The Art of Trusting the Unknown

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.

-Proverbs 3:5-6

Let’s be honest: trusting the unknown is hard. We like plans, clarity, and a clear sense of direction. We want to see where the road leads before we take the first step. But life, in all its mystery, rarely gives us that luxury.

I’ve had moments where the future felt like a blank page—a vast, intimidating unknown. In those moments, I would try to fill in the blanks myself, frantically sketching out plans to feel in control. But more often than not, my plans fell apart, leaving me frustrated and questioning everything.

It’s taken me years to learn that trusting the unknown isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about trusting the One who does.

The Illusion of Control
We like to think we’re in control, don’t we? We map out our lives, cling to routines, and convince ourselves that if we work hard enough, we can steer our destiny. But control is an illusion. No matter how much we plan, life has a way of surprising us.

And here’s the truth: that’s a good thing. Because when we let go of the need to control, we make room for something greater—God’s guidance, which is always better than anything we could plan on our own.

Learning to Trust
Trusting the unknown doesn’t mean you won’t feel fear or doubt. It means choosing faith anyway. It’s standing at the edge of the cliff and believing that God will either catch you or teach you to fly.

For me, trusting the unknown has been a practice of surrender. When I was diagnosed with cancer, there were no guarantees. I couldn’t see the path ahead, and the weight of uncertainty lingered. But in the midst of that, I felt God whisper: Trust me. I’m already there.

Those words didn’t erase the fear, but they gave me strength to take the next step, and then the next. And every time I chose trust over fear, I found that God had already paved the way, even when I couldn’t see it.

Ask Yourself:

• What areas of my life am I trying to control out of fear?
• How can I release them to God and trust His plan?

Practical Steps for Trusting the Unknown

1. Take One Step: You don’t need to see the whole path. Ask, What’s one step I can take in faith today?
2. Pray for Guidance: Start each day by asking God to lead you, even in the small things.
3. Celebrate God’s Faithfulness: Reflect on times in your life when things worked out better than you imagined. Let those moments remind you of His faithfulness.

An Invitation
Trusting the unknown isn’t about blind faith—it’s about choosing to believe that the God who created you knows what He’s doing. It’s about trading anxiety for peace, control for surrender, and fear for hope.

Today, take a deep breath and let go of the need to know every answer. Trust that God is already in your tomorrow, working all things for your good. The road may not be clear, but the One guiding you is.

And if you stumble along the way (as we all do), remember this: even in the unknown, you’re never alone.