A Message from Troy
April 2026
Dear Friend,
All the gates of hell seemed to align against last weekend’s Walking Free Spring Retreat. Beginning three weeks before the retreat with the cancellation of one of our most anticipated speakers, the attacks felt relentless. I won’t list them all here, but there was a series of major challenges that continued right up until the day of the retreat.
You would think that after nearly 25 years of hosting Walking Free retreats, I would be able to trust that God, as He always has, would come through with another amazing weekend. Yet I still found myself wrestling with doubt. Why is it incredibly difficult to trust God, even when He has been faithful for so many years and in so many ways? If only I had more faith. If only I truly believed He would come through.
Let me begin by defining trust and explaining how it differs from faith.
Faith and trust are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Understanding the difference can be life-changing, especially for those seeking freedom from addiction or patterns of self-reliance.
Faith is the internal framework of belief that shapes how we see God, ourselves, and reality. At its core, faith is the settled conviction that God is with us, for us, and actively at work in our lives. It is the anchor of the heart – the belief system that says, “God is good, present, and trustworthy,” even when circumstances don’t immediately reflect that.
Trust, on the other hand, is the lived expression of that belief. Trust is what we do because of what we believe. It is choosing to rely on God instead of ourselves in real time, particularly when we feel fear, pressure, or uncertainty. Trust looks like vulnerability, surrender, and risk. It’s reaching out instead of isolating; telling the truth instead of hiding; and enduring discomfort rather than escaping it.
In simple terms: Faith is what we believe about God. Trust is how we act on that belief.
The relationship between the two is dynamic. Faith forms the foundation, but trust is what strengthens and deepens it. Every act of trust, no matter how small, reinforces our faith and builds our attachment to God. Over time, a pattern emerges: we believe, we act, we experience God’s faithfulness, and we grow stronger in our belief.
Why is trust so difficult, especially for those who have repeatedly witnessed God’s faithfulness?
First, fear gets in the way. Trust requires stepping into uncertainty, and fear tells us we won’t be okay if God doesn’t come through in the way we expect. Despite knowing the truth, fear can feel more immediate and convincing.
Second, we often carry distorted or shallow beliefs about God. We may say we believe He is good, but deep down we question His presence, His timing, or His care. When our faith is weak or underdeveloped, our trust tends to falter.
Third, many of us have been shaped by self-sufficiency and self-protection. Life experiences – including addiction – condition us to cope on our own. We learn to manage pain, control outcomes, and protect ourselves. Trusting God requires letting go of that control, which can feel unsafe, even threatening.
Finally, trust is built through experience, not just knowledge. It’s one thing to believe God is faithful; it’s another to act on that belief in a moment of need and experience Him meeting you there. Without repeated steps of trust, faith remains theoretical.
The invitation is simple, but not easy: take one trusting step at a time. In the midst of fear, choose to act on what is true. Over time, those small steps form a deeper bond with God, where trust not only becomes possible, but natural.
As for the Walking Free Spring Retreat, God showed up in a powerful way. He brought together four different speakers, each leading a session, and it all flowed seamlessly. It was like they had coordinated ahead of time, creating a message that was both unified and impactful.
On Sunday afternoon, as I drove home exhausted, I whispered a quiet prayer of gratitude. While I wish it were easier to trust God, I am reminded that my struggles with faith do not limit His faithfulness. Placing my trust in Him rarely feels natural, but I can rest in the unchanging truth of who He is.
Grateful…
Troy Haas
Chief Executive Officer
The HopeQuest Ministry Group