I was so excited to finally see a bear in person on our trip to Yellowstone last year. Yet, there were moments of fear that crept in. I was using a zoom lens to take this picture, so the distance is greater than it appears.  There were a lot of us gawking at this bear and we were all trusting that the bear wouldn’t break into a full run at us. That trust might be misplaced.

Which is easier faith or trust? For some reason, it is easier for me to have faith than trust. Trust seems hard and risky. I can have faith that a friend will be there for me, however that seems to hurt less than trusting them. Breaking my trust is deep and personal. Losing faith in someone is a disappointment but not a wound.

Trust is defined as firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. It has a synonym of faith. Faith is defined as complete trust or confidence in someone or something.  Faith or trust? They are the same thing.

Recently a friend recommended that I take this scripture from Hebrews and replace the word faith with trust. (I suggest you read the entire chapter 11 and do this.)

1 Now faith (trust) is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. 2 This is what the ancients were commended for. 3 By faith (trust) we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible…

20 By faith (trust) Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future. 21 By faith (trust) Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff…

29 By faith (trust) the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned. 30 By faith (trust) the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days. 31 By faith (trust) the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient… (Hebrews 11 NIV).

Reframing my faith in God to my trust in God deepens my relationship with Him. Trust is more personal. Trust is more likely to be broken. Using the practice of saying, “I trust you, God with my children, my marriage, my job….” has kept me anchored when stress and circumstances want to take over.

Do you struggle to trust? Do you hold back in relationships? Are you holding back with God? This simple exercise can reveal places in your life that God wants to take you deeper, bring you closer to Him. Will you try it?

How have you gone from faith to trust in relationships and with God? Share your experience here and breathe life and bring hope to others.