20 Bible verses to help you remember to trust and lean on God
I’ve been a Christian officially since I was 10. That means, I’ve had more than three decades of living with God in my life.
I have seen and know His faithfulness. Trusting Him should be second nature right now. Often it is, but other times, I need reminders when life starts going haywire that God is on His throne and I can trust Him completely.
That’s where Bible verses about leaning on God help. His Word is the best way to remember Who God is and how much I can trust Him.
These powerful Bible verses remind us to trust God in tough times and in good times. As you lean on God through His Word, let the peace of God fill your heart and mind.
Learning to lean on God
Just like with any relationship, our relationship with God is a day-by-day thing. I don’t mean that as in we need to doubt our salvation, but I do mean that in the way we choose each day (and sometimes each moment) to live in line with God or not.
It’s our choice to make Him a big part of our lives or keep Him tucked away in a small corner of our lives.
A couple of things help me most when my faith and trust in God get shaky: Bible verses and music. I’m encouraged that God clearly knew we’d have moments of weakness and doubt. So He packed His Word full of verses to encourage us on our faith journey.
God knows our weaknesses as humans, and He loves us anyway. He gives us the tools we need along the way. It’s just up to us to utilize them.
Favorite Bible verses about leaning on God
Turning to the Word of the Lord is the first place to start during times of testing of your faith. We serve a trustworthy God who will be with us in times of trouble. We can lean into our Lord Jesus and know He will be our strong tower during hard times.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5 (NIV)
My own understanding of things is paltry at best. I don’t know what the future holds or how things are going to work out.
This verse reminds me that regardless of what I know or understand, I have a God I can trust in with all my heart because He knows it all and will be there with me every single step of the way.
I want to always be in the will of God, even when I don’t understand completely the situation.
“He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.'”
Psalm 46:10a (NIV)
When it comes to Bible verses about leaning on God, this is one of my favorites. I have trouble being still in my head. I can easily get carried away, ruminate and stress out.
But this verse reminds me that I can just be still, rest and trust in God. Sometimes repeating “Be still” in my head can help calm my anxiety as I trust in the One Who is truly in control.
Other times, I ask God for help in being still, because doing so is hard with only my own strength. I need His help to even be still in Him.
“Surely God is my salvation;
Isaiah 12:2 (NIV)
I will trust and not be afraid.
The Lord, the Lord himself,
is my strength and my defense;
he has become my salvation.”
The definition for the word salvation is to save or protect from harm, destruction and loss. This verse reminds us that God is saving and protecting us. We can trust in God’s unfailing love and not be afraid.
The good news is when God is our strength, defense and ultimate protector, we can relax and rest in Him.
“Trust in the Lord forever,
Isaiah 26:4 (NIV)
for the Lord, the Lord himself,
is the Rock eternal.”
Two things stick out to me in this verse. First, the use of the words “forever” and “eternal.” Knowing that God is an everlasting God on Whom I can lean throughout eternity is comforting to me.
My brain has trouble even fathoming how long eternity is, but even just having been able to trust Him for my meager amount of years on earth is significant.
The second thing that jumps out at me is the concept of the Lord being the Rock. He’s not dirt or sand. He’s not water. God is a solid rock and firm foundation. In life, so many things can shift and change in the blink of an eye, but God remains the same in good and difficult times. He is solid and true.
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 (NIV)
God is speaking these words to Joshua, but they apply to us just as much. As we trust in God, we can rest assured He will be with us everywhere we go — even in a day of trouble.
Just remembering this gives me strength and courage. It helps me not be as afraid or discouraged. Bible verses about leaning on God can also remind us we are never alone, which is something we need to hear when life is difficult.
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
When I was a child, I trusted my parents to meet my needs. I was blessed to never worry about what I’d have to eat or whether I’d have clean clothes to wear.
That’s the same sort of trust I strive to have in God. My desire is to be trusting God so completely that when something goes sideways, I don’t have to worry and can relax in knowing that He’s got it covered.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Trusting in God can fill us with joy and peace. It can give us hope beyond what even makes sense. God has given us His Holy Spirit to fill us and dwell in us.
During times that we are struggling to trust in God, we can ask for help and the Holy Spirit can fill us up with strength and peace not our own. I’m so thankful for that!
“‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.'”
John 14:1 (NIV)
Jesus is speaking here. He’s just told His followers of trouble to come and that He will soon be leaving them. They’re distressed and worried. They’re afraid.
I’ve felt that way. I’ve gotten news that left me shaken and unsure. I didn’t know what the future would look like.
But these words from Jesus remind me that I don’t need to have a troubled heart. I just need to believe.
In the proper time, I will see every good thing God has for me. That may be on earth or in heaven or, most likely, both.
“It is better to take refuge in the Lord
Psalm 118:8 (NIV)
than to trust in humans.”
In my humanity, I can often be tempted to trust in other people when things go wrong.
For example, dealing with various health struggles through the years have led me down a path of beginning to trust in doctors or treatments. I had to learn to make sure I was trusting in God instead.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
Things change. People change. Life changes. But, Jesus remains steadfast and true. He is the same and we can trust in Him always because He never changes.
I will never forget one of the lowest points in my life. I questioned God’s plan and purpose. Honestly, I questioned God’s love. Nothing made sense.
My world was completely upside down, and I truly didn’t know how I’d ever endure and make it through to the other side. I spent that Sunday morning at church too overwhelmed to even sing the praise and worship songs.
My mind wandered throughout much of the sermon. But my eyes saw the cross at the front of the church.
And God gently reminded me that I didn’t need all the answers. I just needed to trust that He is ever faithful and true. The only thing I needed to know is that Jesus loved me so much He died for me. I could cling to that when all else failed me.
That is the God we serve — One who is steadfast, true, unchanging and full of love for each of us.
Favorite Bible verses about faith and trust
As we are continually learning to lean on God, we also need to have Scripture references that encourage us in our faith and trust in God. Though I’ve been a Christian for decades, I still have times of wavering faith and trust. I have never turned my back on God.
However, in hard times I have wondered how much I could truly trust Him. I’ve questioned whether my faith was strong enough.
And each time, I learned that I can trust Him completely, because while I may change and struggle, God’s character remains the same.
I can ask God for help with strengthening my faith when it starts getting shaky. If I can turn my eyes to look at Him instead of looking around me, my faith and trust are made stronger.
He replied, “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”
Matthew 17:20 (NIV)
I love this reminder of what just a teeny, tiny amount of faith can do! Have you seen a mustard seed? They are 0.1 inch in diameter! That’s tiny.
Jesus is telling us here that even if our faith is small, it is still powerful. Can our faith be big? Of course! But even when it isn’t, it is still powerful.
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1 (NIV)
I struggle with confidence in myself. And sometimes that can influence the confidence I have in God.
For a little while, I can slip into a negative attitude like, “I know God can fix this, but I don’t think He will.” I don’t usually utter those words aloud, but God hears them in my heart.
This verse, though, convicts my heart. Faith is the assurance of things of we cannot see and being confident in the God we serve.
I can’t be confident in myself and that I’ll always come out on top, but I can be confident God knows what He’s doing and will come out on top. I am assured and can be hopeful that no matter what life brings, God is there with me. What better description of faith is there?!
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13 (NIV)
Faith and trust really do go hand-in-hand with leaning on God. If we have faith in God and Who He is, then we can trust He will always be with us.
Not only does this verse remind us we can have faith and trust in God, but it also tells us God is a God of hope. Trusting in Him will bring us joy and peace.
And, finally, it reminds us that the Holy Spirit can fill our hearts to overflowing with hope and the joy of the Lord.
“‘Go,’ said Jesus, ‘your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.”
Mark 10:52 (NIV)
This is one example of many in the New Testament where Jesus healed someone based on their faith. They truly believed in Him and His power.
He sees the desires of your heart and knows your faith. Does this mean we will always get what we want? No. Does it mean we will always be healed on earth? Also, no.
But it does mean that God sees you and will reward your faith. It also means our faith is about following Jesus.
Instead of running off to live his life in a way he’d only previously imagined, the former blind man immediately followed Jesus. He knew where his blessing and healing had come from.
We, too, know where our blessings and evert good gift come from and can put our faith in Him!
“I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I have set my heart on your laws.”
Psalm 119:30 (NIV)
Faithfulness is a way of life we can choose. We choose faith even when our faith is shaken and wavering.
Sometimes when we go through the acts of faithfulness, it grows our faith. I have had times when my heart just wasn’t into worshipping God.
Yet, I found myself drawn along in worship with other believers and before I knew it, God blessed my heart and encouraged me. Living the life we know God has called us lead will draw us closer to Him, even when we are resistant or out of sorts.
“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.”
Romans 10:17 (NIV)
I’ve been going to church my entire life. I cannot begin to tell you ever sermon I’ve heard preached or Sunday School lesson I’ve sat through. But, they have all impacted me. They have served to grow and strengthen my faith.
This verse plainly tells us that faith comes from hearing the message, which is the word of Christ. Keep on reading God’s Word, meeting with His people and listening to music that focuses on Him to keep your faith in tact.
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.”
Isaiah 26:3 (NIV)
The peace in this verse is like that talked about in Philippians 4:7. It is God’s peace that is beyond our understanding.
When we trust in God, no matter how dire the circumstance is, He can give us peace that doesn’t make any sense. He can bring us comfort and assurance through every moment.
“Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.”
Psalm 9:10 (NIV)
This is a good verse to remember for those times you feel like giving up. I love the reminder to trust in God and in HIs name because He has never left me.
The good news is we only have to call on the name of the Lord and He will be right there in the midst of any storm.
Remembering God’s faithfulness in the past helps me have faith and trust in Him even more in the present.
“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?”
Psalms 56:3-4 (NIV)
My all-time favorite Bible verse is Isaiah 41:10, which reminds me that God is always with me and I don’t have to be afraid.
These verses takes that even a step further. Not only can we trust in God when we’re afraid and have Him give us peace, but we can rest assured there is nothing of eternal consequence others can do to us. God is upholding us with His righteous right hand.
We sometimes need to hear the perspective that God is so much bigger than the hard times we go through.
“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 (NIV)
Trusting in God looks like letting go of trying to make sense of things. If we are leaning on His understanding, then we are not leaning on our own.
Faith, trust and leaning on God often don’t make a lot of logical sense. As we choose to follow God, we can decide He knows what He’s doing more than we can understand.
Many times later on we are able to look back and see why He did things that didn’t make sense at the time.
Music for leaning on God
When we are struggling with our faith and trust in God, remembering His past faithfulness is helpful. One lesson I have learned is God won’t ever leave me hanging. He has proven time and again that He’s right there with me every step of the way.
A couple of songs have really spoken this message to me. The first is “Yes He Can” by Cain. I love the message and reminder from this trio that God has always been there in the past and will be now.
Another song that speaks to my heart in so many ways is Bethel Music’s “Goodness of God.” It reminds us how God has always been faithful and so good. It’s one of my favorite songs!
Finally, Andrew Peterson has a song called “Faith to Be Strong” that has been out since 2000 and still inspires and uplifts me. I remember this song really touching my heart after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Encouragement to lean on God in faith
Sometimes more than anything, we just need to ask God for faith. Our Heavenly Father knows our faith and trust in Him can waver. He is ready to help us. It’s OK to be honest with Him about our feelings and ask for help.
Learning to lean on God doesn’t always come naturally or easy to us. We like to be independent and make our own way.
But, these Bible verses about leaning on God and trusting in Him remind us that we don’t have to go alone through difficult times. We can confidently lean into and on the God of the universe who loves us so completely.
Find more posts to encourage your faith walk:
Encouragement for when you feel like you’re failing God
Bible verses for when you feel like giving up
