Why You Don't Need All the Answers to Trust God

Many of us believe we need to have every detail planned out before we can trust God with our future. This post will explore why that's not the case and how faith can guide us even when we don't have all the answers, drawing from Proverbs 3:5-6. We often get caught up in needing to have the details ironed out, but it’s time to realize that true trust involves stepping forward without perfect vision. You can listen to today's companion podcast episode Trusting God with Tomorrow for further encouragement on this topic.

Introduction: The Illusion of Control

In our modern world, we are constantly bombarded with messages that emphasize control. We’re told we can control our diets, our careers, and even our happiness. The self-help industry thrives on the idea that with the right techniques and strategies, we can master our lives and eliminate uncertainty. This pervasive mindset often leads us to believe that we need to have all the answers before we can make a decision, especially when it comes to matters of faith. We want to know the exact outcome before we commit, the specific path before we step forward. But is this really how life works? Is this how we were designed to operate?

We like to think we’re in control. We make schedules, set goals, and build backup plans—because the unknown is uncomfortable. But no matter how tightly we hold on, life reminds us that control is an illusion. Plans change. Doors close. Detours come out of nowhere. And when that happens, we either panic—or we learn to trust the One who’s actually in control. This is where faith comes in. Faith isn't about having all the answers; it's about trusting that even when we don't, there is a loving and capable God who does.

Why We Think We Need All the Answers

Our desire for control stems from several deep-seated fears and insecurities. First, there's the fear of failure. We want to avoid making mistakes, experiencing setbacks, or facing negative consequences. By attempting to predict and control every outcome, we hope to minimize the risk of failure. Second, there's the fear of the unknown. Uncertainty can be unsettling, causing anxiety and stress. We crave the comfort of knowing what's ahead, even if that knowledge is illusory. Third, there's the fear of vulnerability. Trusting someone, especially God, requires us to give up some control and admit that we don't have all the answers. This can feel vulnerable, as it exposes us to the possibility of disappointment or pain.

The thing is, our culture often equates knowledge with power. We believe that the more information we have, the more equipped we are to make informed decisions and navigate life successfully. While knowledge is undoubtedly valuable, it's not a substitute for faith. We can accumulate vast amounts of information and still lack the wisdom and discernment needed to make the right choices. Sometimes, having too much information can even lead to paralysis, or, as it's sometimes called, paralysis by analysis. We become overwhelmed by the complexity of the situation. This is when we need to recognize the limitations of our own understanding and rely on God's guidance.

Proverbs 3:5-6: A Guide to Trust

Proverbs 3:5-6 offers a timeless prescription for navigating life's uncertainties: "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." 

This is more than just a good memory verse. It’s a daily blueprint for learning to let go and walk by faith. It challenges our natural inclination to rely on our own intellect and encourages us to trust in God's wisdom and guidance.

The first part of the verse, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart," emphasizes the importance of wholehearted devotion. It's not enough to trust God intellectually; we must trust Him emotionally and spiritually as well. Our trust must be deep-seated and unwavering, permeating every aspect of our being. The second part of the verse, "lean not on your own understanding," cautions us against relying solely on our own intellect and reasoning. While our minds are valuable tools, they are limited in their capacity to grasp the full scope of God's plan. We must recognize that our understanding is incomplete and that God's ways are often beyond our comprehension.

The final part of the verse, "in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight," offers a promise of divine guidance. When we surrender our plans and desires to God, He will direct our steps and lead us on the right path. This doesn't mean that life will be easy or that we will never face challenges. But it does mean that we can trust that God is working all things together for our good, even when we can't see the bigger picture.

What Does It Mean to 'Trust with All Your Heart'?

Trusting God with part of your heart is easy when things are going well.

But trusting Him with all your heart? That’s another story. Trusting God with all your heart goes beyond a mere intellectual assent to God's existence or a superficial acknowledgment of His power. It involves a deep, unwavering conviction that God is who He says He is and that He will do what He has promised. It's a commitment to relying on Him in every situation, regardless of the circumstances. Trusting with all your heart means:

• Believing in God's goodness: This means acknowledging that God is inherently good and that His intentions toward us are always loving and benevolent. Even when we don't understand His ways, we can trust that He has our best interests at heart.
• Relying on God's wisdom: It's recognizing that God's wisdom far surpasses our own and that He sees the bigger picture. We can trust that His guidance is always the best, even when it contradicts our own desires or plans.
• Surrendering to God's will: It's releasing our grip on control and allowing God to direct our steps. We acknowledge that His plan for our lives is better than anything we could have imagined for ourselves.
• Having faith in God's promises: It's clinging to the promises in Scripture and believing that God will fulfill them in our lives. We trust that He will provide for our needs, protect us from harm, and ultimately bring us to a place of eternal glory.

Trusting with all your heart is not a passive act; it requires active engagement and intentionality. It's a daily choice to prioritize God's will over our own and to seek His guidance in every decision we make.

Let Go of the 'How' and Focus on the 'Who'

One of the biggest obstacles to trusting God is our tendency to focus on the "how" instead of the "who." We get so caught up in figuring out the details of how God will accomplish His purposes that we lose sight of the fact that He is the one in control. We become fixated on the logistics, the timelines, and the potential obstacles, and we forget to simply trust in God's power and ability.

Letting go of the "how" means shifting our focus from the mechanics of God's plan to the character of God. It means reminding ourselves of His faithfulness, His power, and His unwavering love for us. When we focus on the "who," we can trust that He will work out the details in His own perfect timing and in His own perfect way. We don't need to know all the answers; we just need to know that God is in control. As mentioned in the episode Trusting God with Tomorrow, we don't need the details; we need the deeper trust.

This doesn't mean that we should be passive or irresponsible. We should still use our God-given intellect and abilities to make wise decisions and plan for the future. But we should do so with an attitude of humility and surrender, recognizing that our plans are ultimately subject to God's will. We should hold our plans loosely, willing to adjust them as God leads us in a different direction.

Practical Steps to Surrender and Trust

Surrendering to God and trusting Him with all our heart is not always easy, but it is possible. Here are some practical steps we can take to cultivate a deeper sense of trust:

1. Spend time in prayer: Prayer is a powerful tool for connecting with God and seeking His guidance. When we pray, we can confess our fears and anxieties, ask for wisdom and discernment, and surrender our plans to His will.
2. Read and meditate on Scripture: The Bible is full of promises and assurances of God's love, faithfulness, and power. Reading and meditating on Scripture can help us to internalize these truths and build our faith.
3. Practice gratitude: Gratitude is a powerful antidote to fear and anxiety. When we focus on the blessings in our lives, we are reminded of God's goodness and provision.
4. Seek counsel from trusted friends and mentors: Talking to trusted friends and mentors can provide valuable perspective and encouragement. They can help us to see things from a different angle and offer wise counsel based on their own experiences.
5. Take small steps of faith: Trusting God is like building a muscle; it gets stronger with practice. Start by taking small steps of faith in areas where you feel comfortable, and gradually increase the level of risk as your trust grows.
6. Remember God's past faithfulness: Reflecting on times when God has been faithful in the past can strengthen our trust in Him for the future. Remembering how He has provided for us, protected us, and guided us can give us the courage to face new challenges.

Surrendering and trusting God is a lifelong journey, not a one-time event. There will be times when we struggle with doubt and fear, but we can always return to God and ask for His help. He is always there, waiting to embrace us with His love and guide us with His wisdom.

The Freedom in Not Knowing: Embracing Faith

There is a profound freedom that comes from not needing to know all the answers. When we embrace faith, we release ourselves from the burden of control and allow God to lead us on an adventure. We open ourselves up to new possibilities and experiences that we never could have imagined on our own. We discover a sense of peace and contentment that transcends our circumstances.

Embracing faith means accepting that there will always be unknowns in life. It means being willing to step into the darkness, trusting that God will light our path. It means being comfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity, knowing that God is working all things together for our good, even when we can't see the bigger picture.

The freedom in not knowing is not about being reckless or irresponsible. It's about trusting that God is in control and that He will guide us every step of the way. It's about relinquishing our need for certainty and embracing the adventure of faith. When we do, we discover a life that is richer, more meaningful, and more fulfilling than we ever could have imagined.

Trust God with Tomorrow, Today

Trusting God doesn't require us to have all the answers. In fact, it's in letting go of our need for control and certainty that we truly experience the freedom and peace that God offers. As Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, we are called to trust in the Lord with all our heart, lean not on our own understanding, and submit to Him in all our ways. When we do, He will make our paths straight.

Don't let the illusion of control keep you from experiencing the joy and fulfillment of a life lived in faith. Embrace the unknown, surrender your plans to God, and trust that He will guide you every step of the way. Today's companion episode, Trusting God with Tomorrow, offers additional insights and encouragement on this topic. Start trusting God with tomorrow, today, and watch as He transforms your life in ways you never thought possible.