Kerry Lytle
May 4, 2024
Proverbs 3:5-6, New Living Translation
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
What do we do when we are waiting on God and taking steps of faith, only to come up short, feeling frustrated and defeated.
There’s a gentle reminder in Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT); it’s asking us to trust in the Lord — to put our confidence in Him and not in ourselves. “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 straight your paths.”
Trusting can feel scary, like bungee jumping from a bridge and hoping the cable will hold. It means letting go of control, willingly placing our well-being in the hands of another. How do we know that God can be trusted? We look to His Word, His character, and His faithfulness in our lives. We remember how He has come through in the past and how He is ever-changing.
During these situations, trust is built by looking for the small, personal moments of God’s goodness and care toward us. Reading something that encourages us; receiving good news, however small; recognizing the growth that is coming out of the struggle and pain; and even observing daily things like a sunrise and sunset are reminders of God’s faithfulness.
Noticing these small things keeps us thankful, keeps us looking up, and keeps us dependent on God, knowing all good things come from Him (James 1:17).
Proverbs 3:5 encourages us not to lean on our own understanding. So, this verse tells us to make a conscious decision to allow ourselves to be supported not by our own wisdom and experience but by God, the One who never leaves or forsakes us (Deuteronomy 31:6).
God invites us to trust in him, to surrender our worries, doubts, and fears into His capable hands. This involves a conscious choice to rely on God’s wisdom and guidance rather than leaning on our own limited understanding.
In a world filled with uncertainty, we can find comfort in the unchanging character of God. The Lord is faithful, steadfast, and true. He will fulfill every promise He has made. When we place our trust in the Lord, we tap into the wellspring of His grace, strength, and peace.
Trusting God doesn’t mean that we will never face challenges or hardships. But it does mean that we can confidently face hard times, knowing that God is with us, working all things together for our good. We can rest in the assurance that God is in control and that His plans for us are perfect.
Trusting God requires humility—a recognition that His ways are higher than ours. It involves surrendering our need for control and embracing His divine wisdom and timing. As we submit our lives to the Lord, He directs our paths, leading us on a journey of purpose and fulfillment.
Let’s trust God with all our heart. In every circumstance, may we lean on His understanding and submit to His will. As we trust God, we experience His faithfulness, and our lives become a testimony to His goodness and grace!