Trusting God can feel like an uphill battle when life’s uncertainties loom large. It’s often easier to cling to anxiety, a familiar companion, than to surrender control to a divine being we’ve never physically met. Yet, the Bible offers timeless wisdom on why trusting God is both necessary and transformative. This post explores why anxiety feels safer, what it takes to trust God fully, and the peace that follows when we do, grounded in the promises of the Bible.
Why Anxiety Feels Safer
Anxiety, though uncomfortable, is tangible. It’s a response we can feel, measure, and even justify when facing life’s challenges, whether financial struggles, health crises, or broken relationships. Trusting God, on the other hand, requires faith in someone invisible, whose plans we cannot fully grasp. The human heart naturally gravitates toward what it can control, and anxiety gives the illusion of control through worry and overthinking. As Proverbs 3:5-6 instructs, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Letting go of our own understanding is daunting because it demands vulnerability and surrender, which feel risky when we’re used to managing our fears ourselves.
The Path to Trusting God
Trusting God completely begins with a deliberate choice to shift our focus from our problems to His promises. It requires building a relationship with Him through prayer, reading Scripture, and reflecting on His faithfulness. Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” This commitment isn’t a one-time act but a daily practice of releasing our burdens and believing God will act in His perfect timing.
Another key step is meditating on God’s character. He is unchanging, all-powerful, and loving, as seen in Isaiah 26:4: “Trust ye in the Lord for ever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” Knowing God’s attributes helps us trust that He is capable of handling our challenges, even when we don’t see immediate results. Fellowship with other believers also strengthens trust, as shared testimonies remind us of God’s faithfulness.
The Fruit of Trusting God
When we truly trust God, a profound peace replaces anxiety. This peace isn’t the absence of problems but the assurance that God is in control. Philippians 4:6-7 promises, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” This peace guards our hearts, freeing us from the grip of worry and filling us with hope.
Trusting God also deepens our faith. When we see Him work in our lives, perhaps through answered prayers or unexpected provision, we grow more confident in His care. John 14:1 records Jesus saying, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.” Trusting Jesus as our Savior and mediator strengthens our connection to God, making trust a lived experience rather than an abstract concept.
Moving Forward
Clinging to anxiety may feel safer, but it robs us of the peace and strength that come from trusting God. By choosing to commit our ways to Him, meditating on His Word, and leaning on His promises, we can overcome the fear of the unknown. Verses like Psalm 56:3 – “What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee” – remind us that trust is a choice we can make in every moment of fear. The journey to trusting God fully is worth it, for it leads to a life anchored in His unshakable love and peace.
For more related reading, view “My Safe Space“.
