Trust in the Lord
Trusting in the Lord Like a Child: Insights from Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” — Proverbs 3:5-6.
These verses from Proverbs call us to a trust so complete and unreserved that it can only be described as childlike. But what does it truly mean to trust God like a child, especially in the complexity of adult life? Often, our struggles with trust arise from overthinking, self-reliance, and doubt. When we look at children, however, their faith is simple, raw, and full of hope. Their trust is not complicated by fears or scepticism.
Imagine a young child learning to ride a bicycle without training wheels for the first time. They rely entirely on the person holding the bike — often a parent — trusting they won’t fall even though the child cannot control every moment. The child’s trust is not based on fully understanding the mechanics of balance or steering but on knowing the adult is there to catch them. In the same way, Proverbs reminds us to trust the Lord wholly, even when we don’t understand the path ahead.
Another example is a child navigating a new playground. They don’t hesitate to explore, climb, or swing simply because a caregiver watches nearby. They don’t analyse every risk; they rest in the safety and presence of the one who cares for them. For us, the spiritual takeaway is to submit all our ways to God — to invite Him into every decision, uncertainty, and step forward, believing He is guiding us.
In adult life, trusting God often gets tangled with anxiety about outcomes or “what ifs.” Yet, the childlike trust encourages us to move beyond leaning on our limited understanding and lean fully on God’s wisdom. God’s ways are higher, His knowledge is infinite, and His love is unfailing. Just as a child doesn’t question the parent’s protective gaze, we are called to rest in God’s sovereign plan.
This passage also touches on the idea of direction — “He will make your paths straight.” When you trust God like a child trusts a parent or guardian, your journey gains clarity no matter how winding or confusing it feels. Your path becomes ‘straight’ in the sense that you are walking under His guidance, in His will, with confidence that your steps align with His purpose.
To cultivate this trust, we might begin by asking ourselves: What does it look like to truly let go of the need to control outcomes? How can we cultivate the innocence and dependence of a child in our spiritual journey? Can we admit that God’s understanding surpasses ours and take joy in the mystery of His plan?
In embracing the childlike trust Proverbs encourages, we find freedom. Freedom from the burden of self-reliance, freedom from anxiety over the unknown, and freedom in knowing that no matter the twist and turn of life’s paths, we are safely held by the One who loves us unconditionally.
Let us come before God with the simplicity and confidence of a child, trusting wholeheartedly, submitting all our ways to Him, and walking forward with the assurance that He will make our paths straight. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
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