Trust Isn’t natural but It’s necessary

Proverbs 3:5–6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

Let’s be real this verse is one we love to quote, but hate to walk out. Trusting God with all your heart sounds good on paper. But when life starts handing you curveballs, new routines, and systems that make zero sense… yeah, it gets real, real fast.

That’s where I’m at.

I’m in a new season—new job, new environment, and a whole lot of things that are way outside my comfort zone. I’m learning how to read planograms (still not sure if I’m reading them or they’re reading me). I’m now a full-time slave to the clock-in system—which means I can’t just ease into my day with coffee and reflection like I used to. I’ve got to show up, punch in, and go.

And don’t even get me started on the software—there’s a system for everything: scheduling, training, inventory, communication, bathroom breaks (okay, maybe not that last one, but it feels like it). Each one needs a password, and each password needs a symbol, a number, an uppercase letter, and probably a blood sample. I’m also learning a brand-new language: retail-ese—a fast-paced dialect of acronyms, buzzwords, and insider codes that makes the book of Leviticus feel like light reading.

All of this has me in a position where I can’t fake it. I need help. I need favor. I need grace. And most of all, I need to trust that God knows exactly where He placed me—and He’s not setting me up to fail.

I’ve been praying differently these days—not just asking for strength or wisdom, but for trust. Not just for open doors, but for a heart that can walk through them without fear.

Here’s what I’m learning to practice as I try to lean into this kind of trust:

• It’s OK to say, “God, I’m overwhelmed and underprepared.” That’s the soil where real trust grows.

• Pray for alignment, not just direction.
  Instead of just praying, “Where do You want me?” I’ve been asking, “Who do You want me to be in this?” That shifts the whole conversation.

• Remember what He's already done.
  I’ve had other seasons where I didn’t know the path—but He made it clear. Looking back reminds me that I’m not alone in the unknown.

• Obey before it makes sense.
  God doesn’t always hand out a five-year plan. Sometimes, He just says “go,” and we have to walk it out one obedient step at a time.

This kind of trust doesn’t come easy for me. I like clarity, competence, and control. But God keeps calling me to deeper surrender. To trust Him not just with my church life, but my work life. Not just the spiritual stuff, but the schedules, systems, and everyday grind.

So, if you’re in a season where you feel stretched, confused, or flat-out in over your head—welcome to the club. You’re not broken. You’re being built. And if we’ll lean into Him instead of our own understanding, He really will direct our steps—even in the middle of passwords, planograms, and punch clocks.