One Way to Strengthen Your Trust Muscles

by Lois Flowers

Years ago, when Randy and I were waiting to adopt our older daughter, I wrote a book about infertility.

The book’s introduction is titled “My Pile of Stones.” Here’s how it begins:

In Old Testament times, when an individual or a group of people witnessed a miraculous act of God or had a personal encounter with Him, they often erected a stone or a pile of stones as a memorial to what they had seen and heard.

The patriarch Jacob did it the morning after God appeared to him in a dream and told him that his descendents would become a great nation (Genesis 28:10-19). The Israelites did it after they crossed the Jordan River on dry ground en route to the Promised Land (Joshua 3:14-4:9). And the prophet Samuel did it after God routed the Philistine army on behalf of the nation of Israel (1 Samuel 7:10-13).

These monuments were signs—to the people who erected them and to their descendents—of God’s faithfulness and power. Whenever they passed by them, they were reminded of what He had done for them and among them at that time. The stones were a tangible testimonial that the God who had been faithful and true in the past would remain faithful and true forever.

This book is my pile of stones.

The collection of chapters that followed, I explained, was a memorial to the infertility journey that God had led us on—one marked by pain, sadness and disappointment, but also by peace and a growing sense of His sovereign hand on our family.

The pile of stones metaphor has come to mind quite often during these days of sheltering at home amid all the Covid-19 anxiety.

As God shines His gentle spotlight on my lifelong desire for security and my need to know how the story ends, I’ve been reflecting on how He has worked in my life since that season of infertility. On the many times when He clearly went before us, paving the way for what happened next (as well as years down the road). On the fact that He’s never failed me yet, as the song says.

It’s a faith-building exercise, for sure.

I don’t know where you find yourself emotionally and spiritually during this bizarre time. If you’re anything like me, your temperature—not to mention temperature of the people around you—changes frequently.

But if you’re looking for ways to strengthen your trust muscles for the days ahead, now might be a good time for you to start gathering up some stones from your past too.

The ground might be hard, and the required digging might prompt some tears. No significant archaeological find is ever made without some sweat and dirt, though, so don’t give up.

Go back over your life with a magnifying glass, searching for God in the midst of every hard phase. Try not to focus so much on the pain and the sadness. Think instead about how you may have been changed for good because of it. How God prepared you for something else. How you’ve been able to use those experiences to help other hurting souls.

Reframe the memories, if you will.

One by one, gather up your own pile of stones. And maybe, don’t keep it to yourself. Share what you’ve discovered with a friend, a loved one, a family member who was there and might need to remember too.

Be encouraged, my friends. The God who was faithful and true in the past will remain faithful and true forever.

It may seem like a distant dream right now, but someday, we will be able to look back on what we’re experiencing now and say, “Yes, God was there.” (Because He is.)

Lois

Go back over your life with a magnifying glass, searching for God in every hard phase. Click To Tweet The God who was faithful and true in the past will remain faithful and true forever. Click To Tweet

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Purposeful Faith, #TellHisStory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, #HeartEncouragement, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

Photo by Mathieu Turle on Unsplash

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30 comments

Karen Friday May 1, 2020 - 7:40 am

I love this, Lois! Such fresh insight and so well said.

This! “If you’re looking for ways to strengthen your trust muscles for the days ahead, now might be a good time for you to start gathering up some stones from your past too.
…No significant archaeological find is ever made without some sweat and dirt, though, so don’t give up.”

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Lois Flowers May 3, 2020 - 2:48 pm

Thanks so much, Karen. It was good to hear from you this past week. 🙂

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Barbara Harper May 1, 2020 - 5:32 am

I love the idea of framing your book as your pile of stones to commemorate and remind you of what God had done. The psalms talk about lying in bed at night meditating on what God has done in the past to encourage us that He is there and working for us in love and will still in the future.

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Lois Flowers May 3, 2020 - 2:47 pm

Barbara, these last few months, I’ve been especially noticing verses that mention nighttime as I’ve been reading through the Psalms. Such a comfort to know that God is with us and working, even when we are sleeping (or not, as the case may be). 🙂

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Lisa notes April 29, 2020 - 11:21 am

I think it’s so important to keep stacking our stones too, Lois! I’ve been keeping a brief diary every day during this crisis so I’ll be able to look back and see God’s faithfulness in the rear view mirror once we get to the other side of this. (We will get to the other side, right? lol).

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Lois Flowers May 3, 2020 - 2:39 pm

I’m counting on that other side showing up sometime, Lisa. 🙂 What a great idea, to keep a brief diary every day. I’m sure that will be very interesting to look back on in the years to come.

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Maree dee April 28, 2020 - 1:37 pm

I love the idea of actually gathering stones. I always think I won’t forget what God has done, but as I get older, the memory isn’t so sharp. I do, however, keep a journal, “I will remember…..” It has been a practice that has meant so much to me. Thank you for sharing with Grace & Truth Link-Up.

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Lois Flowers May 3, 2020 - 2:27 pm

Yep, Maree … I know what you mean about the memory not being so sharp! I love the idea of using “I will remember…” as a journal prompt. Hugs, friend.

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Tiffany Montgomery April 24, 2020 - 8:56 am

There is so much truth here, that we are learning to strengthen our trust muscles through all of this! Thanks for the encouragement.

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Lois Flowers April 26, 2020 - 7:51 pm

I’m learning to stretch better before I work out, Tiffany, and little by little, I’m becoming more flexible. I think the same is true with our trust muscles … one day at a time!

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Wendy @ One Exceptional Life April 24, 2020 - 5:27 am

I have certainly learned to stretch my trust muscles over the years. I love that phrase, by the way. But every time we face difficult challenges, God shows up. It’s so important to recognize He’s there and that we need to call on Him during the down times. I have and my faith has grown.

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Lois Flowers April 26, 2020 - 7:48 pm

I’m so glad to hear that, Wendy. I loved hearing this you … just from poking around on your blog a little bit, I am encouraged to read of God’s faithfulness to you in your life.

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Joanne Viola April 18, 2020 - 6:08 am

Lois, I have always loved that portion of Scripture where the priests went into the river to pick up the stones to then make a memorial unto the Lord. We need to remember His faithfulness in the past as it is the way we move forward.

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Lois Flowers April 18, 2020 - 10:14 am

So true, Joanne. That passage is one of my favorites too. Hugs, friend.

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Tiffany Montgomery April 17, 2020 - 7:42 am

I love this. It is hard to trust… but when we remember how God has been faithful in the past it can help us remain in trust in the present! It was great finding you in the Grace and Truth Link up!

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Lois Flowers April 18, 2020 - 10:14 am

Tiffany! It was nice to meet you through the linkup too. 🙂 Trusting in the present … I like that. One moment at a time, right? I hope you have a good weekend.

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Patsy Burnette April 17, 2020 - 5:07 am

Lois, I am so thankful for His faithfulness in my life! The trust muscles have certainly been stretched lately, but that’s what gives them strength! Thank you for this encouraging post.

Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements!

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Lois Flowers April 18, 2020 - 10:01 am

Yes, Patsy … I think you’re right about the trust muscles getting stronger when they are stretched. I’m experiencing that with my physical muscles right now as I attempt to improve my running skills. My daughter is helping me with that, and God is gracious to help with the spiritual stretching, isn’t He? 🙂

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Michele Morin April 15, 2020 - 5:20 pm

Yes, I am learning to take the time to go over the past for signs of God’s faithfulness. It’s really the only way, sometimes, that I can go forward in faith.

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Lois Flowers April 18, 2020 - 9:58 am

Me too, Michele. And when we take time to look, the signs are definitely there, aren’t they?

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Linda Stoll April 15, 2020 - 1:11 pm

Dear Lois, just reading these words gave me additional courage this afternoon –. ‘On the many times when He clearly went before us, paving the way for what happened next’

How good to remind ourselves and each other of His faithfulness, perfect timing, and other graces.

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Lois Flowers April 18, 2020 - 9:57 am

Oh Linda … isn’t it wonderful when we can give each other courage with our words? I guess that’s a big part of what encouragement is all about, isn’t it? Hugs, friend.

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Trudy April 14, 2020 - 2:29 pm

Oh Lois, thank you for reminding me of the introduction to your book. I remember how it already pulled me in to read further. I was just thinking this morning of something else you said in your book about looking for God-sightings. I’m trying to do that more. I love the song! I haven’t heard it before. It’s so encouraging. Thank you for reminding me that God is faithful and He has never failed me yet! He can still move mountains! Love and blessings to you!

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Lois Flowers April 18, 2020 - 9:55 am

Hallelujah for God-sightings, Trudy! They are everywhere, if we only think to look. Love and hugs to you, my friend!

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Lesley April 14, 2020 - 12:42 pm

I love how your post clarifies some of what I’ve been thinking about this week, Lois, and that image of a pile of stones is a great reminder of God’s faithfulness.
I am definitely seeing how looking back on how God has helped me through hard times in the past are encouraging me now, both in seeing specific ways the things he has taught me have equipped me for this and also in knowing it won’t last forever.

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Lois Flowers April 18, 2020 - 9:53 am

Lesley, it’s all about perspective, isn’t it? Especially when you can look back at something really hard and see fruit from it. I’m so thankful that is happening in your life, and also in mine. 🙂

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Bethany McIlrath April 14, 2020 - 12:17 pm

Such an encouragement, Lois. I remember that part of your book and have found myself doing that archeological digging lately. Praise God for His faithfulness. I don’t know about your region, but ours has changing temperatures outside to match the ones inside lately!

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Lois Flowers April 18, 2020 - 9:52 am

Yes, Bethany … we definitely have those changing outside temperatures here too. Today looks to be a nice day, which means I can work outside, which definitely helps with the internal temps! Hugs, friend!

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Laurie April 14, 2020 - 9:22 am

Lois, I love how you describe your emotions as your temperature. Mine changes frequently too. I guess that’s normal. It’s pretty low today. I didn’t sleep well last night, then had to go grocery shopping this morning. The store was out of lots of items and running low on others. I shouldn’t complain. I still have plenty to eat and a roof over my head.

I love your suggestion to go back over my life with a magnifying glass, looking for evidence of God’s hand. Now is a good time to do just that. We have plenty of time and nowhere to go.

Maybe I need to gather my pile of stones!

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Lois Flowers April 18, 2020 - 9:49 am

Good luck if you decide to do it, Laurie. I have a feeling you could collect quite a stack!

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