying or plodding through on our own instead of exercising trust in the Almighty.
He does not promise a carefree life. We must trust Him to get us through it. Let Him prove to you that His promises are true. TRUST HIM!
“For I am the Lord your God, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, ‘Do not fear, I will help you.’ (Isaiah 41:13, NCV)
