Proverbs 3:5 says “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” This verse teaches an important spiritual truth – that we should have complete trust and reliance upon God rather than trying to figure everything out on our own. What does it really mean to trust in the Lord with all your heart? Let’s explore this concept further.
Trusting God Over Self
Human nature tells us to trust in our own reasoning and intellect to make decisions and figure out problems in life. However, God’s Word tells us not to lean on our own understanding. This means not relying solely on our limited human logic and wisdom, but instead trusting in God’s perfect knowledge and guidance. He sees the full picture when we only see a small part. When we trust in the Lord wholeheartedly rather than self, we are placing our dependence on an all-knowing, all-powerful, and loving God over our own finite understanding.
Acknowledging God’s Sovereignty
Trusting God with all our heart means acknowledging His complete sovereignty and control over every circumstance. He is not only all-knowing, but is also able to work out all things for our good through His sovereign will (Romans 8:28). This doesn’t mean we will always understand God’s purposes, but we can trust that He is powerful enough to use any situation to accomplish His divine plans. Even when life doesn’t make sense, we can have peace knowing God reigns supremely.
Following Wherever He Leads
Wholehearted trust in God gives Him full authority to direct our paths in life. It means following His lead wherever it may take us, rather than trying to blaze our own trail. When Abraham was called to sacrifice his son Isaac in Genesis 22, he obeyed because he trusted the Lord, believing God could raise Isaac from the dead if needed (Hebrews 11:17-19). This willingness to follow God’s lead wherever it may take us demonstrates true heart-level trust.
The Object of Our Trust
Proverbs 3:5 doesn’t simply instruct us to trust. It tells us specifically to trust in the Lord. The key object of our trust should be God himself, not simply a feeling of trust or trust in an abstract concept. To trust in the Lord means trusting in the character and attributes of God such as:
- His goodness – God is good all the time, even when circumstances seem to suggest otherwise (Psalm 34:8).
- His faithfulness – God is absolutely trustworthy and keeps His promises 100% of the time (Deuteronomy 7:9).
- His love – Everything God does flows out of His perfect, unconditional love (Romans 8:38-39).
- His wisdom – God’s plans are perfect and He knows exactly what is best (Isaiah 55:8-9).
- His power – God is able to accomplish the seemingly impossible (Luke 1:37).
The more we know who God is, the easier it becomes to trust Him fully. Our faith finds an unshakeable anchor in the rock solid character of God.
With All Your Heart
Trusting God with half of our heart is not enough. The verse says to trust Him with all our heart. Half-hearted trust tries to hedge its bets and keep control. Wholehearted trust leaves no room for doubt or holding back. It commits to God 100%, despite unknowns, risks, or if circumstances seem shaky. Consider the radical trust of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3. They told King Nebuchadnezzar they would obey God even if He didn’t save them from the fiery furnace, because they trusted God fully whether He chose to deliver them or not.
Undivided Loyalty
All-encompassing trust refuses to hedge or compromise. Jesus said we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). We have to choose who or what sits on the throne of our heart. Do we place total trust in our loving Heavenly Father or continue trusting in our own abilities? Wholehearted trust pledges undivided loyalty to God.
Childlike Dependence
Children have a beautiful childlike dependence upon their loving parents. Their trust is wholehearted, not based on their own wisdom or resources. This is the spirit of trust in God that Jesus modeled (Luke 18:17). It admits that we ultimately don’t have all the answers and humbly relies on God like a child relies on a parent.
Blessings of Wholehearted Trust
Why does God instruct us to trust in Him fully, rather than self-reliance? Some blessings of wholehearted trust include:
- Peace – We experience calm security in God’s hands (Isaiah 26:3).
- Strength – We are spiritually strengthened and empowered (Isaiah 40:31).
- Guidance – We allow God to direct our paths (Proverbs 3:6).
- Hope – Trust keeps our eyes on God’s faithfulness, fueling hope (Lamentations 3:21-24).
- Freedom from anxiety – Trust replaces worry with confidence in God (Philippians 4:6-7).
- Drawing closer to God – Trust deepens intimacy with the Lord as we rely fully on Him.
How to Grow in Trust
For many, wholehearted trust doesn’t come naturally. We may have doubts, insecurities, and hesitations about fully trusting God. How can we grow deeper in fully trusting Him? Consider these tips:
Spend Time Meditating on Scripture About Trust
Reading bible verses about trusting God (Psalms 37:3-6, Psalms 56:3-4, Proverbs 29:25, Isaiah 12:2, etc) builds faith and confidence in Him. Take time to reflect on His trustworthy character.
Recall Past Provision
Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past fuels faith that if God did it before, He can do it again. Rehearsing His provision in past difficulties encourages our trust in Him.
Talk Honestly With God About Your Struggles
God isn’t offended by honestsharing about our trust issues. Pour out your heart to Him in prayer. He can handle our doubts and questions. This builds intimacy with God.
Take Small Steps of Trust in Each Day
Each day, look for small ways to trust God more – trusting Him with decisions, laying worries at His feet, obeying step-by-step, etc. Small daily steps of trust will accumulate over time.
Focus on Who God Is, Not Your Circumstances
The less we focus on negative circumstances, and the more we focus on God’s character, the more our trust in Him will deepen. He remains trustworthy, regardless of our situation.
Spend Time With Other Believers Who Model Trust
When we are around other Christians who exhibit deep trust in God, it inspires us to have greater trust. Faith is contagious.
Trust Despite Unanswered Questions
Having complete trust in God does not mean having all of life’s questions answered. We may still have confusion, doubts, and uncertainties. Yet we can trust God’s wisdom and sovereignty even when we don’t understand everything. As Isaiah 55:8-9 says, God’s ways are higher than our ways. Trusting despite unanswered questions demonstrates genuine faith.
Job – Trust Despite Tragedy
After losing everything, Job still blessed God’s name (Job 1:20-22). He trusted God’s faithfulness despite his tragic circumstances and unanswered questions.
Abraham – Trusting the Promises
God made an amazing promise that Abraham would father a nation, though he was old and had no children yet (Genesis 12:1-3). Abraham trusted God’s promise despite having many unanswered questions.
Joshua – Trust Despite the Unknown
As the Israelites were about to enter a new land, Joshua was commanded to trust and obey God even though their exact future was unknown. He still chose to lead the people to fully trust and follow God. (Joshua 3:1-17).
Trust Must Lead to Obedience
True trust in God leads to following Him obediently. Trust without obedience is not true, wholehearted trust. It is simply mental agreement without heartfelt commitment. Genuine trust acts on what it believes.
Noah’s Obedience
Noah demonstrated total trust in God by obeying Him, even when asked to do something seemingly absurd – build a giant ark (Genesis 6-7). His radical obedience revealed complete trust.
Peter’s Steps of Trust
Peter trusted Jesus enough to get out of the boat and walk on the water, something that seemed impossible. While Peter’s faith wavered, Jesus commended even his small beginning steps of trust and obedience (Matthew 14:22-33).
The Israelites’ Lack of Trust
The Israelites claimed to trust God, but refused to enter the Promised Land out of fear of giants. Their disobedience exposed their lack of wholehearted trust, and there were serious consequences (Numbers 13 & 14).
Trusting God in Difficulties
It is often most challenging to trust God when we are facing trials. Yet this is when we must cling to Him all the more. We can trust that God will give us strength and sustain us in hard times when we rely fully on Him (Isaiah 41:10).
Habakkuk’s Praise
The prophet Habakkuk faced confusing circumstances, yet still trusted God’s goodness and offered faithful praise (Habakkuk 3:17-19).
David’s Deliverance
David wrote many psalms crying out to God in painful situations. Yet he always held onto trust that God would ultimately deliver him (Psalm 13:5, Psalm 28:7).
Paul and Silas’s Joy
Despite being thrown in jail unfairly, Paul and Silas had supernatural joy and trust in God in their hardship (Acts 16:22-25). They knew God was still in control.
Trusting God Takes Practice
Having deep trust in the Lord with all our heart does not happen automatically. It requires continually choosing to rely on God rather than self, and believing He is faithful even when life feels out of control. As we practice trust daily, it will become more natural over time. Our faith muscles will grow stronger. While doubts may come and go, our solid rock of security remains Jesus himself.
Wholehearted trust says, “I may not understand everything, but I know God is good, loving, and in control. I choose to rely fully on the all-knowing, powerful, trustworthy Creator of the Universe who cares deeply for me. He is absolutely worthy of my trust.” This kind of radical, against-all-odds trust allows us to confidently obey God and experience the supernatural peace, hope, and strength that only He can provide.