“Trust in The Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding.” – Proverbs 3:5

In a world that applauds self-reliance and self-sufficiency, it can be hard to trust others. The sting of betrayal has led many to rely only on themselves.

We’ve deceived ourselves with statements like “I am strong and independent” to live in solitude, like a lone wolf.

We don’t trust or rely on anyone, not even God. Especially not God.

Yet, the Bible tells us not to lean on our own understanding. The truth is, we cannot be trusted. Our countless mistakes testify to our limited knowledge and wisdom.

Hence, God calls us to trust Him wholeheartedly. This is only possible if we let go of ourselves.

We must learn to recognize God as the driver of our lives, instead of a spare tire.

Why You Can Trust God Completely

One who has not experienced God, His goodness, and faithfulness, will find it hard to depend on Him. 

Know that God is good and faithful (Psalm 100:5). He loves us so much that He gave His life for our salvation (Galatians 1:3-5). He is merciful, just, and kind (Psalm 116:5-7). He forgives us our sins (Psalm 103:3-5). He is our Provider, Redeemer, and Protector (Psalm 18:2).

No matter how much you may love yourself, God’s love surpasses it.

God is trustworthy. Trusting Him means to acknowledge Him in all our ways (Proverbs 3:6). Before we reason in our hearts and minds how to go about life, we ought to consult Him. Yes, He’s given us intelligence and wisdom, but we are to use them in accordance with His will and purpose for our lives.

Depending on God is acknowledging our limits and recognizing that all we are and gave come from Him (1 Chronicles 29:14). We are but stewards of every good and perfect gift from Him.

Relying on God means believing His promises. No matter how long it takes, they will come to pass, for His Word will not return to Him void (Isaiah 55:11).

To trust God is to live according to His will. We can’t say we trust God but do everything our way. It is contradictory. Trust in God leads to reliance on God.

If we can trust Him with our eternal salvation, why not everything else?

Jesus promises us peace and rest when we come to Him (Matthew 11:28). There is great pleasure, peace, and freedom in completely depending on God.

Breaking Free from False Security

By choosing to lean on ourselves, we’ve made an idol out of ourselves. Anything or anyone we rely on instead of God has become an idol.

We must identify the clutches we lean on and get rid of them. We must break down every “idol” and make space for God to move. It’s not easy, but His grace empowers and equips us to lead a life that pleases Him (2 Peter 1:3).

Jesus said that whoever wants to follow Him must hate themselves (Luke 14:26-27). Indeed, our “SELF” is the biggest barrier between us and a true intimacy with God.

We must replace self-sufficiency and self-reliance with total dependence on God.

It doesn’t mean we stay idle and let God do everything for us. Instead, we measure up our thoughts and actions to His Word. We obey His precepts. We choose to do His will, no matter how uncomfortable.

How to Rely on God

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” – Isaiah 26:3

Trusting God is an active, conscious choice. We must shift our attention away from everything else and fix our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2).

When we choose Jesus, we choose to walk by faith, not by sight (or imagination) (2 Corinthians 5:7). We are no longer led by our natural senses.

Walking by faith looks like this:

1. Trusting in God’s Promises: Romans 10:17 reminds us that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Setting aside a few minutes each day for reading the Bible anchors our faith.
2. Praying: Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us to bring our requests to God. Even short prayers throughout the day can keep us connected.
3. Taking Small Steps: James 2:17 teaches us that faith without works is dead. We can take a step of faith by giving, serving, or simply sharing our faith with someone.
4. Seeking Community: Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages fellowship with others. Joining a local church or a group is a step to being in a godly community.
5. Reflecting on God’s Faithfulness: Psalm 46:8 invites us to come and see what the Lord has done. Keeping a journal of God’s past provision and guidance will remind us of His faithfulness when we face challenges.

In uncertainty, we are most tempted to lean on ourselves and cling to our natural comforts. The fear of the unknown leads us to stick to what’s familiar for a sense of peace.

However, we don’t need those when we have God. He calms storms and quiets raging seas (Psalms 107:29-31). We can trust Him in the middle of the storm. He will never leave nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6).

But because we have gone so long with disregarding Him, we must train ourselves to trust Him by:

1. Studying His Character: We are to learn who God is through His Word. Verses like Psalm 147:5 remind us that God is powerful, and Isaiah 41:10 reassures us He is always with us. Understanding His nature builds trust.
2. Practicing Surrender: 1 Peter 5:7 tells us to cast all our anxieties on Him because He cares for us. We can write down worries and hand them over to God.
3. Reflecting on Previous Experiences: Looking back at times when God has been faithful can strengthen our faith and confidence in His future guidance.
4. Meditating on Scriptures about Trust: Focusing on verses like Proverbs 3:5-6, teaches us to trust in the Lord with all our hearts and lean not on our understanding. Memorizing these can reinforce our reliance on Him.
5. Taking Real Steps of Faith: We can start with small challenges that require faith, like tithing or giving to others even when finances are tight. As we see God work, our trust will grow.

Our flesh is naturally resistant to God, therefore, we might be tempted to take credit for and figure out how to best lean on Him. Instead, let us be in constant surrender, asking the Holy Spirit to reveal areas of our lives we have a tight hold on, then releasing them to God.

Conclusion 

The process of trusting God is a journey. There will be resistance from our flesh and the enemy who wants to keep us chained to our own foolishness.

But we can believe God’s promise that whoever seeks Him wholeheartedly will find Him.

We can have confidence in Him who is the Almighty God and desires our well-being (Psalm 35:27).

We can rest in the knowledge that He knows us fully, and loves us wholly.

As you embark on this journey, decide to choose God over yourself, or anything else. Over and over again.