TRUSTING GOD IN THE UNKNOWN
“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)
There’s a certain discomfort that comes with not knowing. Uncertainty leaves us feeling vulnerable, anxious, and out of control. Whether it’s a family situation, a health diagnosis, a broken relationship, or just not knowing what comes next—walking through the unknown can feel overwhelming.
But what if the unknown isn’t something to fear… but an invitation to trust?
We all love clarity. We crave plans, direction, and visible signs that we’re on the right track. But often, God doesn’t work that way. Sometimes, He leads us one step at a time, without showing us the full picture.
In Exodus 13:17, when God led the Israelites out of Egypt, He didn’t take them on the shortest route. Why?
“God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter… ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.’”
God led them the long way—through the wilderness—because He knew what they needed. Maybe the long road you’re on right now isn’t punishment. Maybe it’s God’s mercy, His protection, or His preparation.
It’s easy to say we trust God… until things stop making sense. Until the prayer goes unanswered. Until the delay stretches longer than we expected. But Proverbs 3:5-6 gives us clear instruction:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
God doesn’t ask us to understand—He asks us to trust. Trust means letting go of control and surrendering our plans to the One who sees the end from the beginning. It doesn’t mean we won’t have questions or fear. It means we choose to believe He is still good, even when we don’t know what He’s doing.
One of the most powerful examples of trust in the Bible is Abraham. In Genesis 12:1, God told him:
“Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”
He didn’t even name the land—just “go.” And Abraham obeyed, without knowing the destination. Hebrews 11:8 says:
“By faith Abraham… obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”
That’s the kind of trust God invites us into: going even when we don’t see the end. Saying “yes” even when we’re unsure of the outcome.
Sometimes, the unknown doesn’t look like movement—it looks like waiting. Waiting for direction. Waiting for breakthrough. Waiting in silence.
Psalm 27:14 encourages us:
“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
And Isaiah 40:31 reminds us:
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles…”
The key isn’t hoping in an outcome—it’s hoping in the Lord. He is unchanging, faithful, and near. His character is the anchor in our uncertain seasons.
Hebrews 13:8 says:
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
The God who parted seas, fed thousands, and healed the broken? He’s the same God holding you today.
