Trust Matters

Trust matters. Trustworthiness matters. Security is a firm foundation. Think about it – most of us get anxious, stressed, and/or distracted when we’re insecure. Trust matters!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make straight your paths.”

Proverbs 3:5-6

These verses are familiar to many of us. Yesterday, my pastor shared about them because our church is at an exciting turning point. I loved how fresh they became to me again.

Let’s go backwards:

“God will make straight our paths.”

Isn’t this a great promise? We may have our plans and desires, but we’re wise to let God lead. On our own, we’ll go left and right and back and forth. We’ll be confused and lost and confuse anyone trying to follow us. God will make our paths straight. He will clear obstructions and help us move forward. We will be able to proceed with confidence. Does this appeal to you?

• Why do you want God to make straight your paths? What do you think you need to do, if anything, so He will do this for you?
• How do you think your children would answer these questions? Is there anything you could talk about?

“In all your ways acknowledge Him.”

If we want God to make our paths straight and sure, we need to acknowledge Him in ALL our ways. As my pastor taught, this isn’t a head nod with eye contact you might give someone when you notice him enter a room. “Acknowledge” here means to relate to God as God. To bow our head. Also, this statement is a command in the original language.

• Are there times and certain situations when you have not been acknowledging God? Slow down and ask God to show you the reasons. Is there anything you can do so you’re acknowledging God in all your ways? Make changes and expect God to straighten your paths.
• Are you motivated to relate to God as God? Remember that when you do, He will make straight your paths.
• How do you think your children would answer these questions? Is there anything you could talk about?

“Do not lean on your own understanding.”

God wants us to think and reason, using Scripture as a standard and filter. He just doesn’t want us to rely on our understanding. This instruction precedes acknowledging God in all our ways and God making our paths straight. When we don’t trust our understanding, we’ll know we need to acknowledge and depend on God.

• Are you thinking or passively walking through life? Is God’s Word your standard and filter through which you evaluate your ideas? Are any changes in order?
• Do you think so much you believe you don’t need God’s take on things? Are any changes in order?
• How do you think your children would answer these questions? Is there anything you could talk about?

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart.”

This is how the passage begins. We are to trust in God with ALL our heart. This is a command, with “trust” meaning “reliance, confidence in.” It’s an active verb. It’s something we do and keep doing.

When we choose to trust in God, it’s easier to not rely on our understanding of people and situations. We’ll see the contrast between God’s thorough, accurate, and true ideas and our thoughts. We’ll want to trust in Him.

• Are you currently trusting God with all your heart? Is all of you confident in Him and leaning on Him and what He teaches you? Or are you holding part of yourself back, doubting? Are any changes in order?
• How do you think your children would answer these questions? Is there anything you could talk about?

God first. In all things. With all thoughts. For all feelings. Totally. He is worthy of our trust.

Parenting Implication

You want your children to listen to you. To obey. To learn. To mature because of your influence. What if you parented so your children want to trust you, not depend on themselves, acknowledge you, and depend on you to make their paths straight.

I’m not suggesting you can do this for your children instead of pointing them to  God. But, wouldn’t it be great if we begin to behave like God because we rely on Him and acknowledge Him totally? This will strengthen our children and our relationship with them and point them to God. We’ll be making Him attractive to them as they see us rely on Him.

Can you put your name in the place of God’s in this passage?

“Children, you can trust in me with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge me,

and I will make straight your paths.”

Will you make their paths straight? Are you working to parent this way? To clear obstructions and make the best way obvious?

Do you invite your children to acknowledge you in ALL their ways? Are they able to listen consistently? Do they care what you think?

Do your children know that leaning on their own understanding is foolish and even dangerous?

Can your children trust you easily so they know their own understanding is unnecessary? Are you dependable? Do you make your “yes” a “yes” and your “no” a “no”? Do you tell the truth even when it’s hard?

Let’s make sure our children know the God of Proverbs 3:4-5 and let’s parent them through this grid, too.