Proverbs 3:5–6

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.”

For years, I thought I understood this verse. Whenever life got hard, I’d come back to it, trusting God to pull me out of whatever situation I’d found myself in. It was my reminder to rely on Him when things felt heavy or confusing.

But recently, during a time of prayer and reflection, the Holy Spirit revealed something deeper: this scripture isn’t just meant to be reactive, it’s meant to be proactive.

What if trusting God first could help us avoid some of the tough situations altogether? Instead of making our own plans, walking our own paths, and then asking God to rescue us when things fall apart, what if we let Him lead from the start?

The truth is, our understanding is limited. We can’t possibly see or know all things. That’s why when we rely on ourselves, the decisions we make with limited information often lead us into situations we were never meant to experience. When we depend on our own understanding, we create confusion, stress, and anxiety. But when we lean into the One who knows all things, we begin to live with peace, clarity, and direction.

Trusting God isn’t just about getting out of trouble. It’s about staying in step with Him so we don’t walk into it in the first place.

How Do You Trust God Proactively ?

1. Pause Before You Plan. Before making decisions, take a moment to invite God in. A simple prayer like “Lord, what do You want me to do?” can shift your posture from control to trust.

2. Seek His Wisdom Daily. Spend time in prayer or the Word before starting your day. The more familiar you become with His voice, the easier it is to recognize His direction.

3. Acknowledge God in Everything. Big or small, include Him in every area of your life, relationships, finances, health, and career. He wants to lead you in all things, not just the hard ones.

4. Listen and Obey Promptly. Sometimes God’s guidance won’t make sense right away, but obedience opens the door for clarity later.

5. Release the Outcome. Trusting God means believing that His plan is better, even when it doesn’t look like yours. Rest in knowing He sees the full picture.