Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart: Why We Struggle and How to Overcome It

Life is filled with moments that test our faith. Whether it’s a sudden loss, an unanswered prayer, or a season of uncertainty, we often find ourselves asking, “Why is it so hard to trust God?” The Bible gives us a clear directive in Proverbs 3:5 (KJV): “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Yet, despite this timeless wisdom, many of us struggle to fully surrender our worries, plans, and fears to God. Why is that? And how can we move from doubt to deep, unwavering trust in Him?

One of the primary reasons we fail to trust God is our reliance on our own understanding. We live in a world that values logic, control, and self-sufficiency. We want to figure things out on our own, to have a plan, and to see the path ahead clearly. But God’s ways are not our ways, and His thoughts are not our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9). When we lean on our own understanding, we limit ourselves to what we can see and comprehend. God, on the other hand, sees the bigger picture. He knows the end from the beginning, and His plans for us are good (Jeremiah 29:11). Trusting Him requires us to let go of our need for control and to believe that He is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).

Another reason we struggle to trust God is fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of being disappointed—these emotions can paralyze us and keep us from fully relying on God. But the Bible repeatedly reminds us to “fear not.” In Isaiah 41:10 (KJV), God says, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” When we allow fear to dominate our hearts, we are essentially saying that God is not big enough to handle our problems. But the truth is, He is greater than any fear, any obstacle, or any uncertainty we face.

Sometimes, our lack of trust stems from past hurts or unanswered prayers. Maybe you’ve prayed for healing, for a loved one, or for a specific outcome, and it didn’t happen the way you hoped. It’s easy to feel let down, to wonder if God is listening, or to question His goodness. But even in those moments, we must remember that God’s timing is perfect, and His ways are higher than ours. Psalm 34:18 (KJV) assures us that “the Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” He is close to us in our pain, and He is working in ways we may not yet understand.

So, how do we move from doubt to trust? It starts with a decision—a choice to believe that God is who He says He is. Trusting God doesn’t mean that life will always be easy or that we’ll have all the answers. It means that we choose to rely on His character, His promises, and His faithfulness, even when circumstances are difficult. Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV) doesn’t just tell us to trust; it also tells us how: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” When we acknowledge God in every area of our lives—our relationships, our careers, our finances, our health—He promises to guide us.

Trusting God also requires us to spend time in His Word and in prayer. The more we get to know Him, the easier it becomes to trust Him. Romans 10:17 (KJV) says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” As we read the Bible, we see story after story of God’s faithfulness—to Abraham, to Moses, to David, and to countless others. These stories remind us that God is trustworthy, even when our circumstances seem overwhelming.

Finally, trusting God means surrendering our need for immediate answers. It means being patient and waiting on His timing. Psalm 27:14 (KJV) encourages us, “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Waiting is never easy, but it is in the waiting that our faith is refined and our trust in God deepens.

If you’re struggling to trust God today, know that you’re not alone. We all face moments of doubt and fear. But God is patient with us, and He meets us where we are. Take a moment to reflect on His promises. Remind yourself of His faithfulness in the past. And make the choice to trust Him with your present and your future.

I’d love to hear from you. What’s one area of your life where you’re finding it hard to trust God? Share in the comments below, and let’s encourage one another to lean on His promises. Remember, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart”—not just part of it, but all of it. He is worthy of our trust, and He will never let us down.