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, NIV
The Bible is our roadmap. Inside it, we find verse after verse encouraging us and teaching us how to live in a way that honors God. Proverbs 3:5-6 is no exception.
This verse shares a life-giving truth: If we trust in God with our whole hearts and submit our lives to him, he’s faithful to show us our next steps. We won’t walk alone.
But what does it mean to trust in the Lord with all your heart? Let’s break this verse down and talk about some ways to live it out.
What’s Here:
Trust in the Lord With All Your Heart Meaning
To help us understand the truth found in any verse in the Bible, we can break down key words. Let’s do that now with Proverbs 3:5.
- Trust: The Hebrew word for “trust” in this verse is bāṭaḥ,or batach. When translated, it means “to have confidence in or to be sure of.” When you trust in someone, you have confidence or assurance that you can rely on them. You know they won’t hurt you, and you’re sure they’ll follow through with what they promise. For example, you can trust a friend and have confidence in their consistent love and support.
- Heart: Sometimes “heart” can refer to that beating thing inside of your chest. But in this case, it means something deeper. The Hebrew word in this verse is lēḇ, pronounced lave. While it can mean the heart itself, it often means the innermost parts of you, for example, your soul, your mind, your will and your understanding. Think of “heart” in this verse as your control room, full of buttons and knobs that make you think, feel and act.
- Lean: Such a simple little word, isn’t it? In Hebrew, it’s šāʿan pronounced shaw-an’, and means to support oneself. It also means totrust in. Think about it this way: When you lean on a wall to rest after standing for a while, you trust that wall to hold you up.
- Understanding: Understanding is bînâ in Hebrew, which is pronounced bee-naw’. This word means knowledge and can also be used for wisdom.
Now, let’s put it all together.
To trust in the Lord with all your heart means to put all your confidence in God, fully relying on him and giving him control instead of your thoughts, feelings or knowledge.
It means to stop trying to figure everything out on your own and instead to let him lead in all aspects of your life.
What About Proverbs 3:6?
We’re glad you asked. Proverbs 3:6 is a continuation of Proverbs 3:5 and says, “In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (NIV).
When you follow the example in Proverbs 3:5, placing your confidence in God, fully relying on him and giving him control, you submit to him. When you submit, you yield to his authority. His ways become your ways. And through that submission, your path becomes straight.
The Hebrew word for “straight” is yâshar, which means to be right. His way is the right way. And when we follow it, we begin to live according to God’s perfect will for our lives.
God knows what’s best for you. He knows you inside and out and what tomorrow holds. By following his will and way, we can avoid the dangerous traps and detours we often find ourselves in, such as temptation and sin.
Remember, the Father is our Shepherd, and he knows the way. He’s the Way Maker. You can trust him to guide you.
The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. — Psalm 23:1-3, NIV
How to Trust in the Lord With All Your Heart: 4 Ways
Choosing to trust in the Lord with all your heart is something you must do each and every day. Here are four practical ways you can begin to actively trust God in your daily life.
1. Make Jesus Your Lord and Savior
Did you know that the word “Lord” refers to someone having power, authority and influence? One of the greatest acts of trust is making Jesus your Lord. This means placing him in a position of power, authority and influence over your life.
If you haven’t yet given your heart and life to Jesus, that’s the best place to start. Here are three steps you can follow right now:
- Admit to God that you’re a sinner in need of a Savior.
- Trust that Jesus died on the cross and rose again.
- Commit your life to following Jesus.
With your life given over to Jesus, you can begin to follow his way by yielding to him. Ask him for direction before you make decisions. Read the Bible and follow his example. By choosing his way over yours, you’re making him Lord. And through that, you’ll learn to trust him as you see the evidence of his faithfulness.
2. Go to God Before Others
When you have a big decision to make, who do you go to first? Maybe you call up a friend or a family member. While there’s nothing wrong with seeking advice, the best plan of action is to go to God in prayer and ask him for direction first.
God knows us better than anyone else. He also knows what’s truly best for us. While our friends and family might have good intentions, they won’t get it right all the time. But just like Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us, when we submit to God, trusting him with each decision, he leads us down the right path. Every single time.
3. Take Note of His Faithfulness
When we trust someone, we believe them to be reliable. Consider your closest friend for a moment. They keep your secrets when they promise they will. They show up when they say they’re going to. They follow through over and over again. That’s why you trust them.
You can learn to trust in the Lord with all your heart by remembering each time he has followed through too. Each day, take a few moments to think about his faithfulness. Jot down a few things he’s done for you throughout the day.
Another way to do this is to keep a prayer journal. Write down your prayers as you pray them. Each time he answers your prayers, take note! When you feel as if your trust is faltering, remind yourself of his faithfulness by reviewing your journal.
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. — Lamentations 3:22-23, NIV
4. Read the Word
The Bible features story after story of God’s faithfulness. In Genesis, God told Noah to build an ark for the coming flood. Even though people laughed at and mocked him, Noah built the boat. And soon the flood came, just as God said.
God provided water in the dry desert (Exodus 17:6). He provided food for the hungry (Matthew 14:19). He provided healing for the sick (Matthew 4:23). He provided a Savior (John 3:16).
By reading God’s Word, you’ll see how he keeps every promise he makes, building your faith. And as your faith increases, your trust in him will too.
When you trust in the Lord with all your heart and follow him, he’s faithful to lead you. And remember, his plans for us are good!
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV) says, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” These aren’t just words on a page — they’re a promise. And God always keeps his promises.
Today, choose to trust him and watch as he proves himself trustworthy in your life.
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