Own Understanding: Proverbs 3:5, part 2

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Let’s pick up from last week: Let’s say there is a child who wants to learn how to swim in the pool but is afraid. Dad is in the water, waiting for him or her to trust him, that he will keep the child safe and not let go until his child feels confident to swim on his or her own. That father is making his child into a truster, not just a swimmer, so he is not forcing or tricking the child into the pool. He is waiting for the child to join him.

And let’s say, there on the deck of the pool, that child is warring in his or her mind. On one side, there is a voice explaining all the reasons why dad can’t be trusted, the water can’t be trusted, the other kids in the pool can’t be trusted, and most of all, all the terrible things that can happen in that pool. That is the voice of fear, of doubt, of uncertainty, of anxiety, of anger, of woundedness.

And on the other hand, that child hears the voice of his or her father: “It will be ok. I’m here. I’ll hold you. I won’t let go. You can do it.”

Now the child has to decide between dad’s understanding, and his or her own understanding. “But, but, but” has to lose to dad’s voice, or the child will struggle both to trust as well as to swim.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths” (ESV).

Is there any way that you are negotiating trusting God on a certain aspect of life? What is it that God says in his Word that countermands your own sight, your own point of view? What fears, doubts, anger, or wounds are you heeding? Go ahead and, from the deck of the pool, tell God in prayer, out loud even, all your own understanding. Recite what his understanding is according to his Word, and compare it to your own.

God is awaiting your trust. He understood how to save your soul, that it would take the death of his perfect Son, his burial, then his resurrection, in order to bring you forgiveness by faith alone. If he understood that, do you think he understands other things too, things in your everyday life, tragedies, depression, dilemmas, and brokenness? He’s waiting!