My heart beat like a bongo drum as I tossed and turned restlessly in my bed. The clock read 11:30 p.m. I had been trying to fall asleep for the last hour and a half, but with each passing minute I only felt wider awake. My thoughts raced faster than a Ferrari down a freeway. You should have made more phone calls. Why don’t you try scheduling more appointments? You need to use your time more efficiently. You’ll never reach your goals. The longer I let my mind wander, the more troubled I felt. Everything inside of me was screaming. Suddenly a new thought penetrated my mind: Remember the quote you just read.

“God will do great things for those who trust in Him. The reason why His professed people have no greater strength is that they trust so much to their own wisdom, and do not give the Lord an opportunity to reveal His power in their behalf. He will help His believing children in every emergency if they will place their entire confidence in Him and faithfully obey Him” (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 493).

Sometimes I have felt stressed about fundraising. However, I am coming to realize I feel this way because I trust too much in myself. One of the most valuable lessons I have learned through this experience is the importance of putting my trust completely in God. I am reminded of Jeremiah 17:5: “Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm.”

Could it be that I have been cursed in my past fundraising efforts? I am confident that as I place my trust completely in God while doing my part, He will help us reach our goals. —

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