Trusting What Looks Impressive Instead of What is True
January 3, 2026
Week 1 Focus, Why is trust even an issue?
“Don’t put your trust in mere humans. They are as frail as breath. What good are they?” Isaiah 2:22
“So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now, rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
Break It Down
Isaiah speaks into a world impressed by what looks strong, influential, and secure. Then he cuts through the illusion, don’t build your life on what is only “breath.” People matter deeply, but they were never meant to carry the weight of your ultimate trust.
Paul echoes that same truth, what is seen is temporary, what is unseen is eternal. Trust begins to drift when our eyes become fixed on what looks powerful now, instead of what will still be true when everything shakes.
Trust Question
Who are you trusting here, and why, what looks impressive and immediate, or what is eternally true in God?
God’s Intention
God is forming a people whose confidence is not anchored to appearances. He wants your trust rooted in what lasts, His character, His word, His kingdom, His presence.
Isaiah is not trying to make you cynical about people. He is trying to set you free from misplaced dependence. Paul is not asking you to ignore reality. He is teaching you where to place your gaze so you don’t lose your soul to the temporary.
Weave It In
This is one reason trust is even an issue, because the visible world constantly competes for our confidence. What we can see feels more real than what we cannot. What looks impressive feels safer than what is true. And under pressure, we naturally reach for the nearest “strong thing,” a person, a plan, money, influence, certainty, control.
But Isaiah reminds us that even the strongest human strength is still fragile, “as frail as breath.” Paul reminds us that even the most overwhelming visible realities are temporary.
So today, God is not scolding you for feeling the pull. He’s training you to see clearly.
Trust is an issue because our eyes are easily captivated, and whatever captures our gaze often captures our heart.
Practice for Today
Do a “gaze shift” today.
Take one quiet minute and pray,
“Lord, help me see what is true, not just what is visible.”
Then write two short lines,
• One thing that looks impressive, but should not carry your trust
• One unseen truth about God you will lean on today (His wisdom, His faithfulness, His presence, His peace)
Choose one small action that aligns with that unseen truth, pause before deciding, pray before speaking, obey without needing applause, wait without forcing control.
Prayer
Father, forgive me for the ways I trust what looks strong rather than what is true. Train my eyes and steady my heart. When the visible world feels loud, help me fix my gaze on what is eternal, Your presence, Your promises, Your kingdom. I choose to trust You today, even when the unseen feels quiet. In Jesus’ name, amen.