29 May

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust is something I have wrestled with throughout my life. There have been times when I struggled to trust people, hesitant to be vulnerable or ask for help when needed. Other times, I trusted the wrong individuals—those who proved untrustworthy and took advantage of my faith in them. In essence, my trust-o-meter has been out of balance. Recognising this, I’ve realised that I cannot discern who is trustworthy and who requires caution. Equally, I have learned that no human being is one hundred per cent reliable all of the time, especially me. We are fallible human beings with our struggles and brokenness. Therefore, placing too much trust in myself or others will inevitably lead to disappointment, hurt and dejection.

This proverb offers a solution to my dilemma. Trusting in God is very different to trusting human beings. Relying solely on my understanding is insufficient, but I can trust the Lord; he has never let me down. Allowing God to guide my life will reveal whom to trust and with what. He will teach me how to establish healthy boundaries and direct my steps. As the proverb states, embracing this approach will prevent me from getting lost.

“How do I know this? It’s because I have experienced it firsthand. Let me share an example. At one point, I was applying for two jobs and had interviews scheduled for the same week. The first interview was for a position in business marketing. The interview went well, and I was offered the job. However, as I prayed about it, I sensed God saying, “Wait, there is more to come.” 

It was immensely challenging to decline the job offer. It didn’t make sense to me; as the adage goes, “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” Turning down a secure job offer seemed irrational! Then came the second interview, this time for a role in public relations. The arduous interview left me feeling like I needed to perform better. I began to question my belief that God was instructing me to wait. Dejectedly, I returned home, thinking I had made a colossal mistake. However, the following day, I received a job offer for the public relations position, and it turned out to be the most fulfilling, engaging, and enjoyable job I have ever had. 

On a subsequent day, I encountered the person who had been given the business marketing job. She confided in me about her constant boredom, expressing how she often had nothing meaningful to do and felt she wasn’t making a significant impact. Then, I realised God had guided me away from a job that would have left me discouraged and directed me toward a role that filled me with joy. I then saw that if I had used whether or not something was easy as my guide instead of listening to God, I would have missed out on this incredible opportunity.

I sometimes get it right. Sometimes, what I perceive as God’s leading may not be Him at all. Yet, I have discovered that God is incredibly patient and gracious with me, gently steering me in the right direction when I surrender my will and life to Him. Who knows what incredible adventures await us if we pause and listen for His voice?

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, thank You for being the God of wisdom and kindness. Our lives are secure in Your hands. We surrender ourselves to You. Lead and guide our every step so our paths may be straight, and we can confidently follow You. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.