Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV)

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

⁶ In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

We all trust in ourselves and our own understanding because it seems like the natural thing to do. From birth we are groomed to rely on ourselves and make logical decisions. We protect ourselves and we calculate the best direction for our lives. We believe that we know what is best for us and strive to achieve our goals by any means necessary. However, this self-reliance many times can lead to significant suffering and broken relationships.

When we ignore God's wisdom and place our trust in our own abilities and judgments, we set ourselves up for failure.

Being human, our understanding is limited and flawed. The end result is usually misery. In our attempts to get our way, we often times resort to manipulation, deceit, or force. For example, our relationships suffer as trust is broken and people are hurt by our actions. The damage is usually long-term and we are left in despair, emptiness, and depression. When we prioritize our desires over the well-being of others, we ruin relationships. The people around us feel betrayed and undervalued. Over time, this leads to isolation and loneliness. The more you lean on your own understanding and belief in yourself, the more isolated you become.

This is why God recorded verses like these in the bible. Human beings were never made to live in solitude. God designed us to commune with one another but sadly Satan divides us. He causes us to lean on our "red flags", "experiences", "perspectives", and ultimately our own selfish desire.

Verse 6 promises that if we acknowledge God in all our ways, He will direct our paths. Trusting in God means surrendering our plans and desires to His will.

It means believing that His ways are higher and better than ours. When we trust God, we allow Him to guide us, leading to decisions that are right and healthier relationships. Often, our self-reliance is rooted in fear, fear of failure, fear of the unknown, fear of losing control. 

However, we need to replace OUR fear with HIS faith. 

Trusting Him means letting go of our need to control. We must believe that He is working for our good. This faith leads to peace and a happier life with those around you. 

God promises to help us through all things. He can give us peace, prosperity, and all the things we need. But we first must throw away what we see, think, and feel. 

When we trust God with all our hearts, he promises to direct our ways. Amen!