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Whose Guidance Can You Trust?Awake!—1996 | November 8
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“IT’S time to go!” announces the father to his five-year-old son. The father extends a hand, and without hesitation the son reaches out and wraps his small hand around his father’s fingers. Wherever the journey may lead, the child trusts in the guidance of his parent and follows with confidence. Come what may, the child’s firm grip remains unbroken.
Living in these days of economic, political, and personal uncertainty, would you not welcome a guiding hand from a source you could trust implicitly? Yet, we live in a time when unscrupulous people take advantage of inexperienced ones. Thus, there is good reason to be cautious as to whom we trust. Perhaps you have been sorely disappointed in the past when someone you relied on for guidance let you down.
Nonetheless, the Bible encourages us to put our trust in God. “For I, Jehovah your God, am grasping your right hand, the One saying to you, ‘Do not be afraid. I myself will help you,’” recorded the prophet Isaiah. (Isaiah 41:13) And the apostle Peter advised: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; while you throw all your anxiety upon him, because he cares for you.”—1 Peter 5:6, 7.
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Whose Guidance Can You Trust?Awake!—1996 | November 8
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Again, let us consider the example of a child holding the hand of a parent. When a child becomes anxious, how does he respond? Rather than letting go or relaxing his grip, the child will tighten his little hand around his parent’s fingers. In doing so, he demonstrates unwavering trust that the parent will provide unfailing guidance and strength during difficulties.
Similarly, when we experience distress in our life, we need to tighten our grip, trusting even more in God’s guidance! His Word, the Bible, can become our guiding light. (Psalm 119:105) Also, remember that along with trust comes patience. Therefore, we must give Jehovah time to work things out, even if for some period of time we may not fully understand why he is guiding us in a certain course. Yes, we can trust in God’s guidance.—Exodus 15:2, 6; Deuteronomy 13:4; Isaiah 41:13.
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