Can you truly say, “I trust the Lord every step of the way,” without a shadow of a doubt?

If you answered yes to that question, that is wonderful. But if you answered no, please know that you are not struggling with this alone.

Trusting in the Lord—especially when times are tough—can feel like trying to take a step forward when it’s pitch dark all around you. You can’t see the path, and you don’t know what to expect with your next step.

But learning how to trust in the Lord is a skill that can bring so many blessings into our lives. How can we learn to do this, especially when it feels most difficult?

Trusting in The Lord Even When It’s Difficult

Putting our trust in the Lord in moments where everything feels safe and good can be easy. We see the steps clearly; we understand what happens next.

But saying, “Okay, Heavenly Father, I trust you,” during times when you are struggling, when you are unsure, and when you are scared is a completely different challenge. It can feel like being told to jump into deep, dark waters, not knowing if you are going to keep your head above the surface.

If you feel this way, please pause before you think, “Oh, perhaps I am faithless.”

Remember that this struggle happens even to the most faithful. Even great prophets have faced moments where the path was unclear and their hearts were heavy.

Consider these three experiences:

Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail

Even the Prophet of the Restoration faced moments of deep despair. While trapped in the freezing darkness of Liberty Jail, with the Saints suffering outside, Joseph cried out, “O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?” He felt abandoned and confused, yet he poured his heart out to the Lord rather than turning away.

Nephi Returning to Jerusalem

When Nephi was commanded to return to Jerusalem to get the brass plates, he didn’t have a map or a strategic plan. He described his experience by saying, “I was led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which I should do.” He had to trust the Lord literally one step at a time, walking into the dark of the city without knowing how the night would end.

Moses at the Red Sea

Imagine standing before the Red Sea with an army approaching from behind. Moses and the children of Israel were trapped. To the natural eye, it was a disaster. It looked like the end. But Moses had to trust that the Lord could make a way where there was absolutely no way. He had to stand still and trust before the waters ever parted.

Even the faithful have felt fear and uncertainty. And there is nothing terrible about that. We are human beings with feelings that are, by nature, very human. Our vision is limited. We simply do not always see what God sees.

But what we choose to do, even when we are unsure, matters the most.

• Joseph Smith endured his suffering well. He didn’t let the darkness of the prison overcome the light of his testimony. He eventually emerged from Liberty Jail and continued to lead the Saints with renewed strength and revelation.

• Moses stood his ground. With the enemy behind him and the ocean before him, he still raised his staff. He acted in faith before the miracle occurred.

• Nephi kept walking. He continued moving forward into the city, even though he knew his life was on the line, trusting that God would prepare the way.

The Lord doesn’t require us to ignore our feelings or pretend to be fearless. He, above all, understands our hearts. But He does require us to trust Him.

And moving forward—even when there are so many unknowns—is the very definition of trusting Him.

So, how do we master this? 

How Do We Trust The Lord Better?

Trusting the Lord sn’t about erasing our fear, but knowing where to put our focus on in our journey. 

Like Moses, just do what the Lord asks.

It might be full of unknowns, but we have to trust that He will perform the miracles He promised us. This might include paying your tithing even when the bills are tight, trusting that He will open the windows of heaven. Or it might mean forgiving someone who hurt you, even when your heart isn’t quite ready, trusting that He will heal your pain as you let go of the bitterness.

Like Nephi, remember that He prepares a way.

We have to hold on to the truth that when the Lord gives a commandment, He provides a way for us to accomplish it. This could mean leaving a relationship that you know isn’t right for you, even if you are afraid of being alone, trusting He has something better in store. It could mean accepting a calling or a responsibility that feels too big for your abilities, trusting that He will qualify you for the work.

Like Joseph Smith, understand that faith doesn’t mean a trouble-free life. We have to realize that even though we follow the Lord, not everything will immediately be “sunshine and rainbows.” We will still be tried. Sometimes, it is going to be hard. You might be doing everything right—reading your scriptures, praying, and serving—and yet you still face a chronic illness, a job loss, or a family struggle. These trials are not signs that He has left you; they are often the very experiences that are refining you.

To Trust The Lord Is To Make That Step

Trusting the Lord is a journey, not a destination. It is a choice we make every single day.

So, if you are standing in the dark right now, unsure of your next step, don’t stop. Take that step. Trust that the Lord is not only watching over you, but He is also walking right beside you.

He knows the end from the beginning, and He promises that if we trust Him, He will lead us home.