The Freedom of Dependence: Why Trusting God is Better Than Doing It Yourself

Most of us have heard a toddler confidently declare, “I do it myself!”—whether it’s tying their shoes, pouring milk, or climbing into a chair that’s way too high for them. It’s endearing, sometimes frustrating, and often messy. But that same instinct doesn’t disappear when we grow up. We just get better at hiding it.

Independence is something we value deeply. We call financial freedom the “American Dream.” We measure success by how much control we have over our lives. We like the feeling of not needing help. But what if the very thing we avoid—dependence—is the key to a truly fulfilling life?

The Illusion of Independence

In Exodus 16, the Israelites had been free from Egypt for just 30 days. A month ago, they had watched God split the Red Sea, turn bitter water into something drinkable, and lead them to an oasis. But as soon as they found themselves in the wilderness again, their immediate response wasn’t faith—it was fear and frustration.

"If only we had died in Egypt! At least we had food there!" (Exodus 16:3)

It sounds ridiculous until we realize we do the same thing. We forget what God has done the moment we face a new challenge. We focus so much on our next obstacle that we completely forget the last miracle.

But here’s what’s fascinating: God wasn’t angry with them. He didn’t scold them for being weak or needy. Instead, He met their need with daily provision.

The Gift of Daily Dependence

God told them He would rain down bread from heaven each morning. They were to gather only what they needed for the day—no stockpiling, no hoarding, just daily trust. And sure enough, when some people tried to store extra, it rotted overnight.

Why? Because God wasn’t just providing food. He was teaching them something far more important:

Dependence on Him wasn’t a sign of weakness—it was the way they were designed to live.

And the same is true for us.

We often organize our lives in a way that eliminates our need for God. We work to ensure we never have to rely on anyone. We want to be secure. But in doing so, we may be unintentionally cutting ourselves off from a life where experiencing God’s provision is normal.

Living in Dependence

What if dependence on God isn’t just for emergencies? What if it’s meant to be a daily rhythm? A weekly practice? A yearly remembrance?

1. Daily: What if the first thing we did each morning was acknowledge our need for God? Before checking emails, before making a to-do list—just taking a moment to say, “God, I need you today.”
2. Weekly: God commanded the Israelites to set aside a day of rest—a day to step back from striving and simply trustthat He is enough. When’s the last time you set aside time just to enjoy God’s presence?
3. Annually: The Israelites placed a jar of manna in the Ark of the Covenant as a long-term reminder of God’s provision. What if we intentionally built times into our year to look back at what God has done and renew our trust for what’s ahead?

What If Dependence is the True Freedom?

Jesus Himself modeled this for us. He regularly stepped away from the crowds to depend on the Father. He taught His followers to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11) He lived a life fully dependent on God—not because He had to, but because it was better.

And then, in the ultimate act of trust, He surrendered His life so that we could live free—not just free from sin, but free from the exhausting illusion of self-sufficiency.

If you’ve been living with a “do it myself” mindset, maybe it’s time to ask: What would change in my life if I truly depended on God?

Because the greatest delight in life isn’t in doing it all ourselves. It’s in knowing we don’t have to.

Reflection Questions

1. Where in your life do you tend to operate with a “do it myself” mindset instead of trusting God?
2. How can you build small daily or weekly rhythms to remind yourself of your dependence on God?
3. What’s one way you’ve seen God provide for you in the past? How can remembering that strengthen your faith for what’s ahead?

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