Our struggles to trust God
There’s an old story about a man who falls off a cliff. He’s going to die, but he throws out a hand and miraculously catches a branch:
“Is anyone up there?”
“Yes.”
“Who are you?”
“I am God, and I am going to save you.”
“Wonderful. What should I do?”
“Let go of the branch.”
(Pause.) “Is anybody else up there?”
Taken from John Ortberg, Love Beyond Reason (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1998).
Scripture says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him (God) must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6).
In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, there’s a source of strength that has withstood the test of time, transcending centuries, cultures, and personal trials. It’s the unwavering faith of those who have learned the transformative power of trusting God. Even though we know that God alone is trustworthy, but there are difficult times in life that may sow the seeds of doubt in our hearts.
We human beings need constant reminders that life may be harsh, but God is good.
Let us see the Bible verses which remind us we can trust God in all circumstances of life.
1. Trust in the Lord’s Guidance: Bible verses
Trusting in the Lord’s guidance brings peace and assurance. By surrendering our plans and desires to Him, we acknowledge His wisdom and sovereignty over our lives. Even in times of uncertainty, we can rely on His direction, knowing that He has a perfect plan and will lead us on the right path.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (BSB) Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. 7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
- Proverbs 16:3 (BSB) Commit your works to the LORD and your plans will be achieved.
- Psalm 37:5 (BSB) Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will do it.
- Proverbs 30:5 (BSB) Every word of God is flawless; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
- Psalm 143:8 (BSB) Let me hear Your loving devotion in the morning, for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul.
These verses encourage us to trust in the Lord’s guidance and commit our ways to Him. When we lean on His understanding and trust His plans, He will direct our paths.
2. Trust in God in times of Fear: Scriptures
- Psalm 56:3 (BSB) When I am afraid, I put my trust in You.
- Isaiah 41:10 (BSB) Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness.
- Psalm 91:2 (BSB) I will say to the LORD, “You are my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
- Psalm 34:8 (BSB) Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!
- Psalm 112:7 He does not fear bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
In times of fear or distress, these verses remind us to trust in God for refuge and strength. He is our shelter and a source of comfort during challenging moments.
3. Confidence in God’s Protection:
- Psalm 9:10 (BSB) Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
- Nahum 1:7 (BSB) The LORD is good, a stronghold in the day of distress; He cares for those who trust in Him.
- Psalm 46:1 (BSB) God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.
- Psalm 125:1 (BSB) Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion. It cannot be moved; it abides forever.
- Proverbs 3:26 (BSB) for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare.
These verses highlight the idea that those who trust in the Lord find protection and security in Him. He is a stronghold in times of trouble.
4. Trust in God’s Faithfulness and Blessings
- Psalm 37:3 (BSB) Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and cultivate faithfulness.
- Psalm 20:7 (BSB) Some trust in chariots and others in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
- Psalm 12:6 (BSB) The words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace, like gold purified sevenfold.
- Psalm 28:7 (BSB) The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices, and I give thanks to Him with my song.
Trusting in God leads to blessings and goodness in our lives. He provides for and helps those who trust in Him.
5. Do not be anxious about anything but trust in the Lord
- Proverbs 29:25 (BSB) The fear of man is a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is set securely on high.
- 1 Peter 5:7 (BSB) Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
- Matthew 6:25-26 (BSB) Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
26 Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
28 And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: They do not labor or spin.
29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these.
30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’
32 For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.
33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.
34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Today has enough trouble of its own. - Psalm 62:8 (BSB) Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him. God is our refuge. Selah
- Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Psalm 55:22 (BSB) Cast your burden upon the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken.
These verses teach us not to worry or be anxious about life’s challenges but to cast our cares on God and find peace and security in Him. He is our father, and He cares for us. Those put their trust in God will not be anxious about anything.
6. Hope and confidence in God in difficult times
- Isaiah 12:2 (BSB) Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. For the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and He also has become my salvation.”
- Romans 15:13 (BSB) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- 2 Corinthians 3:4-5 (BSB) Such confidence before God is ours through Christ.
5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim that anything comes from us, but our competence comes from God. - 1 Timothy 4:10 (BSB) To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe.
Trusting God fills us with hope and confidence. He is the source of our strength and a reason to be joyful.
7. Trusting God’s Plans and Timing: God keeps His promises
- Jeremiah 17:7 (BSB) But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.
- Psalm 62:2 (BSB) He alone is my rock and my salvation. He is my fortress; I will never be shaken.
- Psalm 37:7 (BSB) Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men prosper in their ways, when they carry out wicked schemes.
- Jeremiah 29:11 (BSB) For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.
Sometimes in life when things don’t go according to our plans and we lose patience and become restless. These verses highlight the importance of trusting God’s plans and timing, even when we may not fully understand or see the way forward.
8. Finding Refuge and Assurance:
- Isaiah 50:10 (BSB) Who among you fears the LORD and obeys the voice of His Servant? Who among you walks in darkness and has no light? Let him trust in the name of the LORD; let him lean on his God.
- Psalm 43:5 (BSB) Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God.
- Psalm 40:4 (BSB) Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, who has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.
- Hebrews 6:19 (BSB) We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
Trusting in God provides us with a sense of refuge and assurance, even in times of uncertainty and darkness.
9. Trust God forever: Keep your focus on God
Isaiah 26:4 Trust in the LORD forever, because GOD the LORD is the Rock eternal.
2 Samuel 22:31 As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.
These verses remind us we need not carry the weight of the world on our shoulders. Instead, we can cast our anxieties, fears, and doubts upon a loving and unwavering source of strength – the shadow of the Almighty. In moments of fear, when the future seems uncertain, or when we face adversity, these verses encourage us to seek refuge in the steadfast presence of God.
As we reflect on these verses, may it may inspire us to cultivate a deeper trust in God. May we find solace in His guidance, strength in His promises, and hope in His unchanging love. Scripture says, “….God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (BSB).
So that your trust may be in the LORD, I instruct you today—yes, you. – Proverbs 22:19 (BSB)