Practical-minded people sometimes laugh at an idea of trusting in God. For them, it justifies passivity and irresponsibility of a believer. From their experience they've learned that success comes from consistent efforts - and they think that asking God for help is equal to trying getting something for nothing.

I can see their point. However, we need to have in mind that there are different kinds of trust. There is the one which suits a person who wants to achieve success and happiness. It makes such person a co-worker with God. Briefly it can be described in this way: Do not trust that God will do something for you. Trust that God will work with you and through you.

This attitude makes us fully responsible for discovering and using of God's gifts within us and outside of us. It shifts our focus from the realm of manifestations to the inner realm of creative activity. It makes us seek for the wisdom and inspiration within.

There is nothing mystical about working with God. In a sense, every person works with God in some degree, because we cannot be outside of God. It have been said that "in God we live, and move, and have our being". But there are different stages of our partnership with the Creative Power of the Universe - and there are different levels of consequent happiness and fulfillment.

One of the major problems of practical-minded people is their focus of outward things which often makes them unbalanced. For instance, when things go wrong, they tend to become pessimistic. When everything is well, they tend to become overly excited and boastful. When they cannot control certain events or do not have enough information, they tend to become anxious.

Why should we be centered in the inner realm? Our point is not to ignore outward events, but not to be dominated by them. We should not allow them to distort our perception and to limit our creative self-expression. Our inner calmness and ability to stay focused within will lead us to clear vision. We won't be overwhelmed by difficult situations. When they will arise, we will see both difficulties and ways of their resolution. Even more, we will accept challenges not as personal offences, but as stepping stones to greater personal development and success.

Our actions won't be motivated by fear, guilt, resistance, or self-importance. They will express our true values and highest understanding. At the same time, we won't feel inadequate to deal with our circumstances. We will be aware of hidden resources of wisdom and strength within ourselves.

How do we know that we've made a contact with divine wellspring of inspiration? By renewed desires to create and to achieve, to bring the spirit of freshness and newness into all areas of our life.

These desires will compel us to move forward, no matter what difficulties we may encounter. And as we move forward, we will be moved upward. We will be lifted up to even greater awareness and wisdom.

While we are working with God, God is working on us.