Msgr. Pope on Trusting in God

"We are often told to trust in God. And most of us have counseled others who are anxious or downcast to trust in God. But what does it mean?

"In too many cases what people mean when they counsel trust is this: 'Don’t worry, God will eventually give you what you're looking for. Just keep praying and trust that He'll come through for you.' What is meant by 'coming through for you' is some answer on your terms; it's as if to say, 'God will eventually come around to your way of thinking. Hang in there and wait for God to answer (your way). He'll take care of things (in a way that pleases you).'

"But this is not trust.

"To trust is to move to a stable conviction that whatever God decides to do is all right with me. Trusting God means being at peace with what He does, what He decides. To trust God is to accept that God often acts in paradoxical ways, in ways that are different from, or even contrary to, our notions of what is best. God often permits evils for some greater good, even if this greater good is hidden from us at this moment."

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on what it means to trust in God and being at peace while doing so.

To access Msgr. Pope’s complete post, please visit:

Community in Mission: What Does It Mean to Trust God? Maybe Not What You Think. (30 SEP 15)