One of my favorite Bible passages is Psalm 23. Even before I knew Jesus, I knew this Psalm—and I read it so many times that I memorized it way before I gave my life to Christ. Every time I read it, I feel a sense of calm, security, and well-being. The first verse alone is enough to make me feel secure and cared for: The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing (Psalm 23:1 NIV).

Trusting in God was not something I immediately learned to do when I accepted Jesus as my Savior. As I started going to church and reading the Bible, I learned I could trust God, but the understanding of His Word was revealed to me as I allowed Him to work in my life in times of trouble.

Back in 2012, I was working for a retail store. My roommate had lost her job and wanted to move to Miami. I was a new Christian at the time, and I didn’t understand the importance of listening to God’s voice or how to ask for His direction. However, I could feel in my spirit that it was not the time to move. Since my roommate had been a Christian for many years, I decided to share what I had felt in my spirit with her. She didn’t listen to me; all she was thinking about was her need to work, and moving was the only solution for her. Eventually, I gave in and transferred to Miami. The first year went by without any major events, but at the beginning of the second year, I was struggling to pay bills, my roommate was in and out of jobs, and the financial responsibility was falling mostly on me. Even though I made good money, it was hard sometimes to make ends meet.

To add to my frustration, I got demoted from my position unjustly. Although my salary was not affected, I did not want to be in the new position. Thinking about the situation, I remembered the words my pastor said in a previous service, so I decided to take up the challenge. Every morning, instead of sitting in the break room to read my Bible before starting to work, I chose to stay in my car and spend time with God and reading His Word.

After a few weeks, I realized God was moving me to change jobs, but the new job paid considerably less than what I was making at the time. I thought about it for weeks and was not sure what to do. One morning, as I was meditating on the Word and my situation, I said to God, “Okay, if You are asking me to move to this new job, I will do it just because You’re telling me to. I guess You know best!”

I took on the new job, with a big pay cut, but I learned how faithful God can be when we trust Him. All my needs were supplied. I could see God’s hands working on my finances. I would go shopping for groceries and buy all we needed without my card being declined. I saw my bank account’s balance stay untouched, and even a paycheck amount increased because I helped a homeless lady!

Psalm 25:2 reads: I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. It’s been nine years since the day I chose to trust God. There has not been one day where I have not seen His faithfulness in every area of my life. Many days have been trials, and God has taken care of me and walked me out of each one. I proclaim His goodness and His love, not just for me, but for all of us.

I don’t know what your circumstances are or what are you going through right now, but God knows—and He wants to take care of you and everything. So, open your heart and let Him in and trust that He will do what is best for you.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11) https://rb.gy/mxgik

~Author Mary S.

Scripture is quoted from the Holy Bible, New International Version^®, NIV^® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.^® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.