What does the scripture Proverbs 3:5-6 mean?
We’ve all heard the inspirational scripture from Proverbs 3:5-6. It tells us to trust in the Lord with all our heart. But how can we do that when life doesn’t make sense? In this devotion, we’ll read this verse and learn 4 Steps to Trusting God Even When It Doesn’t Make Sense.
But first, let’s read the Bible stories of two people who decided to trust God’s plan when it didn’t make sense. They are more than the earthly parents of our Lord Jesus Christ, they’re a great example of trusting God even when it doesn’t make sense.
Mary the Mother of Jesus
Imagine being fifteen and pregnant, not knowing what would happen to you.
Could you turn to your parents for support or would you face your future motherhood alone? Would the kids at school still be your friends, or would they give you judgmental stares?
Mary, the mother of Jesus, faced a similar circumstance.
As a betrothed young woman, showing up pregnant was a big no-no. She was under contract to marry Joseph, and a breach of that contract meant she would lose everything.
Instead of judgmental stares from her classmates, she would have been shamed in the public eye.
At best, her husband would leave her, and she would be an outcast for the rest of her life. At worst, she would be stoned.
When Mary turned up pregnant, she faced a very unsure future.
And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!”
But when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was. Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.”
Then Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I do not know a man?”
And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God.”
“For with God nothing is impossible.” Then Mary said, “Behold the maidservant of the Lord! Let it be to me according to your word.”
Trusting God When It Doesn’t Make Sense
Even though it didn’t make any sense how she, a virgin, could conceive and give birth to a child, Mary believed what God’s messenger, Gabriel, told her with an open heart.
In the midst of her dilemma, her faith was unshakeable. She knew she could count on God to see her through because He is always reliable.
She chose to trust God’s plan for her life.
Joseph
At the same time, Mary was facing the news of her pregnancy, her betrothed Joseph also had a choice to make.
He could continue with his marriage to Mary, knowing she was carrying a child that was not his, or he could cancel the marriage contract and leave her in disgrace, alone to face the crowd.
Being a godly man, Joseph chose to end the marriage quietly so Mary’s life wouldn’t be ruined. But God intervened on Mary’s behalf and sent an angel to speak to Joseph.
But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
It must have been confusing and frightening for Joseph to hear these words.
Because let’s be honest, it’s pretty crazy to think a woman could suddenly be pregnant and still be a virgin, right?
But Joseph believed what the angel said and took Mary as his wife. In doing so, He chose to trust God and to continue on the path God put him on.
Mary and Joseph both trusted God even when it didn’t make sense. They believed God is faithful and His plan would be fulfilled in their lives.
They didn’t understand it all, but they followed God anyway.
Because of their faith, God chose them to play a big part in the promised Messiah coming into this world. And we are all blessed by their decision to trust God.
Read More: All Things Work Together For Good Romans 8:28
Trusting God’s Plan
How does the story of Mary and Joseph affect our lives?
Because of our faith in His Son, God has chosen us too!
Just like Mary and Joseph, we each have a part to play in God’s amazing plan!
When we think of Mary and Joseph, we tend to put them on a pedestal.
We picture two amazing people, chosen by God to bring about His plan.
The perfect couple, unafraid, and trusting God in all things.
We see them like they appear in the nativity on our table, angelic and holding the baby Jesus in their arms. Halos surround their heads as they gaze into the eyes of the child who would one day die on a cross for our sins. It’s a beautiful picture of grace under fire.
And this is the way we want to see ourselves too. But we know deep down we’re not perfect, we don’t have halos around our heads, and we aren’t always the picture of grace we want to be. So how could God ever use us in His plan?
What does it mean to trust in the Lord with all your heart?
Let’s read this Bible verse from Proverbs 3. It gives us 4 steps to trusting God even when it doesn’t make sense…
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
#1 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
God wants our whole heart! Not a tiny little piece of it. So, the first step is simply to trust Him with all your heart.
Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:3-4 NIV
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.
Psalm 28:7 NIV
#2 Lean not on your own understanding
Our understanding isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Because we see the world as it is right now.
But God sees things differently. He knows our past, our present, and our future. And He puts all of those together to work for our good. Once we realize we don’t know it all and our understanding fails us, that’s when God steps in.
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Psalm 20:7 ESV
Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.
Isaiah 26:4 ESV
#3 In all your ways acknowledge Him
Blessings come from God. Period.
And God is asking us to understand and acknowledge where everything we have, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual comes from.
And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.
Psalm 9:10 ESV
Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
Psalm 136:1 ESV
#4 He shall direct your path
This is the result of trusting God even when it doesn’t make sense.
God is with us and when we put our trust in Him, He will get us where we need to be according to His perfect plan.
Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him, and he will act.
Psalm 37:5 ESV
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:6 NIV
Read More: How to Rejoice in the Lord Always Habakkuk 3:17-19
One day it will all make sense
Maybe you don’t have it all together, I know I don’t. Maybe you don’t understand everything God has in store for you. Or maybe there’s something He’s asked you to do that seems impossible.
You want to follow God, but His plan just doesn’t make sense.
It’s okay if you don’t understand the big picture plan God has for you right now. Step out in faith the way Mary and Joseph did. Chose to trust God to lead you on the path.
Take the first step. He will give the next step, then the next one, and then the next. Eventually, you’ll get to the place He wants you to be. And one day it will all make sense.
My prayer for you is, that you will take that first step and allow God to direct your path. All it takes is trusting God even when it doesn’t make sense.
Are you struggling with the storms of Life? This Bible Study will teach you How to Weather Life’s Storms
More Motivational Bible Verses about Trusting God
The Christian life is full of ups and downs, twists and turns. And no matter how hard we try to see God’s plan for us, sometimes life doesn’t make sense.
But God’s promises are true. He is a faithful God, always ready to show us He is worthy of our trust and in control of what the future holds. Our Heavenly Father has good plans for those of us who put our trust in Him instead of our own strength.
And God’s character is on display in these motivational Bible verses about trusting God. So, if you still need a little more inspiration during the hard times, they will fill your heart with His grace and peace.
So, let’s turn to God’s Word and find encourement for the difficult situations we face every day.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Romans 15:13 ESV
You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.
Isaiah 26:3 NKJV
And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
John 17:3 ESV
Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made to the house of Israel had failed; all came to pass.
Joshua 21:45 ESV
The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.
Proverbs 29:25 ESV
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in humans.
Psalm 118:8 NIV
They do not fear bad news;
they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
Psalm 112:7 NLT
<strong>Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the Lord will lack no good thing.
Psalm 34:10 NLT
He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:8 ESV
Friends, why are you doing this? We are merely human beings—just like you! We have come to bring you the Good News that you should turn from these worthless things and turn to the living God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.
Acts 14:15 NLT
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.
Matthew 20:28 NLT
Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.
Joshua 21:45 NLT
As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.
Psalm 18:30 NKJV
I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
John 10:11 NASB
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:7 NASB
Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
Psalm 62:8 ESV
But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.
Luke 22:69 ESV
Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?
Matthew 6:26 NIV
He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him.
Psalm 40:3 NIV
But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the faithfulness of God forever and ever.
Psalm 52:8 NASB
The voice of the Lord is powerful; The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
Psalm 29:4 NKJV
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
Ephesians 2:4-6 NKJV
As you can see, the Word of God has a lot to say to us about trusting God and relying on Him in difficult times. God’s faithfulness keeps us close to Him and lifts us up with His righteous right hand when life doesn’t make sense. So, hold tight to the promises of God found in these scriptures and He will get you through the tough times you’re facing!
Bible Verse Art Printables from Master’s Hand Collection
More Bible Studies from Master’s Hand Collection!
“All it takes is trusting God even when it doesn’t make sense.”
That’s the crux of my problem, I simply can’t do it. After a lifetime of illness, unbearable emotional pain and unfulfilled promises I am all out of trust. To me trusting Him is like trusting a father who expresses his love by hitting you with one hand and occasionally comforts you with the other.
Despite that I can’t walk away from Him either because I have noone else to turn to. But my relationship with Him gives me nothing, it hasn’t for years.
Hi Thomas,
Thank you for sharing your story with me. I’m so sorry to learn you’re going through so much pain.
God always has a reason for what He allows in our lives. Sometimes we get to know the reason why, and sometimes we don’t. I know that’s hard to understand. And there have been many times in my life that I don’t understand the pain I had to go through. But I want to encourage you and anyone else who may read this who is facing hardship. God sees the complete picture of your life and He alone knows the outcome of your experiences. Putting your trust in Him during these times may be the hardest thing you’ve ever done. But God draws us to Himself in the hard times and He is faithful to walk beside us through it all. There’s a scripture I’d like to share with you…
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched,
Nor will the flame burn you. Isaiah 43:2
This Bible verse has helped me through some of the toughest times. And I hope it will do the same for you. I’m praying for you, that you’ll know God is with you through the fire!
Here’s another resource: 12 Uplifting Bible Verse for Faith in Hard Times
Blessings to you!
I felt distant from the Lord and I turned to alcohol and drugs to get me over the pain. I’m currently going through a phase of applying to varsity but my marks are not good enough. And I am on a bursary from a very poor area. After reading this I realised that the Lord almighty didn’t bring me all this way to just let everything go. I would like prayers for anyone who is reading this. God bless you all.❤
Praying for you Lungelo. Hang in there, because God is with you and He loves you! Blessings to you!
I’ve often consider’s Mary’s plight, it had to be so hard in some ways and such a blessing in others.
Yes, I completely agree, Rebecca. It must have been hard and a blessins all at the same time. Many blessings to you!