What Does It Mean to Trust God?
Have you ever felt lost, unsure of what to do next, or overwhelmed by life’s challenges? You’re not alone. We live in a world where self-reliance is a virtue. ‘Trust your gut,’ ‘Follow your heart,’ and ‘You do you’ are common humanistic phrases. What would life look like if we stopped leaning on our limited understanding and instead trusted God to lead us? Proverbs 3:5-6 offers a better way:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
This short passage is packed with wisdom for anyone searching for clarity and direction. Let’s break it down and explore what it means to trust God.
Prayer:
Before we begin, if you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ be sure that you have privately named your sins to God the Father using 1 John 1:9 (If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness). You will then be in fellowship with God, filled with the Holy Spirit, and ready to learn Bible doctrine. If you have never personally believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as your savior, the issue is not naming your sins, but faith alone in Christ alone. John 3:36 (He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.)
1. Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart
Trusting God means placing your full confidence in Him—His character, His promises, and His plans. It’s not a half-hearted belief but a total reliance on who He is.
God is worthy of our trust because He is:
Faithful: He always keeps His promises (Numbers 23:19).
All-Knowing: He sees the full picture of our lives, even when we don’t (Isaiah 46:9-10).
Loving: He cares deeply for us and wants what’s best for us (Jeremiah 29:11).
When we trust God with all our hearts, we let go of the need to control everything and surrender to His perfect plan.
Reflection Question: What areas of your life are hardest to surrender to God?
2. Do Not Lean on Your Own Understanding
This is where many of us struggle. Our instincts tell us to rely on what we know, what we can see, or what makes sense to us. But our understanding is limited and often flawed.
Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
God’s wisdom far surpasses ours. Trusting Him means acknowledging that He knows what we don’t and that His plans are always better.
Example: Think of a time when you made a decision based solely on your understanding, and it didn’t go as planned. Now imagine how things might have been different if you had sought God’s guidance first.
Reflection Question: In what situations have you leaned on your own understanding instead of trusting God?
3. In All Your Ways Acknowledge Him
To acknowledge God means to recognize His authority and invite Him into every part of your life. It’s about more than just praying on Sundays or when you’re in trouble—it’s a daily choice to seek His will.
Here are practical ways to acknowledge God:
Prayer: Start each day by asking God to guide your decisions.
Bible Doctrine: Dedicating time every day to studying the word of God, but this is something you can’t do on your own. You need a pastor-teacher. I recommend the teachings from Pastor R.B. Thieme II and his son R.B. Thieme III.
Obedience: Allowing God’s guidance to override human inclinations. Proverbs 16:3: “Commit your works to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”
When we acknowledge God in all our ways—relationships, careers, finances, and more—He promises to guide us.
4. He Will Make Your Paths Straight
This is the promise that comes with trusting God: He will guide us and make our paths clear. “Straight paths” don’t mean life will always be easy, but they do mean we’ll be walking in His will, free from confusion and unnecessary detours.
Psalm 37:23-24 reinforces this:
“The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way. When he falls, he will not be hurled down, because the Lord is the One who holds his hand.”
God’s guidance brings peace, purpose, and confidence, even in uncertain times.
Conclusion
Trusting God isn’t always easy, but it’s the best way to find clarity and peace in a confusing world. When we let go of our limited understanding and lean into His wisdom, we experience the freedom and purpose He promises.
How do we trust God daily? By making him a priority in your life! Allow time to study Bible doctrine and prayer, and apply what you learn to your life. We cannot know the Will of God for our lives without understanding who and what he is! Knowledge builds trust, and trust builds knowledge.