Trusting God When You Can't Control Everything
How to Trust God When Life Feels Out of Control: A Biblical Approach
Quick Answer
Biblical trust means recognizing that God is in control so you can stop trying to be. Psalm 94:17-19 (MSG) reminds us: "If God hadn't been there for me, I never would have made it... When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up." HE'S GOT THIS, whatever "this" is for you right now.
Who Wears the Crown?
It's easy to sing "He reigns" during worship, but it's another thing entirely to take the ill-fitting crown off your own head, kneel down, and submit to His authority daily in all areas of your life.
When you participate in a daily spiritual coronation of the King, you can rest. When you trust that He sits on the throne over all creation, over all situations, over everything in your life, you can stop fighting to control things outside your control.
Psalm 16:8-9 declares: "I keep my eyes always on the LORD. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure."
He Knows Best
Remember being four years old and fighting against rest time? As adults, we often do the same with our Heavenly Father. When He says it's time to rest, do you argue? Ignore Him? Keep doing what you're doing?
Psalm 23:1-2 reveals truth: "The LORD is my Shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures."
The Shepherd makes the sheep lie down. Sheep need to feel completely safe before they can rest in an open field. They need to trust their shepherd completely. Your Good Shepherd offers the same—you can trust that He will watch over you, protect you, and lead you to safe rest right next to Him.
He Listens and Tends to You
Even when you argue with God or feel exhausted from doing what He asks, He listens and cares for you tenderly. Consider Elijah's story in 1 Kings 19:4-6:
"'I have had enough, LORD,' he said. 'Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.' Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, 'Get up and eat.' He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again."
When you're done, exhausted, emotionally defeated, lonely, and discouraged, run to Him—not from Him. Trust Him with your struggles. Trust that He will listen and tenderly care for you.
He Created You with Purpose
Psalm 57:2 (NLT) declares: "I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me."
The Lord created you with intention—with purpose and for a purpose. When you trust His purpose for your life and rest in His timing, you can:
Give yourself permission to rest in Him
Allow your spiritual gifts to be active in everyday moments
Listen for Him in quiet spaces
Walk with confidence knowing your purpose will be fulfilled
He Is Always at Work
Winter shows us that nature needs time to rest and retreat to its roots. We trust that spring will come even when we can't see what God is doing beneath the surface.
Song of Songs 2:11-12 promises: "See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone. Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come."
Living from a place of rest means:
Looking backward and remembering all God has done
Trusting Him with your future
Resting in confidence that He's always working, even when you can't see it
Practical Trust-Building Exercises
1. Daily Crown Surrender
Each morning, pray: "Lord, You wear the crown today. I trust Your authority over my life, my family, my work, my dreams."
2. Trust-Based Breathing
When anxiety hits:
Breathe in: "I trust You"
Breathe out: "You are in control"
3. Remember and Record
Write down past experiences of God's faithfulness. When winter seasons come, you'll have evidence of His trustworthiness.
4. Purpose Proclamation
Say aloud: "Lord, You created me with intention and purpose. I trust Your direction and timing for my life."
Common Questions About Trusting God
Q: What if God's plan doesn't match my dreams?
A: Trust that He sees the bigger picture. His plans are for your good (Jeremiah 29:11), even when they look different than expected. Mary trusted God's plan over her own and became part of the greatest story ever told.
Q: How do I trust God when He feels silent?
A: Remember that God is always at work, even when you can't see or hear Him. Like winter preparing for spring, He may be working beneath the surface to prepare something beautiful.
Q: What if I've trusted God before and been disappointed?
A: Disappointment often comes from expecting God to work according to our timeline or methods. Trust His character (faithful, good, loving) rather than demanding specific outcomes.
Deepen Your Trust in God's Perfect Timing
"Simplifying Rest" guides you through 28 days of learning to trust God more deeply. Discover how to surrender control, recognize His faithfulness, and find rest in His sovereignty over every area of your life.
Transform worry into worship through biblical trust