Life can unravel in ways we never imagined. A diagnosis. A broken relationship. A phone call that changes everything. And in those moments, our hearts ask the question: How am I supposed to trust God when everything feels out of control?
If you’ve ever found yourself there, you’re not alone. I’ve walked that road too — and I want to encourage you with biblical truth, practical steps, and a reminder of God’s faithfulness when the bottom drops out.
- When My Faith Was Stretched Beyond Comfort
- Why Trusting God Feels So Hard
- What the Bible Says About Fear
- What It Means to Choose Faith Over Fear
- How to Trust God When Everything Feels Out of Control
- Daily Devotions to Help You Trust God Over Fear
- When Trusting God Feels Impossible, Remember This…
- FAQ: Common Questions About How to Trust God
When My Faith Was Stretched Beyond Comfort
I’ll never forget when I heard the song Oceans played during church. The familiar words rose through the speakers:
“Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders…”
It was beautiful. I sang with all my heart, not realizing how literally God would answer that prayer in my own life.
In my early 20s, I walked down the painful road of divorce. I thought I’d already faced my biggest test of faith with a cheating husband. But years later, another unexpected season came, and once again I felt like I was being asked to walk on water.
I remember thinking to myself, “I almost wish I’d never sung those words so sincerely.” It was fear talking, of course — the ache of a heart unsure if God could really be trusted with my future.
And yet, even in that moment of doubt, I knew I had a choice: to let fear control me, or to cling to the only One who could hold me steady.
Why Trusting God Feels So Hard
Let’s be honest: trusting God isn’t easy. Fear comes naturally. We like to see the plan, control the outcome, and predict what’s next. When uncertainty strips all that away, we’re left feeling fragile, anxious, and vulnerable.
But here’s the truth — God never asked us to carry the weight of control. He asks us to surrender it.
2 Corinthians 12:10 reminds us: “For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Trusting God isn’t about pretending we’re unshaken. It’s about admitting our weakness and leaning on His strength.
What the Bible Says About Fear
Throughout Scripture, God’s people wrestled with fear — and He met them with reassurance.
When Joshua stepped into Moses’ role of leading Israel, fear must have pressed hard on his heart. Why else would God repeat the same command four times in Joshua 1?
“Be strong and courageous… for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)
God doesn’t minimize fear; He speaks directly into it. His comfort is not “Don’t be afraid because it’s not scary.” It’s “Don’t be afraid because I am with you.”
And that same promise holds true for you and me today.
What It Means to Choose Faith Over Fear
So what does it really mean to trust God when everything feels uncertain? Choosing faith over fear doesn’t mean the fear disappears. It means you refuse to let it have the final say.
Faith is choosing to believe God’s promises when your feelings scream the opposite.
Faith is remembering that He is sovereign even when life feels chaotic.
Faith is choosing to say, “Lord, I don’t understand this, but I trust You anyway.”
As Isaiah 43:2 assures us: “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you.”
How to Trust God When Everything Feels Out of Control
If you’re in a season where life feels overwhelming, here are some practical ways to lean into God’s truth and strengthen your trust in Him.
1. Be Honest With God About Your Fears
You don’t have to sugarcoat your prayers. Tell Him exactly what you’re afraid of. David often poured out his fears in the Psalms, and God called him a man after His own heart.
2. Anchor Yourself in Scripture
Write out verses that speak of God’s protection and provision. Place them where you’ll see them often — your mirror, your journal, your phone lock screen. Let truth speak louder than your thoughts.
3. Remember His Past Faithfulness
Think back on times when God carried you through difficulty. Remind yourself of His track record in your life — and in the lives of countless believers before you.
4. Lean on Community
Share your struggles with a trusted Christian friend or mentor who can pray for you and speak God’s truth when your own faith feels shaky.
5. Surrender Daily
Trusting God isn’t a one-time decision. It’s a daily surrender. Each morning, lay your fears before Him and choose again to walk by faith.
Bible Verses to Strengthen Your Trust in God
Let these Bible verses comfort you when fear overtakes your heart and remind you to have faith and trust in Him.
Deuteronomy 31:8
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Psalm 112:7
They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.
Isaiah 41:13
For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you.
For a deeper dive, explore this collection of Bible verses about trusting God to encourage your faith.
A Prayer for Trusting God
If you’re not sure where to begin, let this prayer guide you:
Lord, You see the fear in my heart and the way life feels so uncertain right now. I want to trust You, but I feel shaky. Please calm my spirit and remind me of Your promises. Grow my faith bigger than my fear, and help me surrender what I cannot control into Your hands. Thank You that You will never leave me or forsake me. I choose to trust You today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
If prayer feels hard or you struggle knowing what to pray easily learn how to pray here.
Daily Devotions to Help You Trust God Over Fear
If fear is what’s making it hard for you to trust God, you’re not alone. Fear has a way of whispering worst-case scenarios and drowning out God’s promises. That’s why spending time in Scripture and reflecting on truth daily is so powerful. These devotions are designed to help quiet fear and strengthen your trust in God, one day at a time.
100 Days of Faith Over Fear by Lisa Stillwell
Less Fret, More Faith by Max Lucado
Breaking Free From Fear by Kay Arthur
An additional resource that I highly recommend is Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado. I had a lot of ah-ha moments as I was reading this excellent book.
When Trusting God Feels Impossible, Remember This…
Friend, learning how to trust God when everything feels out of control isn’t a one-and-done moment. It’s a journey. Some days you’ll feel steady. Other days, the waves will crash hard. But through it all, He remains faithful.
As the song Oceans says, “Keep my eyes above the waves; my soul will rest in Your embrace.”
He is with you in the storm — and you are His.
What about you? When life feels out of control, what helps you remember to trust God?
FAQ: Common Questions About How to Trust God
Still have questions about learning how to trust God when life feels out of control? Here are some of the most common ones Christians wrestle with — and biblical answers to help you find peace.
How Do I Trust God When I’m Scared of the Future?
When the future feels uncertain, remind yourself that God already knows the plans He has for you — “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). Spend time in prayer and Scripture daily, and speak His promises over your fears. Trust deepens when you shift your focus from “what if” to Who is walking beside you.
What Does Trusting God Really Mean?
Trusting God means believing He is faithful and in control, even when life doesn’t make sense. Scripture reminds us, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5–6). It’s a daily decision to rely on His wisdom instead of our own.
Can I Still Trust God If I Feel Doubt?
Yes. Doubt doesn’t disqualify you from faith; it’s often where deeper trust grows. Like the man who cried, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24), we can bring our doubts honestly to God — and watch Him strengthen our faith through them.
If this encouraged you to know how to trust God, you might also like:
- If you find yourself constantly anxious learn how to calm down anxiety and find freedom from fear.
- Still need more encouragement as you choose faith over fear, find out what it means Biblically.
- Want to pray but the words won’t come? Try this when you don’t know what to pray.
- Get in in the Bible in just 10 minutes a day with these devotions for women.
- Life throws us tons of curveballs, does God really care about me?
Oh I love this song so much! Thank you for the Bible verses, which will now deepen the worship whenever I hear it.
You’re welcome, Susan! Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
I am very careful what words I sing or pray because I have realized that with growth comes pain. This is something I struggle with.
It’s a catch twenty-two isn’t it? I want to grow my faith but I don’t want to go through the pain.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
Thank you for sharing this. It’s just what I needed. I’ve had anxiety this past week and lots of fears of what the future holds. Thank you for the reminder God has everything under control and I can rest in Him.
I’m sorry to hear about your anxiety, Kathy. So thankful the Lord spoke deep into your heart with these words!