Question from a reader:

I've just read your book Dominion to the end. It's a great book. I think that I look a lot like Clarence Abernathy. It's very hard for me to trust God always, to believe that there are things I don't understand, but that God uses things for His plan (Rom. 8:28). I hope you could tell me how I can learn to trust God. I am 14 years old and what people say is important for me—too important I think. Can you help me?

Answer from Randy Alcorn:

You are right that it's possible to think too much of what people think and say. What's really important is God's evaluation of our life, and He sees us just as we are. He's the one we are to please. Colossians 3 says,

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

I highly recommend a book called When People Are Big and God Is Small: Overcoming Peer Pressure, Codependency, and the Fear of Man.

Be sure to put Jesus first in all you do. You can learn to trust Him more by spending time in God's Word. Are you part of a local church? Having fellowship with other Christians is so important to developing more trust in God. Spend time in the Bible daily and pray and ask for God's strength and perspective as you go through the day.