Book SummaryTrusting God, by Jerry Bridges

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Trusting God

God's attributes of omnipotence, profound insight, and intense love.

Bridges emphasizes the importance of holding three essential beliefs to keep faith during difficult periods: the belief in God's ultimate sovereignty, His infinite wisdom, and His unwavering love. During challenging times, our trust in God is solidly anchored in three essential principles. He doesn't want us to be paralyzed by suffering and doubt, but rather to find hope and peace through a deeper understanding of who He is and how He works in our lives.

God's complete control over every occurrence and situation.

Bridges underscores that our faith is built upon the unshakeable bedrock of God's supreme authority. God's supreme authority guarantees that all events conform to His infallible and supreme plan. God exercises His sovereignty with purposeful determination, not on a whim. His loving purpose is woven into every event and circumstance, even those that seem random or painful.

God's dominion is all-encompassing, assuring that His governance reaches every aspect of the universe.

Bridges clarifies that God's role extends further than merely initiating the universe's existence; He remains actively involved rather than simply observing its progression. God's perpetual protection and supreme authority are clearly displayed across all of His creation. The dominion of God encompasses all of creation, shaping the actions and choices of beings, regardless of their ethical character. Every aspect of our existence, no matter how crucial or apparently trivial, falls under His dominion.

The author emphasizes the idea by concentrating on God's unceasing governance over the forces of nature. Every component of the universe, from the enormity of the stars to the tiniest of microorganisms, continues to exist and is maintained by the steadfast purpose of the Divine, which includes the very breath we inhale. He meticulously orchestrates the sequence of events in our lives, which we might perceive as either beneficial or adverse, by skillfully integrating a variety of circumstances and the actions of others, often in ways that escape our understanding.

God's sovereignty encompasses not only significant events but also those that may appear inconsequential.

Bridges underscores the belief that God's supreme authority encompasses every aspect of life, ranging from major events to the smallest details of our daily routines. He underscores his point by highlighting that not even the fall of a sparrow to the ground is a minor event; rather, it is an incident that occurs wholly within the sovereign control of the Divine. Reflect on the attention God gives to a simple sparrow, and then envision the more profound care He reserves for His children. Jerry Bridges illustrates that all occurrences, from the unforeseen scheduling of an appointment to the malfunction of a car engine, and even global health emergencies, fall under the dominion of God's supreme authority.

The author offers numerous scriptural instances as illustrations. Jerry Bridges navigates us through the story of Esther, highlighting a series of seemingly minor occurrences that culminated in the salvation of the Jewish people. Jerry Bridges explores the way God carefully orchestrated circumstances in Ruth's life, leading her to the right field at the perfect moment, setting the stage for her meeting with Boaz. In his examination of events that may seem coincidental, Bridges conveys the concept that God meticulously orchestrates every aspect of even the most ordinary happenings to fulfill His sovereign will.

God orchestrates the choices and behaviors of every individual, whether they have faith or not, to fulfill His divine intentions.

Jerry Bridges acknowledges that while individuals have free will and are responsible for their choices, God's will also plays a role in shaping human tendencies. God possesses the ability to shape the way others behave kindly towards us, shield us from potential harm they might inflict, or even harness their ill will to accomplish His sovereign purposes. God swayed the Egyptians to freely give up their possessions to benefit the Israelites, prompted Cyrus to declare the rebuilding of the Temple, and hindered Abimelech from engaging in wrongdoing with Sarah.

Even when we grapple with the motives behind certain occurrences, particularly those that arise from the misconduct of others, we are urged to trust that such events are woven by God into the greater tapestry of His divine scheme. Joseph eventually came to understand that even through his siblings' malicious deeds, events were being steered by God towards a favorable outcome.

God orchestrates every event to enhance His own splendor while simultaneously ensuring our welfare.

Bridges maintains that God's governance is neither random nor arbitrary. This wisdom, which is flawless and surpasses human understanding, is consistently utilized. He urges us to broaden our perspective beyond fleeting occurrences and to rely on God's eternal plan, even though we might not grasp every aspect.

God's understanding is perfect and transcends our own.

Bridges highlights the profound mystery behind the actions and thoughts of God, which are as incomprehensible to us as the immense expanse separating heaven from earth. Our understanding of the specific causes behind certain occurrences may elude us, but our trust can remain unshaken in the perfect discernment of the Divine. The profound demonstration of God's wisdom is evident in His ability to turn seemingly chaotic and malevolent situations into results that are advantageous. Enduring such experiences cultivates perseverance,...

Trusting God Summary Turning to God for direction during challenging times.

The author emphasizes that every person, regardless of their faith or lack thereof, encounters adversity. Christians facing challenges should respond with unwavering trust in God, coupled with optimism and faith. This trust embodies a strong belief in God's almighty power, wisdom, and benevolent intentions.

Both those with faith and those without it encounter adversity.

Bridges emphasizes that suffering is a universal human experience. The author underscores that individuals will face challenges, regardless of their faith or level of spiritual maturity. Life inherently presents challenges, characterized by disunity, disappointments, and sorrow. The difficulties we encounter in life do not indicate a lack of presence or concern from God; rather, they occur as a consequence of living in an imperfect world.

Challenges arise in numerous forms, from major crises to common irritations.

The author acknowledges the wide range of difficulties we encounter during various stages of our existence. These can range from traumatic events such as the passing of someone close, unemployment, or medical issues, to seemingly minor frustrations like traffic congestion, changes in...

Trusting God Summary Developing spiritually by facing challenges

Bridges argues that instead of just enduring or avoiding difficulties, we should view them as tools that God uses to shape us into the image of Christ. He encourages us to confront challenges with belief, concentrating on the growth and maturity that God is nurturing in us, rather than embracing a mindset of self-reproach.

The challenges we face in life are instrumental in molding a character that mirrors the indwelling of Christ.

The author emphasizes that the difficulties we face are not random happenings but are purposefully orchestrated by God to benefit us. Jerry Bridges depicts God as a horticulturist who nurtures our development through careful trimming to improve our productivity, and as a teacher who uses life's challenges to bolster our spiritual resilience and increase our dependence on His direction.

God employs challenging circumstances to cultivate sanctity, instill dependence on Himself, and remove superfluous elements.

Bridges draws a parallel between a grapevine that needs pruning to produce more fruit and believers who must endure difficulties to strengthen their faith. God uses challenges to reduce our dependence on trivial matters, temper our...