Key Verse: Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
This proverb is part of a bigger section of Proverbs meant to give wisdom to young people. Proverbs 1 to 9:18 was written by Solomon as a father giving advice.
Understanding Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord:
We are already putting our trust in something, whether that is yourself, money, or your family. Solomon is saying instead of putting trust in temporary things, put our trust in the one eternal God.
With all your heart:
Our trust must be complete and whole in Jesus. Half of our trust isn’t really trust at all. “It is on GOD, not on thyself, that thou art commanded to depend. He who trusts in his own heart is a fool…. Self-sufficiency and self-dependence have been the ruin of mankind ever since the fall of Adam. The grand sin of the human race is their continual endeavour to live independently of God.” (Clarke) from Study Guide for Proverbs 3 by David Guzik (blueletterbible.org)
Do not depend on your own understanding:
The NIV states, lean not on your own understanding. When we think of the word lean we think of putting our weight onto something or someone else. In this case, we are leaning on God.
Sometimes that may mean trusting that God has given us what we need within ourselves. After all, we are made in His image. Of course, if our reasoning is against God’s teaching then we can lean into knowing that it is not from God.
Seek his will in all you do:
In all you do can almost sound self-righteous and sanctimonious. We don’t have to walk around saying prayers and memory verses out loud, but it does mean that we can trust God to direct all of our ways. And sometimes saying a prayer or memory verse may be just what we need. (I often think of this when my kids are testing me.) When we direct everything toward God, we can find joy in even the smallest most mundane things.
And He will show you which path to take:
While this may sound scary or controlling, it is the full trust in God that is the most freeing. Because we trust God has our best interest and has promised good things for His children, we don’t have to worry whether the path we are taking is the right path. God has our backs.
What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
the things God has prepared for those who love him—1 Corinthians 2:9
How Proverbs 3:5-6 Applies to Motherhood
I often ponder how anybody does parenting without God. Without knowing that someone with much greater power and knowledge than I have, and holds my kids in His hands, there are days I’m not sure how I could face tomorrow. Because of God’s grace and forgiveness, I really don’t know how I could wake up and try again another day.
Leaning on God
Knowing God is often the only thread that is keeping my life together. And I say this as a mom dealing with multiple possible psychological diagnoses for my daughter that have been an uphill battle since she was three.
When I don’t understand what is going on with my kids, I know God does, and if I can just lean into that a little more each day with constant prayer and forgiveness and trust. If I can just have a little more of Him and a little less of me each day, I know my path and my kid’s path will be directed to the good things God has in store for us.
God may have great things in store for me here on Earth and I am aware of all the blessings He gives me day by day. But the greatest things he has in store are beyond this world, beyond our human comprehension. The greatest gift He gave was his own son, which I will never fully comprehend.
And while this world is filled with countless evil and darkness, grief, and frustration, I can rest in the peace of Jesus because I know He holds the future and in the end, God wins. And that is all I need to know. When you are dealing with frustrations, mundane daily tasks, or even unspeakable grief, remember Whose you are.
Closing prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,Thank you for the gifts you have given us every day. Help us to lean more into Your understanding and put our trust fully in You. Help us lean into You during times of deep frustration or when we are at a loss for what to do next. Guide our paths in Your wisdom. Direct all our ways. No matter what may come, increase our trust and faith in knowing that you are the great gift giver and the author and perfecter of our faith. Amen.
Find more Wisdom in Proverbs for Moms devotions here.
Guest Blogger Bio:
I’m Brynn (rhymes with Lynn), founder of Unfading Beauty and Strength, where you’ll find inspiration to live out your ordinary daily life in God-honoring ways. When I am not reading, working as a full-time nurse, or helping my daughter take care of our bearded dragon, you’ll find me finding ways to encourage other women through devotional, practical tips, and more.