A very important question we must ask ourselves is, “Do you put your trust in the Lord?” Do we, in each area of our lives, trust God above everything else? Or have we put our trust in someone or something other than Him? The answer to this question is very telling of the condition of our hearts.
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV) provides the command we are given, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Don’t be discouraged if you haven’t put your trust in the Lord fully. Romans 3:23 brings comfort, “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” No one is exempt from missing the mark, but there is hope!
Our hope is found in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus made a way! He fills in the gaps where we’ve missed the mark!
10 Practical Ways To Put Your Trust In The Lord
In response to what Jesus has done, we can aim to love Him by learning to put our full trust in Him. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6) and it only makes sense that you choose to put your trust in the Lord. Jesus will show you the way in any circumstance. He can reveal the truth in any situation and He wants to give you abundant life. As believing believers, it’s time to truly, one hundred percent, put your trust in the Lord.
If you’re not sure where to start here are some practical ways to exercise and grow your trust muscle, regardless of the area of your life you need to surrender.
#1 – Choose Faith
Hebrews 11:6 ESV – “And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”
Faith is the key to accessing all the Jesus purchased on the cross. It is how we choose to believe that what God says is more true than any other voice we might be hearing…and that includes our own voice. Jesus calls us to have faith like a child and childlike faith doesn’t analyze or overthink. Instead, childlike faith says, “Yes Lord” or as Mary said, “may it be as you have said” (Luke 1:38). Chooses faith
#2 – Be Holy
1 Peter 1:14-16 ESV – “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, 15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
We are called to be holy or set apart. This is accomplished by obeying God’s Word. If you’re not sure how to live according to God’s Word in some area of your life get into the Word and find out what He says and begin living according to His commands. Remember, He is FOR you and not against you!
#3 – Choose Strength
Nehemiah 8:10 NIV – “Nehemiah said, ‘Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’ ”
Do you feel weak? That’s ok because the Lord wants to provide you with His strength. It’s not something you have to muster up. Instead, it’s something you receive from Him through joy. He wants His joy to be your strength. Joy is not a feeling or emotion, its a substance that we can receive from the Lord!
#4 – Choose Truth
John 8:31-32 NIV – “To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’ ”
When we feel stuck and are trusting ourselves more than we are trusting God, choosing to believe truth will set us free. It is a promise Jesus gave to us in John 8:32, “you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” In order to get free, in order to put your trust in the Lord, you need to spend time with the Word Himself (John 1:14). Getting the truth inside your heart will set you free to trust Him!
#5 – Trust In The Mystery
Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.“
Isn’t that comforting?! The Word of God, here in Proverbs, is telling us not to lean on our understanding. We don’t have to understand! That should set some of us free. When you put your trust in the Lord, you don’t have to worry because He’s got your back. He has your best interest in mind. The Lord Himself has plans to prosper you (Jeremiah 29:11). Choose to step into the freedom of trusting in the mystery and let go of trusting your own understanding!
#6 – Choose Hope
Romans 15:13 NIV – “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
When you choose to put your trust in the Lord, He steps in and fills you with hope, joy, and peace. Isn’t it amazing what choosing to put our hope and trust in Him results in? It’s not just a good idea, but a promise from the Word of God!
#7 – Choose Obedience
Matthew 28:19-20 NIV – “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Another way to put your trust in the Lord is to obey His commands. We’ve been given the Word of God, the recorded commands of the Lord, to live our lives. But the Bible is MORE than a book. John 1:14 reminds us that “the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.” We’re not following good information! When we obey the Word of God we are following the truths given to us directly from Jesus Himself, for He is the Word!
#8 – Be Filled
Ephesians 5:15-19 NIV – “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord”
We are not on our own and we don’t have to do life trying to connect with a far away Father. He has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit who lives inside of us and can fill us with His power and presence every day!
Will you choose to put your trust in the Lord? You can! Put these eight practical and biblical truths into practice to grow your trust in the Lord today.
