I’ve always loved cats and felt that I had a way with them, but I met a challenge with JJ and Felix. They were a gift from my daughter-in-law who had started feeding their mother, a feral cat, shortly before she succumbed to the perils of street life, leaving behind two kittens.

When JJ and Felix moved in with me, they stayed hidden under beds. Our relationship began with me lying on the floor and reaching out to them.

Initially my overtures were met with fear, but after days of feeding them, putting fresh water in their bowl, cleaning their litter box, and softly calling their names, they learned to trust. Eventually they began to come to me in the evenings, when the house was quiet, and they allowed me to pet them. I was greatly rewarded when they would nuzzle up against me, purring. I assured them over and over that they were safe and that I would always care for them, and it seems they got the message.

In a way, they remind me of myself—the part of me that holds back and hides away, always a bit shy and wary of strangers, a little fearful of completely trusting anyone, even God. I recently did a Bible study from the book of Psalms on the subject of trust. In psalm after psalm, King David expounded on his many problems, but sooner or later he always hit on the solution: Trust the Lord.

Trust—A Psalms Sampler

Trusting God means giving our burdens and worries to Him.

“Cast your burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22)

Trusting the Lord frees us from fear.

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you” (Psalm 56:3).

“He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the Lord” (Psalm 112:7).

Trusting God gives us the ultimate security.

“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust’” (Psalm 91:1–2 NKJV).

Trusting puts us in line for God’s blessings.

“Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him” (Psalm 2:12 NKJV).

“Oh, how great is Your goodness … which You have prepared for those who trust in You” (Psalm 31:19 NKJV).