Finding Unshakable Trust in a World of Fatigue

In a world where disappointment seems inevitable, many of us experience what could be called “trust fatigue.” We’ve been let down so many times that we wonder if we can truly depend on anyone or anything. This fatigue can affect every area of our lives, from our relationships to our faith.

What Is Trust Fatigue?

Trust fatigue happens when we’ve been disappointed repeatedly. It might come from:

• Being let down by institutions or establishments

• Teachers who didn’t prepare us for real life

• Parents who failed to meet our needs

• Bosses who make empty promises

• Politicians whose commitment evaporate after elections

• Broken relationships where trust was violated

Perhaps most painfully, we experience trust fatigue with ourselves. Despite our best intentions and fresh starts, we let ourselves down through overspending, overindulging, or over-medicating.

And yes, many of us experience trust fatigue with God. We pray, try to do what’s right, even engage in spiritual disciplines - yet nothing seems to change. We may even face mockery for our faith.

The Temptation to Find Another Safety Net

When trust fatigue set in, we’re tempted to find alternative safety nets. We hedge our bets, making alliances with things that seem more reliable. We might say we’re “all in” for God, but we keep that 5% backup plan just in case.

The problem? That 5% rarely stays at 5%. When we give darkness a foothold, it grows.

What Can We Learn from Ancient Judah’s Mistake?

This struggle isn’t new. Around 700 BC, the kingdom of Judah faced a similar crisis. The Assyrian empire was swallowing nations whole, using terror tactics that would make modern headlines. The northern kingdom of Israel had already been wiped off the map in 722 BC, leaving Judah terrified.

In this moment of fear, Egypt-ironically, the nation that had once enslaved them - came knocking with promises of protection. Judah was sorely tempted to make this alliance, to trust in something they could see rather than the covenant with God that seemed to be failing them.

Isaiah’s Unpopular Message

The prophet Isaiah could have gained a massive following by telling people what they wanted to hear. Instead, he spoke truth, even when it cost him. He delivered three difficult messages (oracles) to Judah:

Oracle 1: Eqypt’s Strength Will Fail

Isaiah warned that everything Egypt boasted about - its religion, its river, its wisdom - would collapse. The Nile would dry up, civil war would break out, and their vaunted wisdom would prove worthless.

The application? Be careful what you lean on when life feels shaky. If it’s not of God, it won’t hold you up - and it’s not neutral. It comes from a dark place.

Oracle 2: Egypt Will One Day Worship God

In a shocking twist, Isaiah prophesied that Egypt would eventually build altars to the Lord. Even more surprisingly, Egypt and Assyria - bitter enemies - would join hands with Israel in worship.

This vision of reconciliation was almost incomprehensible. Enemies becoming family? The worst people saved by God? Yet this glimpse into God’s heart revealed His ultimate plan: not just to judge nations, but to heal them and bring them into His family.

Oracle 3: Isaiah Goes Barefoot and Naked

In perhaps the strangest prophetic demonstration ever, Isaiah walked around stripped and barefoot for three years. This vivid illustration showed what would happen to Egypt when conquered by Assyria - complete humiliation.

The message was clear Don’t trust what can’t save you.

Where Jesus Succeeds Where Judah Failed

The beauty of biblical prophecy is that it often has both immediate and long-term fulfillment. Where Judah failed to trust God, Jesus succeeded perfectly.

In Gethsemane, Jesus could have made alliances. He could have called down angels or cut a deal with Rome. Instead, he prayed, “Not my will, but yours be done.” His complete trust in God - even unto  death - emptied the grave, defeated sin, and birthed a new global family.

This is what Isaiah foresaw: nations reconciled, worshipping together. Jesus made it reality.

How Do We Move from Trust Fatigue to Unshakable Faith?

Some of us don’t know about trust fatigue because we’ve never committed deeply to anything - whether marriage, health, community, or Christ. Others have invested in “Egypt” - backup plans that aren’t life-giving like Jesus is.

Faith isn’t just spiritual; it’s practical. When you sat in your chair today, you trusted it would hold you. Similarly, when “Egypt” calls your name:

• Trust God with your relationships by placing Him at their center

• Trust God with your work by maintaining integrity

• Trust God with your plans and finances

• Trust God with your pain instead of running to counterfeits like alcohol, distractions, shopping, or self-reliance

Life Application

The key shift is moving from seeing Jesus as first on your priority list to making Him the center of every priority. When He’s merely first, you can check Him off and move on. When He’s central, everything changes.

This week, challenge yourself to approach each decision with the question: “Jesus, where are You in this?” Before taking on any new battle or challenge, pause to pray first.

Ask yourself:

• What “Egypt” am I currently trusting instead of God?

• In what areas of my life am I experiencing trust fatigue?

• How would my decisions change if Jesus were truly at the center of each one?

• What practical step can I take this week to demonstrate trust in God rather than my backup plans?

Remember, Jesus is the healing to every fatigue you’ll ever face. He builds highways of forgiveness not just between you and God, but between you and others. Don’t settle for alliances that can’t save. Run to Him.