13. The Link Between Love and Trust

‘Sarayu spoke. “Mackenzie, you cannot produce trust just like you cannot ‘do’ humility. It either is or is not. Trust is the fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved. Because you do not know that I love you, you cannot trust me.”‘

The Shack – William P. Young

Let that sink in. Trust is the fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved.

‘The Shack’, is one of my favourite books – if not, my favourite book. I have mentioned it before in previous blog posts and have also mentioned that each time I read it, I get so much from it and am so blessed by it. I really believe he was inspired by the Holy Spirit while writing this book, and it is life changing. It shows the true character of God, scaling away the damage and lies that structured religion has placed on our perceptions of who God really is.

My boyfriend is currently reading this book for the second time, and it is interesting to see which parts stand out most for him. We are finding that different aspects are highlighted more acutely for both of us, and have begun having some interesting chats about how the book speaks to us individually.

This particular sentence, spoken by Sarayu (literally ‘Wind’ – the personification of the Holy Spirit in this book), struck him as a very real and poignant truth.

Trust is the fruit of a relationship in which you know you are loved.

When you know you are loved. When you KNOW it. No doubts, no maybes, no uncertainties. Trust is a product of that certainty. Trust while being vulnerable, trust with your flaws, trust with your secrets, trust with your words, trust with your actions, trust with your entire self, trust with your strengths and weaknesses, trust with your thoughts, trust with your emotions, trust with your reflections.

Read that all again, keeping God in mind as the one you trust. If you truly believe He loves you, you will be able to trust Him in every circumstance, good, bad, or indifferent. You will trust Him with your vulnerabilities, with your thoughts, with your reflections, with your entire self, with your entire life.

'So when you don't understand,

When you don't see His plan,

When you can't trace His hand,

Trust his Heart'.

Trust His Heart - Babbie Mason

People are fallible. We’re all fallible. With the very best of intentions, we make mistakes, we disappoint one another, we fail each other. No matter how much we love, and no matter how hard we try. But we trust those people closest to us. Because we know they love us. We don’t doubt their love, and therefore we trust them.

How much more then should we trust in the one whose very being is love. He IS love.

‘Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek You’ – Psalm 10

‘But I trust in Your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in Your salvation. I will sing the Lord’s praise, for He has been good to me’ – Psalm 13:5-6

‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight’ – Proverbs 3:5-6 [Bold added]

The hardest time to trust is when we can’t see a way out of a difficult time. It’s when we are faced with a hardship, or a loss, or an illness, or a challenging disruption to the normal goings on of life. It’s when we can’t see Him at work. It’s when He seems distant or non-existent, even. I would encourage anyone to meditate on verses that speak of God’s unfailing love, and to pray that His love is revealed to you in a powerful way. It is easier to trust, when you truly believe He loves you. When you truly believe He cares enough about YOU, individually. He has chosen to love YOU. You are a son or daughter of the Most High. You are loved.

‘”I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters”, says the Lord Almighty’ – 2 Corinthians 6:18

When you truly believe you are loved, (not an arbitrary, abstract love, but a powerful, adoring, active, present love), you will be able to trust Him, even when life is hard and you cannot see or understand the path. His perspective is higher than ours, He can see what we cannot see. All we can do is trust implicitly in the One who is Love.

‘”For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways”, declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’ – Isaiah 55:8-9

The lyrics to the song, ‘Here In The Presence’, by Elevation Worship, are so powerful. It’s a great song – click the video below to check it out.

Trust in the One who loves you unconditionally, with an unfailing love.

Here in the Presence - Elevation Worship
Here I lay my burdens down
Lose my worries in Your love
Casting every care on You
I have carried them enough

We're not alone
Here within His love
Emmanuel
He is still with us

When the world becomes too much
Near the cross I will remain
Until every fear is stilled
At the mention of Your name

We're not alone
Here within His love
Emmanuel
He is still with us
We're not alone
Here within His love
Emmanuel
He is still with us

Mercy is falling, falling
Lift up your hands receive it now
Here in the presence of the Lord
Mercy is falling, falling
Lift up your hands receive it now
Here in the presence of the Lord

I know your past is broken
You can move on it's over now
Here in the presence of the Lord
I know your past is broken
You can move on it's over now
Here in the presence of the Lord

Tired of running, running
Be still and know He's in control
Here in the presence of the Lord
Pour out your heart before Him
Open your arms He'll hold you now
Here in the presence of the Lord
Pour out your heart before Him
Open your arms He'll hold you now
Here in the presence of the Lord!

Mercy is falling, falling
Lift up your hands receive it now
You're in the presence of the Lord
Mercy is falling, falling
Lift up your hands receive it now
You're in the presence of the Lord.

Abbie x