Learning to Trust in God

Learning to trust God can be pretty challenging for believers. Throughout our faith journey, there may be times when we have no problem trusting our Lord, while other times, it's almost impossible. Why is this?

In the last post, we explored how faith calls us to walk by faith, not by sight. We are to trust in God and have faith in His promises. This journey is a daily walk, and it can frankly be hard. How do we learn to trust a God we can't see, feel, or touch? How can we trust that God guides us each day when we can't see the whole picture?

Trusting God means letting go of control, surrendering our lives and plans, and knowing He will guide us. But trusting Him is not always easy. We must grow into it step-by-step as we walk with our Lord. In this post, we'll explore why it's so difficult to trust God and practical ways to learn to trust Him more deeply.

Why is it So Hard to Trust God?

Many of us have experienced relationships with others that left us scared, physically hurt, depressed, and worse. Unfortunately, this happens between humans. These relationships make it almost impossible to trust other humans, let alone God.

Trust is the basis of all relationships. Trust in another human can include loyalty, security, comfort, and happiness. You can feel safe with them and have confidence they won't hurt you. However, the opposite is also true when trust is broken. Lack of trust can bring depression, anxiety, negativity, fear, and more.

If your experience with human relationships has been painful, how can you learn to trust God?

Stop trusting in mere humans who have but a breath in their nostrils. Why hold them in esteem?

Isaiah 2:22

Human Nature

As humans, our reality is in the here and now, whatever the moment holds. We may be going through a highly successful time of life or struggling with losses, such as the death of a loved one, illness, job loss, and more. Many of us find it easy to believe God in the good times. But when the hard times of life hit, we struggle to believe that He truly cares.

Not only that, but we also want to be in control and independent. In the West, individualism has taken over society, placing the individual first over everyone and everything. People who feel in control of their lives do not need God. They look to themselves to get through all life has to give.

Fear and Uncertainty

Another issue humans have is that we live in linear time, while God entirely exists outside of time. Linear time means that we perceive time as a continuous line. Each moment follows on the heels of the last. On the other hand, God can access the past, present, and future all at once. That's mind-blowing!

With the linear time perspective, we can't see the future and what it holds. We can't predict what will happen. How will things work out? From this perspective, it's easy to fall into fear and lack of trust in God. The result? Our faith can begin to falter like Peter's.

In Matthew 14:28-31, Peter is overcome with joy by Jesus walking on the water. He asked Jesus to command him to walk on the water. So, Jesus told Peter to come to him. At first, Peter walks on the water but becomes distracted by the fierce wind and waves. Peter began to sink into the water the minute he took his eyes off Christ. He was afraid and cried out to Jesus to save him.

When we focus on our human perspective, trusting God is hard. We become distracted by fear and the circumstances we're facing. Yet, what we should be doing is the opposite. We must focus on God all the more and trust that He is working on our behalf.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

Past Disappointments

Many of us carry wounds from what we perceive as unanswered prayers or past disappointments. When things don't turn out as we hoped, it can be hard to trust God. It can be challenging to believe He has a good plan for us. Why does this happen?

Some believers desire immediate results when they pray. They expect God to answer their prayers quickly. However, God has His own timing. He answers prayers when He knows it's the right time. In the meantime, it can feel like God is silent.

Another issue is that we may also want our preferred outcomes to prayer. We may feel frustrated and disillusioned when things don't go according to our prayers/plans. Here, again, God knows what's best for us. We must understand that God is not a genie or Santa Claus. He will not bring us everything we want or deliver specific outcomes just because we ask or demand it be so.

Wrong motivations are another common reason for prayers going unanswered. God understands our motives, though we may not always see or understand ourselves. Our motives may be selfish, we may not have full knowledge like God, or they may go against God's plans.

We must also remember that God sees the big picture and sometimes answers “No” to our requests. He has a very good reason for doing so; however, we’re not able to see what He sees. We don’t understand, but our Lord has a good reason for answering no. We may never understand it, but that’s OK. This is where we need to trust that God has our best interests at heart.

For great is His love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord ensures forever.

Psalm 117:2

Misperceptions About God

Sometimes, we struggle to trust God because we don't understand Him or fully know His character. We may project our experiences with flawed human relationships onto God, assuming He may let us down.

You may not be that familiar with the Bible and have heard some stories that left you wondering about His character. In that case, it’s not uncommon to see God as demanding, angry, unapproachable, etc.

In that case, how can we trust in God? What if we anger Him, and in that anger, He harms us?

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:1

Cultural Influences

In a society that emphasizes self-reliance, individualism, and rationalism, trusting God can feel like we're going against the norms. We're taught to take control of our destiny, making it almost impossible to surrender our lives to God. This internal struggle is another reason that many don't trust God. It can feel like a constant internal battle unless we surrender our lives to God.

Today, we live in a digital age where we’re constantly bombarded with negative, tragic, and scary information. We’ve become addicted to our constant news streams, social media, and instant gratification when we want something (just order from your Amazon app!).

When things go well, we're comfortable, happy, and fulfilled. But what happens when things go wrong? Who can help in the midst of troubles? Sometimes, we're fortunate to have friends and family who can help, but not always. We may find ourselves ultimately on our own.

What's the result of our modern culture? Many people suffer from anxiety and depression. They expect instant gratification and have trouble surrendering control of their lives to God. The ultimate result is deep, intense suffering and a longing for someone to help them.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.

Isaiah 26:3-4

Spiritual Warfare

Trusting God may also be challenging because of a spiritual battle. The enemy tries to plant seeds of doubt and fear in us so that we will believe and trust in God's goodness.

All of these issues are common to us humans. Is it even possible to learn to trust God?

But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

2 Thessalonians 3:3

Learning to Trust God

Now that we've explored why it's difficult to trust in God, let's examine some practical ways we can grow to trust Him.

1. Learn About God’s Character & Who He Is

As in any relationship, knowing and learning about the other person is necessary. The same applies in a relationship with God. But how can we get to know Him?

Start by regularly reading and studying the Bible. Through the Bible, we learn that God wants a relationship with each of us. He loves you, and He loves me. That's in the Bible! In the pages of this holy book, He reveals His nature: God is loving, merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness (Exodus 34:6). Doesn't that sound like someone you can trust?

Another way to encounter God and learn about Him is through prayer. As in any relationship, spending time with the other person is necessary. You get to know them and understand them. Prayer is how we can spend time with our Lord and learn how He communicates, loves us, and much more.

2. Reflect on God’s Faithfulness

Are there times when you receive an answer to prayer? More than one time? When you’re struggling to trust God, look back on these past blessings and know He is faithful. God is with you and will take care of you now and in the future, as He did in the past.

One method to remember God’s faithfulness is to keep a prayer journal. You can record answered prayers or moments of God’s intervention that helped you. These reflections can serve as powerful reminders when doubts pop up.

There are some great examples of people who remembered God's faithfulness in hard times. One of these was David. David was a shepherd chosen by God to be king of Israel. God chose him with the future in mind. David had years to get through before he would be king.

God was faithful to David throughout these years and into the future. During these times, David learned that God was always faithful and that He would follow through on His promises to David's descendants. You can learn more about David in 2 Samuel 7 and by reading through the Psalms. Like we all do, David struggled with trusting and keeping faith in God. But he managed to maintain his trust in God throughout his long life.

3. Surrender Your Life and Plans

Trusting God can also mean surrendering control of your life and plans to Him. You must also surrender your fears and desires, asking that His will be done. It's not easy, but it's essential.

4. Trust God in Community

Surround yourself with others who are also learning to trust God. We’re not meant to walk this journey alone. As Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages, we should meet together and encourage one another, especially in our faith. Sharing your struggles with trusted friends can help strengthen your trust in God.

5. Experiencing Spiritual Warfare

When you’re undergoing spiritual attacks, head for your Bible. Read Ephesians 6:10-18, where you’ll learn about “putting on the whole armor of God.” These verses provide excellent explanations of the armor. When you wear this armor, you’ll be able to know that God is helping you withstand the attacks of the evil one.

Remember to read, study, and memorize key Scriptures, as it says in Psalm 119:11 NKJV: “Your word I have hidden in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11

Conclusion: A Lifelong Journey

Trusting God isn't a one-and-done decision. It's a lifelong journey. Every day brings new opportunities to surrender control and lean into His faithfulness. As we walk with Him, our trust will deepen. He guides us through every uncertainty, reminding us that we can trust Him, even when we can't see what's up ahead.

Are you ready to take the next step in deepening your trust in God? Trusting Him isn’t always easy. But it’s in these moments of surrender that we find true strength and peace.

As you reflect on areas where you struggle to trust—whether due to fear, past disappointments, or the desire for control—ask God to help you release these burdens into His hands. Trust may not come easily, but it will grow as you lean on His faithfulness. Take time this week to reflect on areas where you’re holding back. Ask God to help you release control into His capable hands. We have a God who loves you deeply; He sent His only Son to die for you!

He loves you with an everlasting love that doesn’t change. You can count on our Lord every day and for years to come.

If this post encouraged you, share it with someone who needs to hear this message. Let's continue to support one another as we walk this faith journey, learning to trust in God.

God bless,

PS If you'd like to find apps for prayer, Bible study, etc., head over to our Resources page!