Trusting God Fights Paranoia

“It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man” (Psalm 118:8 KJV). The absolute standard for trust is “Have faith in God” (Mark 11:22). Unwavering trust in God keeps us from being unsettled by humanity’s fickleness. If God can be unreservedly trusted, then humanity’s often untrustworthiness would not be surprising. In fact, when humanity does the admirable in not seeking its own at the expense of others, it can only be because God made it so. Of course, praise should also be given to man, when it is praiseworthy. The opposite of paranoia is when we can see God successfully working in a human heart to do the acceptable and right thing. If this is never possible, “we are of all men most miserable” (1Corinthians 15:19). Faith in God breeds hope, which “maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Romans 5:5). The cynical, “In God We Trust, All Others Cash,” sign at the store checkout needs to be balanced in our hearts “With God All Things Are Possible” (Matthew 19:26). Give God the chance to change even the cynical human heart. Father, make it so. In Jesus name, amen.