Learn to Trust God and Live Less Burdened

God doesn’t reveal the whole of His plans for us in part so we can learn to trust Him.

God doesn't reveal the whole of His plans for us in part so we can learn to trust Him. Share on X

As my husband and I mull over how our retirement should look, the biggest piece of the puzzle involves our daughter, Rachel. Unable to live alone, any future plans we make will automatically include provisions for her. We have been praying for clear direction. And God has answered … with the next step, not the full plan.

Misty Moring

One Step at a Time

I’m certain I’m not the only one who wishes God would explain it all. I want to know not just the next step, but the whole shebang: how He’s going to rescue me from this trouble; what he’ll do to see me through that valley. Yet that’s seldom the case. From the time the Lord created man, He has been far more likely to reveal His provisions for His children a little at a time.

We clearly see this in the account of the Israelite’s exodus from Egypt (Book of Exodus). God prepared Moses for the task of leading his people out of bondage in Egypt by explaining that He will be with Moses and that He will force Pharaoh’s hand through a series of plagues. Pharaoh proved quite stubborn, requiring much “convincing” that letting the Israelites go would be in his best interest too. 

Instead of dumping the entire plan on Moses all at once, the Lord gave specific instructions with each plague. Each time the reluctant leader left Pharaoh’s presence, turned down and turned away, He waited on God to reveal what would happen next. He waited. He trusted. 

The Exodus

Finally, when after the tenth plague Pharaoh still wouldn’t let the Israelites go, God told Moses, “I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. After that, he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will drive you out of here.” Exodus 11:1, CSB

Again, Moses was only privy to the next step. The Lord assured the people they would gain their freedom, and He explained how it would happen. However, He left out a few minor details: (1) Pharaoh would change his mind and chase them; (2) it would appear they were trapped at the Red Sea, but God would part the waters for them and drown the Egyptians; (3) water and food would be scarce in the desert, but God would miraculously provide both.

God could have prepared the Israelites for all the hardships that lay before them (and saved Moses lots of headaches), but He didn’t. Instead He expected Moses and His people to trust Him. That’s what He asks us to do too. A statement far easier to write than to live out.

Learn to Trust

Trusting God requires believing He is trustworthy. To do so, involves the work of the Holy Spirit as well as some intentionality on our part. 

Trusting God requires believing He is trustworthy. To do so, involves the work of the Holy Spirit as well as some intentionality on our part. Share on X

First, we need to become familiar with God’s character. The Israelites saw His power and His trustworthiness throughout the series of plagues. The Lord did miracle after miracle. He never gave up on His people.

Still, their situation in Egypt seemed impossible, especially as Pharaoh repeatedly said no and, worse, made their labor more difficult. But they knew the stories of old, the accounts of God’s faithfulness to their forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. Knowing the Lord is the same “yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8b) and then seeing His power in action during the plagues provided hope. 

Knowing the Lord is the 'same yesterday, today, and forever' (Hebrews 13:8b) provides hope for His faithfulness today. Share on X

Get to know your Lord. Be in the Word. Listen to hymns. Study His promises. 

Second, we need to remember God’s past provisions. Throughout their long journey through the wilderness, Moses took many opportunities to remind the Israelites how God had protected them along the way, from forcing Pharaoh’s hand in letting them go to parting the Red Sea to miraculously providing water and food along the way (see Exodus and Deuteronomy). It’s easy to forget; we need to be regularly reminded.

It's easy to forget God's past faithfulness; we need to be regularly reminded. Share on X

Third, our current struggles can blind us to the truth of God’s presence and provision. Therefore, it’s important for us to surround ourselves with encouragers. Those people who will point us back to truth, who will remind us that we aren’t fighting our battles alone.

In difficult times, we need others to help us see our Rescuer, our Warrior, who has promised to bring us through whatever we face. 

In difficult times, we need others to help us see our Rescuer, our Warrior, who has promised to bring us through whatever we face. Share on X

A Burden Lifted

Many times I wish the Lord would let me in on a little more of His plan for our daughter’s life, for her future. But then where would my faith come in? How much faith does it take to believe in something already seen or understood? How will I learn to trust Him if He reveals it all?  

As frustrating as it can be at times, learning to rely on the Lord’s character and promises instead of our own understanding, lifts a heavy burden from our shoulders. We don’t need to know it all (as if we ever could); we don’t need to figure it all out (let it go). Instead, let the Lord do the heavy lifted. Our job is to learn to trust Him. And that really is the best way to live. 

As frustrating as it can be at times, learning to rely on the Lord's character and promises instead of our own understanding, lifts a heavy burden from our shoulders. Share on X

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways know him,
and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6, CSB

Your Turn

Reflections: How are you learning to trust God on your wilderness journey? Which of my three recommendations are most difficult for you to employ? What other strategies have you found helpful as you learn to trust your Lord?