I love the way God speaks to me when I’m running. Totally out of the blue He will give me a nudge or a clear message. Not every day, but today was one of those days. Let me share what I learned.

Last week I memorized Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NET Bible):

“My blessing is on those people who trust in Me, who put their confidence in Me. They will be like a tree planted by the stream who sends its roots out toward the water. It has nothing to fear when the heat comes. Its leaves are always green. It has no reason to be concerned in the year of drought. It does not stop bearing fruit.”

This morning in my time with the Lord I thought over those verses one more time before I moved on to this week’s verse—1 Peter 5:5-7 (NET Bible).

“And all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. And God will exalt you in due time, if you humble yourselves under His mighty hand by casting all your cares on Him because He cares for you.”

Then as I was running this morning God connected the dots for me in a way I could apply these two verses to my life.

When I am worried or stressed or trying to figure out how I will get it all done or make something happen, I am not trusting in God; my confidence is not in Him. I am being proud. 1 Peter 5:6-7 states that “casting all your cares” (anxieties, burdens) on God is an indicator of humility—“if you humble yourselves under His might hand by casting all your cares on Him.” Why is humility so crucial? “Because God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (1 Peter 5:5).

I don’t know about you but I don’t want to be on the opposing team from God. I want to be on His team and I need His grace. By trusting in God and having confidence in Him, I am putting myself in a posture of humility where God can bless me, give me grace, and use me to fulfill His purpose for my life. Without trust and confidence in God (trusting myself and that is pride), I am on my own and God opposes me. These truths were sobering to me. My lack of trust in God is not merely a weakness in me; I am being prideful.

And one last important element to why we can and need to trust God and have confidence in Him “Because He cares for you” (verse 7). In the Greek cares means to be concerned, it matters. We matter to God. Of course we can have confidence in Him. And when we do His blessing in on us. Our lives are meaningful and fruitful. He will give us grace—shows us His favor. He is for us.

This word from God will continually remind me to trust Him when I start to think it’s all up to me. It not. It’s up to God.

Have you ever thought of worry, stress, or anxiety being an indicator of pride? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

*Image courtesy of Nenetus at Freedigitalphotos.net.

Brenda Garrison is an author and speaker who empowers women with the confidence to live their calling. Brenda is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ministry Leadership with a Concentration in Women’s Ministry at Moody Bible Institute. She and her husband, Gene, are the parents of three young adult daughters and live near Metamora, IL.