Bonus Year of the Bible Devotional: It Begins With Trust

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take” (Prov. 3:5–6, NLT).

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart...”
Do I know how to trust? I’ve asked myself this question more times in the last several years than ever before. Having gone through a devastating divorce and slowly seeing how God has picked up the pieces of my heart, for the first time in my life I am learning the true meaning of trust.

“Do not depend on your own understanding...”
What? I am a surgeon. I’ve gone to school and training for more than 14 years. I was trained to follow evidence-based medicine using a logic-based approach. How can I not lean on my own understanding? Ah, God whispers to me, do you remember the trust you’re building in Me? This is where it gets tested and grows.

“Seek His will in all you do...”
Hmm. What am I listening to on my playlist? What am I watching on Netflix? Where are my priorities? Where is my heart? Do I make time to connect with Him daily, hourly, moment by moment? I need to surrender all of me to You.

“And He will show you which path to take...”
As one of my favorite songs goes, “All I know is I’m not home yet. This is not where I belong. Take this world and give me Jesus. This is not where I belong.” Yes Father, direct my path home to You.

Father, I choose to trust in You with all my heart. Amen.

Astrid von Walter is a member of the Community Praise Church in Alexandria, Va.

Join the Journey 

• Every Month—Our calendar, themed “Words of Life,” coincides with the devotional book and videos. It features a biblical topic and verse each month, with additional passages for further exploration, study and ideas on how to apply the concepts in your daily life.