Proverbs 3: 5&6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He shall direct you paths.
If you're anything like me, you might think, "Well, sure! I agree with that proverb...however, how do I know if it's my understanding instead of God's...and if I can't tell the difference, does that mean I don't trust Him?"
I wrestled with this for a while, and still do in certain circumstances. It's hard to take in data and information in this world and not process it according to our human understanding, filtering things through our own cultivated intellect and world view. For me, the biggest issues that I come across - that I simply cannot wrap my brain around - can do either of two things: 1) paralyze/confound/stress me out, or 2) draw me closer to God. Okay, I'll admit, sometimes both happens! But when too much of #1 is occurring, the more of #2 that you can press into, the more peace and reassurance you will gain that will subdue #1.
But getting closer to God and leaning not on our own understanding still begs the question: how? Prayer is certainly part of the solution, and sometimes for major quandaries, fasting, which includes quiet time with the Lord, can help. But the main answer, with which prayer and fasting are in tandem, is being in the Word.
Indeed, if we do not know what the Word of the Lord is, we certainly will have no understanding except our own on which to lean! The more time we spend in the Word, the more we can trust him, because the more wisdom of and with and in Him we gain.
Psalm 119: 105 says that His Word is a "lamp unto our feet and a light onto our path." When we are in the Word, we are guided by His light - His understanding, down His path, which, as the proverb above states, He will direct.
Remember that Christ IS the Word (1 John 1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.), so following Christ and being in the Word is one in the same. Also remember that the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (1 John 14), which is incredibly significant - and comforting - because that means that God Himself knows what its like first-hand to have a human perspective, to have worldly understanding. So when Jesus says:
Luke 9:23 23 Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
He fully understands what he's asking of us, and what is required: letting go of ourselves - our own understandings.
Whether you're confident or unsure, check in with the Word. Pick up your cross daily - which is acknowledging Him - and follow him down His path. Trust Him with all your Heart, for He will not lead you astray.
Learn more about the 40 Day Prayer Commitment