In my husband’s work office hangs a large black metal sign with the words “TRUST THE PROCESS” boldly stamped in it. It is a Christmas gift we custom made for our son Ryan. At the time, Ryan was suffering from leukemia. Little did we know that Ryan would never be able to hang the sign in his college room. He died three months later.
THE PROCESS MINDSET
“Trust The Process” was originally coined by a former general manager from the 76ers. It was his slogan for his plan to carefully rebuild the team. While many criticized the strategy, his motto morphed into a mindset of having faith in a long-term plan despite the challenges and setbacks of a short-term journey.
THIS IS THE WAY, WALK IN IT
After being diagnosed with leukemia, Ryan used Trust the Process as his mindset. He endured brutal treatments, spent weeks in the ICU, and then Covid hit. While Ryan waited for his transplant in isolation, God laid a verse on his heart. His Instagram story reads, “My life had been completely flipped upside down, and I was lost. I took so much pride to better myself as a basketball player and getting that taken away has been extremely difficult. The verse that stands out to me is Isaiah 30:21. Whether you turn to the right or the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, this is the way, walk in it. It has been hard to accept that this is the way God has set for me, but embracing it releases all the doubt I have.’”
Ryan eventually received a stem cell transplant. However, seven months into Ryan’s recovery, he relapsed. His post read, “Trust the process. I did it once. What’s one more time? Embracing the struggle and falling in love with the process. And of course, trusting God.”
EMBRACING AND TRUSTING
In Ryan’s darkest moments, God prepared him. God taught Ryan, and God built his character as Ryan faithfully abided in Him. Ryan learned how to patiently accept his journey, embrace the ugliness, and trust the process of God’s plan.
Time and time again, we meet people in the Bible who God prepared to do His work. Moses, David, and Joseph were men that God asked to “trust the process.” Their stories required decades of challenges, setbacks, isolation, and patience. Author Marybeth Baxter states, “God’s counsel is … Don’t be afraid. Stand still. Watch Him work. Keep quiet.”
THE OUTCOME OF TRUSTING
It is easier to trust the process when we know the outcome. John 5:24 reads, “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” Trusting the process as a Christian is all about sanctification; being matured in Christ. Hebrews 10:14 reads, “By one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.”
AN UNSHAKABLE PROMISE
Pastoral assistant Rayshawn Graves states, “As God’s people placed in the process of sanctification, our heads can be held high in every season, because our final outcome is not in question despite how the present may appear. To “trust the process” is more than an unfulfilled phrase; it’s an unshakable promise. The final outcome of what God produces in His people is secured. Those whom God has justified truly, He will glorify fully.”
THE RALLY CRY
Where are you at in your life right now? Are you feeling impatient, anxious, isolated, or defeated? Combat defeat. Let TRUST THE PROCESS be your rally cry. Be like Moses, David, Joseph and Ryan. Your faithfulness and patience will produce resilience to accept the setbacks knowing that your final outcome is secure in Jesus Christ!
God doesn’t give up. Click to listen to the testimony of Laura Perry Smalts