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[Thus says the LORD:
Cursed is the man who trusts in human beings,
who seeks his strength in flesh,
whose heart turns away from the LORD.
He is like a barren bush in the desert
that enjoys no change of season,
But stands in a lava waste,
a salt and empty earth.
Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD,
whose hope is the LORD.
He is like a tree planted beside the waters
that stretches out its roots to the stream:
It fears not the heat when it comes,
its leaves stay green;
In the year of drought it shows no distress,
but still bears fruit.
More tortuous than all else is the human heart,
beyond remedy; who can understand it?
I, the LORD, alone probe the mind
and test the heart,
To reward everyone according to his ways,
according to the merit of his deeds.] (Jer 17:5-10)

Today the Lord conveys a striking image through the words of the Prophet Jeremiah. If someone places their trust in anything or anyone other than God, they are similar to a barren bush. However if someone trusts and hopes in God alone, they are like a tree planted by a stream. Why? With a sure supply of sustenance (the soil and the water), the tree has nothing to fear. It doesn’t have to fear harsh weather because the tree has what it needs to survive.

We all struggle with trust from time to time. Trusting in someone other than ourselves goes directly against the American ideology of independence. I don’t need anyone else’s help. I can do it myself. I don’t want to be in anyone else’s debt or relinquish control. Yet, it’s our experience that there are many situations beyond our control, relationships we cannot repair, circumstances riddled in uncertainty.

We can find ourselves out of answers. We are left like a barren bush unless we reach out and trust in our heavenly Father. We don’t have to go it alone. He is yearning for us to ask Him for help.

Take some time today and tell God your fears. Sit in His loving arms and hear your heavenly Father say to you, “I’m here. Daddy’s got you.”