Three Vital Beliefs

Any relationship of trust is mutual. It is extended from one individual to another, or from one group to another, and then returned. It cannot be experienced if it is only conveyed, and not given back.

In this book Adolf Hansen explores the meaning of mutual trust, not only between human beings, but between human beings and God. He begins with God's unchanging character, and asserts that God is good-all the time. He continues with God's changing activity, and affirms that God works for good-in everything. He concludes with God's invitation to enter a relationship of mutual trust, and encourages the reader to respond by trusting God-no matter what.

Before and after each chapter, Adolf and his wife, Naomi, describe a series of events that illustrate these three vital beliefs, beginning with a stunning tragedy on a Friday afternoon in downtown Indianapolis. A city bus struck their 31-year-old daughter, Bonnie, while she was crossing the street with the right-of-way. At 6:15 pm the next day, she was pronounced dead.

Aftereffects of all sorts continued in the days, months, and years that followed. Out of that horrendous darkness, light slowly and sporadically surfaced. At the core of these ongoing experiences was a theme that emerged within hours after receiving the initial phone call at their home in Evanston, Illinois: "Whatever happens, we're going to trust God." It continued; it was threatened; but it was never squelched. It still permeates their lives today-more deeply, and more powerfully than ever!