Do I Trust You, Lord?
Do I Trust You, Lord?
How to Trust God When Life Feels Out of Control
Introduction
When life becomes overwhelming, even the most devout believers find themselves asking, "Do I really trust God with this?" Trust is at the heart of faith, but it can be a daily struggle to surrender control and lean on God's promises when the future feels unclear. This article unveils what it means to truly trust God, even when life seems uncertain.
In this article, you will learn:
What it means to genuinely trust God in uncertainty.
Key Bible verses about trust and their practical application.
How to deepen your faith by learning to trust more completely.
Let’s explore how we can grow in trusting God.
Understanding Trust in a Biblical Context
Trust, in the biblical sense, goes beyond mere belief—it’s a complete reliance on God’s character, promises, and timing. The Bible often illustrates trust as a deep-rooted confidence that God will guide, protect, and provide, even when we can't see the path ahead.
One of the most well-known scriptures on trust is Proverbs 3:5-6: “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.” This passage is a reminder that trusting God involves surrendering our limited perspective and relying entirely on His wisdom.
Throughout the Bible, there are numerous examples of individuals who exhibited profound trust in God. Abraham, for instance, showed immense trust when God called him to leave everything behind and venture into the unknown. His faith was further tested when he was asked to sacrifice his son, Isaac, but he trusted God’s promise, believing that God would provide. Another powerful example is Job, who, despite losing his wealth, family, and health, declared: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him” (Job 13:15). Job’s unwavering trust in God, even amidst suffering, is a testament to faith beyond circumstances.
Even Moses had to learn trust when he led the Israelites out of Egypt, facing impossible odds with only God’s guidance. God provided for the Israelites in the wilderness, showing them that trust in Him leads to provision and protection, even in the most desolate places.
"Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done." C.S. Lewis, Author
This quote captures the reality that trust is not a one-time act but a daily commitment to walk by faith, even when we cannot fully understand the journey ahead.
Trust, in its purest form, isn’t just passive belief—it’s active reliance.
Personal Struggles with Trusting God
While trusting God sounds simple, in practice, it’s often one of the hardest things we are asked to do. When life throws unexpected challenges our way—whether it's financial hardship, illness, loss, or uncertainty about the future—trusting in God's plan can feel impossible. We might find ourselves questioning whether God is really in control, or worse, wondering if He cares at all.
One common reason we struggle to trust God is the desire to be in control. As humans, we naturally want to manage every detail of our lives, and when things don’t go according to plan, anxiety, doubt, and fear set in. It’s in these moments that we may ask: “God, where are You? Why are You allowing this?” The temptation is to rely on our own understanding, but as the Bible reminds us in Isaiah 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. This scripture is a powerful reminder that we can't always see the bigger picture that God is weaving together.
“Trust is a product of vulnerability that grows over time and requires work, attention, and full engagement.” Brené Brown, Speaker & Author
Trusting God means being vulnerable with Him—opening our hearts to His will, even when we feel like we’re at our weakest. This kind of surrender isn’t easy, but it’s in our moments of greatest weakness that God can work the most powerfully in our lives.
Another reason we struggle to trust God is because we don't always see immediate results. We live in a world of instant gratification, and waiting on God's timing can feel frustrating and discouraging. Yet the Bible is filled with stories of people who had to wait on God’s promises. Joseph, for example, spent years in prison before seeing the fulfillment of God’s plan for his life. Despite the delays, Joseph continued to trust in God’s greater purpose, which eventually led to his rise to power in Egypt and the saving of his family.
“Faith is not something to grasp, it is a state to grow into.” Mahatma Gandhi, Indian Lawyer
Trust is built over time, especially during periods of waiting and struggle. It’s during these challenging seasons that we can either choose to deepen our trust in God or turn away in frustration. When we lean into trust during difficult times, we often experience unexpected growth—spiritually and personally.
Trusting God doesn't mean we won't experience doubt. In fact, some of the strongest biblical figures, like David, wrestled with doubts and frustrations, yet always returned to God with open hands and a heart willing to trust. David’s Psalms are full of raw emotion, where he expresses both his fears and his trust in God, as in Psalm 56:3-4: “When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.” David’s words remind us that trusting God doesn’t require perfect faith—it simply requires bringing our fears to Him.
Practical Steps to Trust God More Fully
Trusting God isn’t something that happens overnight; it’s a daily practice that grows as we engage with Him more deeply. Whether you're just beginning your journey of trust or struggling through a difficult season, there are practical steps you can take to strengthen your trust in God.
Develop a Consistent Prayer Life
One of the most powerful ways to build trust in God is through consistent, honest prayer. Prayer is where we pour out our fears, concerns, and doubts before God, allowing Him to shape our hearts. It’s in these intimate moments that we learn to lean on His strength instead of our own. Philippians 4:6-7 encourages us to “not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” When we pray, we release our anxieties to God, trusting that He is at work, even if we can’t see the outcome immediately.
Immerse Yourself in Scripture
Reading and meditating on God’s Word is essential for building trust. The Bible is filled with reminders of God’s faithfulness and His promises to care for us. Romans 10:17 tells us that “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” By immersing ourselves in Scripture, we constantly remind our hearts of who God is and how He has been faithful in the past. Verses like Isaiah 26:3—“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you”—become anchors during difficult seasons, guiding us back to a place of trust.
“God will either give us what we ask for or give us what we would have asked for if we knew everything He knows.” Tim Keller, Pastor & Author
Surrender Control Daily
Another key step is learning to release control over our circumstances. The need to control outcomes often blocks our ability to trust fully. When we surrender our plans to God, we acknowledge that His plans are better, even when we don’t understand them. Surrendering control means trusting that God’s wisdom and love far exceed our own understanding, and that His ways are higher than ours.
Seek Community and Accountability
We aren’t meant to walk this journey of trust alone. Surrounding ourselves with a community of believers who can offer support, encouragement, and accountability is vital. When our faith is wavering, having others remind us of God’s faithfulness can help restore our trust. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” A strong, faith-filled community can bolster our trust in God, especially in seasons of doubt.
Reflect on Past Faithfulness
One practical way to build trust is by remembering how God has worked in your life in the past. When we reflect on His previous acts of faithfulness, it strengthens our confidence that He will continue to be trustworthy in the present and future. In the Bible, the Israelites were often instructed to set up memorial stones to remember God’s deliverance and provision, like in Joshua 4:6-7, when God parted the Jordan River. In our lives, reflecting on past moments where God came through can remind us that His character never changes.
“Life doesn’t make sense without interdependence. We need each other, and the sooner we learn that, the better for us all.” Erik Erikson, Psychologist
In our journey with God, this "interdependence" involves leaning not just on community but on God Himself. As we surrender our struggles to Him, we begin to see how deeply He cares for us and how trustworthy He truly is.
The Blessings of Trusting God
When we fully trust God, we open ourselves to the peace and blessings that come from living in alignment with His will. Trusting God doesn’t guarantee a life without challenges, but it does promise us something far greater: His presence, provision, and peace, no matter what we face.
Peace That Surpasses Understanding
One of the greatest blessings of trusting God is experiencing the peace that comes from knowing He is in control. Philippians 4:7 assures us that when we bring our worries and fears to God in prayer, His peace will guard our hearts and minds. This peace transcends human understanding because it’s not based on circumstances, but on the certainty that God is with us. As we trust more deeply in Him, anxiety begins to melt away, replaced by a calm assurance that we are held in His hands.
This kind of peace can be seen in the lives of many who have faced seemingly insurmountable challenges, yet found strength in their trust in God.
“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” Corrie ten Boom, Nazi concentration camp survivor
Her words echo the profound peace that comes when we place our future, no matter how uncertain, in the hands of a trustworthy and faithful God.
Strength to Endure Trials
Trusting God also gives us the strength to endure trials and difficulties. The Bible makes it clear that while we may face hardships, those who trust in God will not be crushed by them. Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that “those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” When we trust in God, He sustains us through life’s most difficult moments, giving us the strength to persevere even when we feel weak.
Biblical figures like Joseph and Daniel provide real examples of how trust in God can carry someone through the darkest times. Joseph’s years in prison and Daniel’s night in the lion’s den were terrifying and uncertain, but their trust in God allowed them to endure—and eventually, they were delivered. In both cases, trusting God led to greater blessings and a deeper understanding of His purpose.
Spiritual Growth and Deeper Faith
Another blessing of trusting God is that it deepens our faith and leads to spiritual growth. Every time we choose to trust God in a difficult situation, our faith roots grow deeper. It’s in these moments that we begin to understand more fully who God is—His faithfulness, goodness, and sovereignty. Trials, while painful, often serve as a refining process that brings us closer to God. James 1:2-4 encourages believers to “consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”
Trusting God through trials not only helps us persevere but also transforms our character, making us more resilient and dependent on Him. Over time, this leads to a more mature faith—one that doesn’t waver in the face of difficulties but stands firm in the knowledge of God’s faithfulness.
“God never uses anyone greatly until He tests them deeply.” A.W. Tozer, Theologian
The more we trust God, especially during difficult times, the more we grow spiritually and become instruments of His will. This kind of trust results in a faith that can move mountains, enabling us to experience the fullness of life that God has intended for us.
Conclusion
Trusting God is not always easy, but it’s essential for a life of faith. Through exploring biblical examples, personal struggles, and practical steps, we see that trust is a journey of surrender, patience, and reliance on God’s faithfulness. When we place our trust in Him, we receive peace, strength to endure trials, and the blessing of spiritual growth.
To summarize, we’ve learned:
Trust in God involves surrendering control and relying on His wisdom.
Prayer, Scripture, and community can strengthen your trust in God.
Trusting God brings peace, resilience, and deep spiritual growth, even in trials.
As you continue this journey, a natural next step is to deepen your connection with God through specific prayers focused on trust. Consider setting aside time each day for reflection on where you need to release control and trust Him more. You might also explore more stories in the Bible where trust was tested and see how God’s faithfulness was revealed.