Learning to trust God is not easy. It’s a process. It’s a life-long journey. God gives us a measure of faith to believe in Him, and it is impossible to please Him without it. But then we have to act on the faith He gives, and that is a process.
One day our faith can seem strong. We feel invincible. We know God is sovereign and we find great peace and rest in knowing that. On such days, it is easy to quote 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. On other days, we are reminded how weak and helpless we are. Then, Mark 9:24 is more relevant to how we feel: “I believe; help my unbelief.”
King David is described in the Bible as ‘a man after God’s heart’ (Acts 13:22). Yet even David’s wavering feelings are evident in Scripture. Many of David’s songs and prayers are recorded for us in the Psalms. David said, “I love you, O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer. . . The Lord my God lightens my darkness. . . His way is perfect. . . He alone is my rock and my salvation., my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken. . . Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him. God is a refuge for us.” (Psalm 18, Psalm 62).
This same David also said, “Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble? . . . How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Psalm 10, Psalm 13). God was just as present in either case, but David’s feelings raised questions.
Through all the ups and downs, though our faith may waver, God is constant, He remains strong. Our confidence is not in ourselves, or our feelings of faith. Our confidence is in an almighty, all-powerful Creator who made us and loves us more than we can comprehend. Our faith may be fickle, but our God is not.
God knows how weak we are. He made us. He knows our frame. He remembers we are dust (Psalm 103:14). His grace is sufficient for us. His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians12:9). Our faith is not in our ability, but in His ability to be faithful. When doubts enter our minds, we need only to remember who God is.
Each of us is a work in progress. God began a good work in us when He stirred faith in our hearts. He will complete what he started. Learning to trust Him comes from knowing Him. He reveals His character as we encounter Him in Scripture. Reading the Bible is essential. The more we read, the more He proves Himself. We learn to know Him through the experience of answered prayer. Time spent in prayer is essential. Day by day, as we spend time with Him through prayer and Bible study, our faith grows. Then we can say, with David, “He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.” Psalm 62:2.
How are you learning to trust God? Please leave a comment below.
Blessings,
Phyllis
Copyright 2025 Phyllis L. Farringer
Image by Rene Gossner from Pixabay
