“None of us knows what might happen even the next minute, yet we still go forward. Because we trust. Because we have Faith.” — Paulo Coelho

Trust (noun): 1.) Reliance on the integrity, strength, ability, surety, etc. of a person or thing; 2.) Confident expectation of something; 3.) The obligation or responsibility imposed on a person in whom confidence or authority is placed.

In the dictionary definitions of “trust” above you will notice that two of the three quoted here are about trust in people and things outside ourselves. The quote at the beginning of this article, in contrast, is about trust in the unseen, the unknown, in faith.

Trust is a funny thing for us humans. We place our trust in a myriad of people and things including our partners, bosses, friends, counselors, teachers, ads on television, the stock market and government, to name a few. We also have expectations implicit in that trust. And when that trust is broken or betrayed we sometimes get angry and play the blame game. When we become invested in the outcome rather than trusting in the outcome, the whole game changes.

It is natural to have expectations in promises or words spoken by people we trust or in things we trust in, and it is natural to feel disappointment when that person or thing doesn’t do what he/she/it portrays. It is when we shift to feelings of anger, resentment or hatred toward that person or thing that we know we have changed the rules of the game. We have gone from trusting the Divine Intelligence of life for the best outcome, to trusting outward experiences to deliver our good. We have shifted from love to fear almost by default, from trusting the outcome to being invested in it.

If we stay in a place of love, of following our truth — which is trusting in the Divine for guidance and fulfillment — we keep on expecting the best. We do this because we keep on trusting God even when things don’t necessarily turn out the way we would have wanted them to. We trust that the outcomes are always in our best interest and in the best interest of those involved. We trust that the Universe has a different and better plan for us. What follows is a sense of peace with the outcome no matter what it is, because we have continued to stand in our truth and kept on trusting.

With faith and trust we can continue to move forward even when a curve ball is thrown at us. If we are disappointed because our expectations aren’t met by someone we trust, we can move forward in love. If we truly trust our Divine Guidance, knowing that everything is unfolding just as it is supposed to unfold and the Universe is always there supporting us, we will no longer place our trust in outer things and people. We will follow our truth — our inner wealth of knowing that is always available — and be at peace.

Love or fear … which will you choose when things don’t turn out how you had hoped? Which game do you play, the game of blame, anger, resentment and victimhood or the game of peace, love and joy? This week, I challenge you to contemplate these questions and be aware of how you play the game of trust when faced with disappointments or betrayals. If you don’t already, can you be at peace with any outcome, no matter what it is?

Catherine Fenske is the owner of Live With Intention Coaching. She is spiritual counselor/teacher, certified life coach, Reiki master/teacher. Catherine can be reached at 970-640-6987 or email at catherine@livewithintentioncoaching.com. Visit http://www.livewithintentioncoaching.com or her blog at http://fromblocked 2bliss.wordpress.com.