A Fresh Look at a Familiar Passage about Trusting God

Inside: Sometimes, the Bible verses we know best are the ones that implant themselves in our minds, play on repeat for days and call us to dig deeper for practical help. ~

If you ask the Internet for the best Bible verses to help you start the new year, Proverbs 3:5-6 will likely be on the list.

It’s well-known and well-loved for good reason; it’s packed with solid truth and instruction. And yet, it’s so familiar we might skim right past when we see or hear it.

Every so often, though, it’s the verses we know best that implant themselves in our minds. They play on repeat for days or weeks, calling us to dig deeper for practical, timely help.

Such was the case for me recently with Proverbs 3:5-6.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (ESV)

Initially, the phrase that jumped out at me was the part about not leaning on your own understanding. At the time, it was my lack of understanding about a technical issue that was frustrating me. I needed guidance, and I wasn’t sure where to get it.

Sound familiar? Those kinds of details are often elusive, especially when it comes to more pressing problems in our lives. But perhaps Proverbs 3:5-6 can encourage us as we wait for answers.

Trusting God with Our Whole Heart

I want to trust in the Lord with all my heart—I really do. I’m guessing you do too. That said, the only way I know to even attempt to reach that goal is to try to trust Him right now, about whatever detail is concerning me this minute.

Step by step. One step at a time.

You know the drill, but the thing about drills is that they develop discipline. Which, as it turns out, seems to be an integral part of trusting God.

Leaning on Divine Understanding

Most of us can access plenty of knowledge about the issues we’re facing. But understanding what to do with all that information? That presents a whole new set of challenges.

God’s wisdom will guide us, though we often forget to ask for it. Or we expect it will arrive in our brains like a full set of blueprints, rather than in bits and pieces, as per usual.

Whatever the case, 2 Chronicles 20:12 is a good place to start: “We do not know what to do but our eyes are on you.” (NIV)

Submitting to Him in All Our Ways

This part is tricky, because while we are often content to submit to God in certain areas, there are others where we prefer to retain control. We think it’s up to us to make it work, or we forget God may have completely different purposes for us.

Proverbs 3:6 doesn’t tell us to submit to Him in some of our ways, though. “All” covers, well, everything. The good news is that we can move in that direction by sharing our hopes, concerns and desires with God in prayer, then following them up with, “Thy will be done.”

He Will Make our Paths Straight

According to GotQuestions.org, this phrase means that “God will align our thoughts, intentions, and actions with His own.” Allowing Him to do this “requires humility and a willingness to surrender our plans and desires to the sovereign will of God.”

That sounds familiar, doesn’t it? While we’d like step-by-step instructions about our latest project, God wants us to become more like Him.

I’m still trying to figure out some of the technical issues I mentioned earlier. But thinking through Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds me—and perhaps you too—that matters of the heart are what really matter.

We can hold everything else loosely, knowing that God will provide the wisdom to complete the work He has for us, whatever that might be.

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Is there a familiar verse that took on greater significance at a particular stage of your life? Please tell us about it in the comments. And a very happy new year to you all!

♥ Lois

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Paula at Sweet Tea & Friends, #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.