7 Reasons Why Depending on God is Important

Inside: We are told from a young age to be independent not dependent, however, God wants us to rely on Him and to need Him daily in our lives. 7 Reasons Why Depending on God is Important.

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When I was a new mom, I had a lot of advice coming at me.

And while it came from a good place, there was one theme that kept repeating:

Do everything you can to make that baby independent.

Don’t hold her too much—you’ll spoil her.

Start solids early so she isn’t reliant on you.

She should be walking by one so she can get where she needs to go on her own.

If I’m honest… it felt like a subtle pressure.

A push toward independence.

And as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized…

•  that message didn’t stop in motherhood.
•  it followed me into adulthood.

Our culture loves self-reliance.

And the truth is… sometimes we forget just how big God actually is.

If you’ve ever needed a reminder of that, I wrote more about it here → My God Is So Big

Because when our view of God gets smaller… we start relying on ourselves more.
We celebrate:

• independence
• self-sufficiency
• “I can do it on my own”

 

 The Tension We Feel

Let’s define it for a second:

Independence: freedom from needing others.

Dependence: relying on or needing someone.

If you’re anything like me… dependence doesn’t sound appealing.

It almost feels… weak.

Like we’re not capable.

Like we should be doing better.

Because haven’t we been taught that: independence = confidence?

But Here’s What I’m Learning…

As a Christian… self-reliance actually works against the life God calls us to.

Because following Jesus isn’t about proving we can do it on our own.

It’s about:

• surrender
• trust
• dependence

We really only have two ways to live: hold tightly to control, or release it and trust God with it.

And if we’re honest?

Many of us say we trust God…but still try to control everything.

 

 The Quiet Struggle

We claim faith…but live exhausted.

Trying to:

• figure everything out.
• fix everything ourselves.
• carry more than we were meant to.

And in the process?

We miss the peace that comes from depending on Him.

 

The Deeper Truth

Here’s something I’ve come to see clearly: we all have a need for Jesus

A deep longing that nothing else fills.

We try:

• productivity
• control
• success
• even being a “good person”

But none of it quite fits.

Like trying to force a square peg into a round hole.

And the truth?

 It will never fit.

Until we become dependent on God.

 

Why This Really Matters

Self-reliance won’t carry us where we ultimately need to go.

We can try to be “good enough”…but God requires perfection.

And because we live in a broken world…we need a Savior.

Jesus stepped in and did what we never could.

He took our place.

He paid our debt.

So that when God looks at us… He sees us through Jesus.

 And that?

That’s where dependence begins.

Not in trying harder…but in receiving what we could never earn.

Why Do We Need to Depend on God?

Here are a few reasons that have become so real to me:

1. Everything else is shifting

(Psalm 73:25–26, NLT).
Whom have I in heaven but you?
    I desire you more than anything on earth.
My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
    but God remains the strength of my heart;
    he is mine forever.

Everything in life changes.

God doesn’t.

2. He guides and blesses our path

(Proverbs 3:6, NLT).
Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.

When we follow Him, He leads us in ways we can’t see on our own.

3. He carries us through dark seasons

(Isaiah 50:10, NLT).
Who among you fears the Lord
    and obeys his servant?
If you are walking in darkness,
    without a ray of light,
trust in the Lord
    and rely on your God.

There are moments in life where nothing else helps… but He does.We produce fruit through Him

(John 15:5, NLT).
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.

We don’t have to force growth.

Connection with Him produces it.

5. He provides what we need

(Psalm 145:15, NLT).
The eyes of all look to you in hope;
    you give them their food as they need it.

Not always what we want…but always what we need.

6. He knows the future

(Philippians 4:5, NLT).
Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

We don’t have to figure everything out.

He already sees it all.

7. Our lives have a greater purpose

(Jeremiah 29:11, NLT).
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

We weren’t created just to survive… we were created to glorify God and walk with Him.

And if trusting God feels hard right now… you’re not alone.

Sometimes we need truth we can go back to again and again.

I’ve gathered some of my favorite Scriptures here → Verses About Trusting God

 5 Simple Ways to Grow in Dependence

Not complicated. Just intentional.

• Spend time in His Word.
• Talk to Him in prayer.
• Focus on Him more than your problems.
• Surround yourself with other believers.
• Ask Him to shape your heart.

A Gentle Reality Check

If life feels hard…our instinct is often:  “How do I fix this?”

That’s self-reliance talking.

But even when we “solve” one problem… another one shows up.

And sometimes, when life feels heavy… it’s not just hard—it can make God feel distant too.

If you’ve been in that place, I shared more about it here → When God Feels Distant (But You Haven’t Walked Away)

 A Better Way

So instead of leaning harder into independence…I’m choosing something different.

 I’m leaning into God.

Because the truth is:

I need Him.

Every hour.

Every day.

In the small things and the big ones.

Without Him?

 I would be lost.

 Final Encouragement

The world might say dependence is weakness.

But it’s actually the opposite.

• it’s wisdom
• it’s surrender
• it’s strength

Because when we depend on God…we’re depending on:

 the One who made heaven and earth.

And that?

That’s the safest place to be.

The truth is:  “all other ground is sinking sand.” – Edward Mote

💜 My Go-To Faith Tools

These are a few simple tools I come back to again and again when I need to refocus, reset, and spend intentional time with God:

• My everyday Bible → link
• A journal for prayer, thoughts, and processing →link
• Bible highlighters I love for slowing down in Scripture → link

Nothing fancy—just simple tools that help create space to meet with Him. 💜