How to Trust God with All Your Heart

In a world rife with chaos, pain and darkness, it can sometimes feel like God is missing an action. As we navigate life’s many storms be it sickness, financial hardship, family troubles, struggling to make a dream come true or a million other challenges, we expect God to act immediately. We want him to solve the problem and set everything back in perfect balance.

Well, there’s good news and bad news. The bad news first. God never promised us a life free from difficulty. In fact, he made it clear that in this world we will have trouble (John 16:33). The Bible is filled with scriptures about hardship and endurance. In the new testament, James takes it even further by saying we should consider it pure joy when we face trials of many kinds. (James 1:2). Wait, what?

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What Does Trusting God Mean?

When we dine out, we trust that the server won’t poison the meal. The same can be said when we travel by airplane. We trust the pilots know what they’re doing and settle in for the duration of the flight that will take us to our destination safely.

Yet, we often have difficulty trusting in the Lord our God, to whom we are infinitely valuable. The server in the restaurant doesn’t know who we are and neither does the pilot. But we trust them to do their job. So what about God who knows everything about us; the number of hairs on our head, our struggles? The one who knows what each day will bring and has a plan to see us through?

It's fair to say we often put more trust in other human beings than we do in God. When a you trust in the Lord, you believe in his promises no matter the circumstances we face. Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1-2). It means digging into his word, trusting his track record both personally and Biblically.  The Hall of Faith calls out individuals in the Bible whose faith and trust in God were legendary. (Hebrews 11:4-12). What can we learn from these All Stars?

What Does the Bible say About Trusting God?

Numerous scriptures discuss the importance of trusting God but the overarching takeaway is we can trust him in all aspect of our lives. We can trust him when we’re afraid for example. “So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” (Hebrews 13:6). We can trust God to be faithful always. “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24). And of course, the most important reasons to trust God is for our salvation (Romans 10:9, Isaiah 12:2).

Why is So Important to Trust God?

In simple terms, it is important to trust God because the Bible says apart from him, we can do nothing. (John 15:5). It doesn’t mean God didn’t give us free will. It means when we do things in our own strength based on our own understanding, such behavior can take us out of God’s will and plans for our lives. Translation: not trusting in the Lord can lead to trouble for believers.

Why is it so Hard to Trust God?

This goes back to the issue of living by faith, not by sight. We humans are programmed to believe what our eyes tell us. We’re easily taken in by outside appearances. We want proof before we believe. In God’s Kingdom, the opposite is true. Trust first, then we’ll see. Only when we trust does God reveal himself to us.

Here are some of the common reasons trusting God is so difficult:

We want answers on our own timeline

Scripture tells us it’s worth it to wait on the Lord (Psalm 27:14) but that goes against our human nature, especially in this day and age of instant gratification. But not waiting on the Lord can have grave consequences. King Saul learned this lesson the hard way.

Israel’s army was preparing to fight the Philistines but Saul got scared and wanted answers. “He inquired of the Lord, but the Lord did not answer him by dreams or Urim or prophets” (1 Samuel 28:6). Instead of waiting, Saul went to visit the Witch of Endor. He asked her to raise Samuel from the dead so the prophet could tell him how the battle against the Philistines would play out. Saul died that very day. The whole story can be found in I Samuel 28.

We don’t understand the purpose of the struggle

If God loves us and he’s in control, why do bad things happen? Again, he never promised us an existence free from trouble. But he can take a difficult situation and turn it into something good. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

Sometimes the struggle is to refine us spiritually and make us stronger. Sometimes the struggle is about preparing us for the next level. And sometimes, it’s about the testimony when the storm is over. Who are we more likely to listen to? Someone who has been through the same struggle as we have or someone who can only examine the struggles theoretically?

We believe we can achieve and accomplish in our own strength

We live in a world obsessed with self. We were not created to be self-absorbed. We often believe everything we accomplish is by our own strength but for believers, we know that God is the source of our strength. The minute we forget that, take our eyes off God, we begin to slip.

How to Trust God?

Trusting God is a process and consistency is the key. There are times we feel he doesn’t hear us or he’s not sympathetic to our pain and struggles. But throughout the scriptures, God lets us know we are never alone. Here are a few tips learn to trust in the Lord.

Ask the Holy Spirit for Help

Asking the Holy Spirit for help to trust God is essential in our journey of faith. By inviting His guidance and presence into our lives through prayer, we acknowledge our dependence on God and open ourselves to His transformative power. The Holy Spirit comforts us in times of uncertainty, empowers us to live obediently, and illuminates God's word, helping us to understand and apply His truth. With the Holy Spirit as our guide, we can navigate life's challenges with confidence, knowing that God is always faithful.

Choose God daily

Choosing God daily means immersing ourselves in His truth and aligning our hearts with His will. It's more than a one-time decision; it's a continuous commitment to seek His guidance and follow His path.

One powerful way to reinforce this commitment is by putting on the full armor of God, as outlined in Ephesians 6:10-18. By equipping ourselves with God's word as our shield, His righteousness as our breastplate, and His truth as our belt, we fortify our faith and stand firm against the challenges and temptations of this world. Every day, let us intentionally clothe ourselves with the armor of God, allowing His word to shape our thoughts, actions, and decisions.

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Study The Bible

Studying the Bible is vital for building trust in God. It nourishes our souls, revealing His character, helping us know God, his promises, and desires for us. Through Scripture, we encounter God's faithfulness, gain practical guidance, and receive divine wisdom. By immersing ourselves in His Word, we deepen our understanding of His unchanging nature and learn to trust Him more fully.

Remind yourself of God’s goodness

God has a track record. If he did it once, he can do it again. His resources are limitless and he always has the answer. It may not come in the form we want but it’s an answer, nevertheless. Reflect on all the times God came through for you. Stay in gratitude. That’s one of the best ways to please him.  

Remember you’re not in control

Surrender is difficult, isn’t it? As much as we live under the illusion that we’re in control, we know better. Or at least we should. The world bombards us with messages that we’re in control of our own destiny, we are the ones who make things happen, etc. For the believer, we know that God is sovereign over all creation.

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Obedience to God

We struggle with obedience for many reasons. Sometimes it’s because we don’t understand what he’s asking of us and other times, we want to go our own way. Obedience ensures we stay on the right path God has already outlined for us. When we veer off the path, consequences follow.

Repent and avoid sin

This is a tough one. We don’t like to talk about the sin in our lives and we like it even less when we’re called out. Culture tells us to do what feels good, what’s right for us, focus on our own desires. Sin is consistently glorified and celebrated. But God despises sin because it wrecks us. Fortunately, if we confess our sins, he is faithful to forgive (I John 1:9). Avoid sin because the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) but when we do sin, repent and ask for forgiveness. “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.” (Proverbs 28:13).

Final Thoughts on Ways to Trust God

Trusting God is a journey, not a destination. It requires daily effort, but the rewards are immeasurable. By choosing God daily, studying His word, reflecting on His goodness, surrendering control, and living a life of obedience, we can cultivate a deep and abiding trust in Him. Even in the midst of life's storms, we can find peace and assurance knowing that He is with us every step of the way.

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About the Author:

Gledé Browne Kabongo writes gripping, unputdownable psychological thrillers—unflinching tales of deception, secrecy, danger and family. She is the Eric Hoffer, Next Generation Indie, IPPY and National Indie Excellence award-winning author of the Fearless Series, Our Wicked Lies, Fool Me Twice, and Conspiracy of Silence. 

Her novel Winds of Fear was voted one of 24 Books to Read During the Coronavirus by Rhode Island Monthly Magazine. Gledé holds a master’s degree in communications, and has spoken at multiple industry events including the Boston Book Festival, Sisters in Crime (SinC) New England Crime Bake and the Women in Publishing Summit.  She  lives outside Boston with her husband and two sons.

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Disclaimer: the information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this article are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are looking for a Christian counselor near you, please check out our directory located here: Christians Therapist Near Me