How to Trust God When Life Gets Tough

Scripture: Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
“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.”

Devotional

Trust is a word we often hear in Christian circles, but when we’re facing life’s challenges, trusting God can feel like a struggle. When everything seems uncertain, we naturally want to grasp control and rely on our own understanding. Yet, God calls us to something different. He invites us to trust Him, not just with parts of our lives but with our whole hearts.

The passage in Proverbs 3:5- 6 is one we’ve probably heard many times, but it holds deep wisdom for us today. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart…” This kind of trust goes beyond mere intellectual agreement that God is good. It is an active, wholehearted surrender, believing that God can lead us and has good plans for our lives—even when we can’t see the complete picture.

There’s an essential contrast in this verse. We are told to trust the Lord and not lean on our understanding. Our understanding is limited and shaped by our current experiences, fears, and what we can see. God’s understanding, however, is infinite. He sees every detail of our lives, from beginning to end, and His wisdom is perfect. When we trust in His plan, we believe that He knows what is best, even when our circumstances say otherwise.

But how do we live this out? Proverbs tells us that we are to acknowledge Him in all our ways. This means making God the center of every decision, every step, and every part of our lives. When we do this, He promises to “make straight your paths.” Not every step will be easy or without obstacles, but God will guide us and lead us in the right direction. The peace from trusting God’s plan allows us to let go of the need to control everything and rest in His guidance.

Action Step

Take a few moments today to reflect on an area where you’ve struggled to trust God. Is there a situation where you’ve been leaning on your understanding instead of seeking His wisdom?

Write down this area in a journal or a piece of paper. Then, take time to pray and consciously release control to God. Ask Him to guide your steps and to help you trust His plan. Afterward, note any insights or peace from releasing this to God.

Prayer

Father, I come before You with an open heart, confessing that I often try to rely on my understanding. It’s hard to trust when I can’t see the whole picture, but I know You see everything. Help me to trust You with all my heart and to acknowledge You in all my ways. Guide my steps and make my path straight as I learn to surrender more to You. Thank You for Your faithful love and for having a good plan for my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Supplemental Resource

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Blessings,

Chad 

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