Trust and Rely
- Cathrine Schmelzer
- Jun 29
- 4 min read
“He’s as necessary as the oxygen I breathe. I cannot do this life, let alone this motherhood, at any stage without Him.”
“Trust in the Lord completely, and do not rely on your own opinions. With all your heart rely on him to guide you, and he will lead you in every decision you make. Become intimate with him in whatever you do, and he will lead you wherever you go.” Proverbs 3:5-6 TPT
When Jesus told His disciples in John 16 that it was better for Him to leave so that the Holy Spirit could come, our knee-jerk response is often ‘What! I’d totally take Jesus here with me.’ But if Jesus said it, like every other verse in scripture, it must be true and so understanding becomes something we have to ask for. I’m willing to bet that if we’ve walked with Jesus for any amount of time, we’ve sensed the Holy Spirit, His presence, His perfect timing, His hushed tones and His blatant rebuke.
At 43 and a momma of 18 years, I can tell you that as much I was would LOVE to hug Jesus and have Him sitting on my bed for late night heart-dumps, the Holy Spirit has become irreplaceable to me. He’s as necessary as the oxygen I breathe. I cannot do this life, let alone this motherhood, at any stage without Him. And His strength comes all the more in my surrender, because momma, without Him, I am unqualified; truly up a creek without a proverbial paddle…and any other idiom you can think of.
As I studied the verse for this week, a few words in the original Hebrew helped me understand our deep need for obedience to the Holy Spirit a little clearer. The Hebrew word for trust reminded me that we are called to pursue a deep sense of security and reliance on God; the ability to be completely vulnerable with God because His ways are inscrutable, to get to a place where we can follow Him without doubt. It means to rely on, to feel secure in and be confident of. We are called not to rely on our own understanding but totally on His.
And that lead me to the Hebrew meaning of rely: “to support yourself with.” I can tell you what I can’t support myself with: my emotions, which can be far too fluctuating to set anything on, my circumstances that can change as quickly as the wind blows, my own provision, because this body is beautifully human and prone to break and get sick. The list goes on, but the list of those on whom my life can completely rely is much shorter: Jesus.
Let’s dig for the gold in this verse together this week as we seek the Holy Spirit’s help and apply what Jesus is saying to us.
Monday: TRUST. After reading today’s devotional, make the decision to place your trust in God for the day ahead. Trust is a verb. It requires action. Today, be vulnerable with God. Let Him know your concerns out loud and ask for wisdom, patience, guidance. Finally, affirm your trust in Him, for your own soul momma, by repeating the verse of today or a shorter sentiment like “I trust God with all that I am and all of my moments today.” (Look ahead: schedule for Wednesday, 30 mins or more, if possible, of uninterrupted time with Jesus…you’ll thank me later this week.)
Tuesday: ACKNOWLEDGE. Acknowledge in the Hebrew means “to perceive.” To perceive something, we have to stop, focus and pay attention. Today, make the decision to not lean on your own understanding but acknowledge/remember that God is with you in your moments…practice the pause: three slow seconds of pause before you react. When something challenging arises, pause, breathe, say “Jesus help me” quietly or audibly, instead of solely relying on your instincts or emotions.
Wednesday: SEEK. Today, seek God's perspective; that time on Monday you intentionally scheduled for today, this is the time to pray and reflect. Ask for His wisdom that goes beyond your own, especially when making decisions about raising your littles or guiding your adults. And afterward, invite your kids to seek or “look for Jesus” in your day together. Model your trust for your children, no matter their age. Invite them in while praying for your day together. Demonstrate your faith and show your kids what the Word says about trusting God in word and action. Teach them the simple truths of this verse in an age-appropriate way. The Spirits going to help you, momma.
Thursday: SUBMIT. Today submit your ways to God. Invite Him repeatedly to steer your daily routine and mold your moments to God's will instead of your own. The word reminds us that God's presence inhabits the praises of His people, so practice gratitude. Recognize daily your role as a momma, no matter where you’re at in the journey, is part of a bigger plan. Thank God for your kids, what He’s teaching you, and the privilege of being a part of furthering His kingdom even on the days you can’t see it.
Friday: REFLECT. Reflect each evening this weekend, review your day. Take a few moments to think about where you trusted God and where you struggled. Journal and pray. Ask for a renewed trust and submission for the next day.
Written by Brooke, mom of 3
