subject: Developing Trust In God [print this page] "Just trust God" is a phrase Believers often use to encourage themselves and others during turbulent times. While these words are powerful and true, people who haven't learned how to trust God may view them as merely another religious cliche. It is important to understand how to develop trust in God so that you won't continue feeling helpless during stressful situations and circumstances, without any real answers. Trusting God is basically allowing yourself to be "putty in His hands." It is casting your care on Him completely, and setting your will not to worry or be concerned about a situation, knowing that once you give it to Him, it is taken care of.
Trusting God is the catalyst by which we get results in every area of our lives. It is impossible to experience success in life without trusting God. Though it may be difficult at times, it is necessary. I remember a time I was getting ready to teach on trusting God. I began to ask God for wisdom and for His definition of trust.
God explained to me that trusting Him is similar to following directions in order to reach a certain destination. When you really need to get somewhere, and someone who already knows the way gives you directions, you don't question them. No, you would simply follow the directions given to you, believing that the person who gave them to you knew what he or she was talking about because they had already made the trip. Even if you got lost, perhaps because you misunderstood something, or missed a turn, you would call that person to clarify the directions and then get back on the right road. Similarly, you must call on God for directions in life. When you miss it or make a mistake, He will direct you and make sure you get back on the right path.
God has given us directions to the destination He has chosen for us--His written Word. To develop complete trust in our Heavenly Father; however, we must cultivate our relationship with Him every day. We develop our trust in others by spending time with them. Likewise, we learn to trust God the same way. We must meditate the Word of God daily by reading the scriptures and repeating them over in our minds until revelation knowledge comes. In addition, spending time with God regularly in prayer is another way to develop a consciousness of His presence and voice, both of which help to develop trust.
Proverbs 3:5 tells us to "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Think about this for a moment, when a person receives directions from someone else, do they decide to simply get on the road and figure out a way, ignoring the directions given to them? Not often, that would be foolish. But we often do this to God when we rely on our own experiences and understanding rather than trusting what He has said in His Word.
When we decide to trust our feelings, educations, perceptions or our own ways of doing things, we basically say to God, "I don't trust your way." This is pride. On the other hand, when we choose to trust God and His Word as an act of our will, no matter what it may look like in the natural, we demonstrate humility through our trust in His directions. By making the Word your final authority and making a quality decision to place your faith in God at all costs, you will experience His best in every situation. Start today!
