Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
What does it mean to trust someone? I envision trust as a child being tossed into the air by her father, who lifts her hands, knowing that although it seems risky, she believes she will be caught. Trusting in the Lord requires a complete surrender of our body, heart, and mind. It involves placing our confidence not in what we see or comprehend but in God’s power and plan.
But God doesn’t ask us to just “kind of” trust Him. The phrase “with all thine heart” signifies an all-encompassing reliance on God. It means trusting with everything within us, every fiber of our being. This trust applies not only to small things but also to challenging circumstances.
The Scripture says, “Lean not unto thine own understanding.” Human understanding is finite and flawed. I will never know enough to consistently make good decisions based on my human perception. Our perspective is limited by what we can see, feel, and comprehend. Trusting in God means abandoning our logic and reasoning and embracing His.
Acknowledge Him in all thy ways means inviting God into every aspect of our lives—our decisions, actions, and paths. Giving Him a place in all areas of our lives is an act of worship.
When we live this way, God promises to direct our paths. This doesn’t mean life will be free of challenges, but it does mean that God will guide us through them. He has a path and a plan to prosper us and not harm us if we trust Him.
Practical Application
Before making any decision, whether big or small, you should acknowledge God and pray for His wisdom and guidance. This can be as simple as saying, “Lord, I invite You into this moment. Please guide my steps and show me Your wisdom in this.” Trust Him, and He will guide you.