One who trusts in God does not worry about worldly matters, and does not go further than necessary to seek his livelihood. He does not need to perform exhausting labor. If something unfortunate occurs in his business dealings, he does not become too upset. One who trusts in God rejoices, because he trusts that everything God does is for his ultimate benefit.

The benefits of trusting in God:

The benefits of trusting in God include: (1) Mental rest from worldly concerns; relief from the anxiety and distress caused by the need to satisfy one’s physical desires; having quiet, security, and serenity in life…(2) Rest from traveling far, which wears out the body and shortens life…(3) Rest for both the body and soul from performing difficult tasks and from work that exhausts the body; freedom from the need to serve kings, follow their bureaucracy, and their corrupt officials. One who trusts in God chooses a livelihood that brings greater rest for his body, a good reputation for himself, freedom for his mind, and that is best suited to fulfilling his obligations arising from the Torah and his faith. For his actions are not the cause and will not add anything to or subtract anything from his portion; rather, it is all by the decree of God…(4) Less worry with regard to business dealings, e.g., if one is left with [unsold] merchandise, or cannot collect a debt, or if he gets sick; for he knows that the Creator manages his concerns more than he does, and that He chooses better for him than that which he would choose for himself…(5) Joy at everything that comes to him [in life], even if it goes against his nature, because he trusts in God that He does only good for him in all things, like a mother who has compassion on her child as, against his will, she washes and diapers him, and tightens and loosens his clothes.

The nature of trust in God:

What is trust in God? It is spiritual tranquility for the one who trusts. His heart relies on the One in whom he trusts; he believes that He will do what is good and right for him in the matter of that trust, to the extent of his [limited] ability to understand what is [actually] good for him. (Rabbeinu Baĥya ibn Pakuda, Ĥovot HaLevavot 4: Introduction, 1)

Further reading: For more on trust in God, see A Concise Guide to the Sages, p. 381.

Trusting in God means knowing that He can alter nature’s course and change a person’s lot in life. One must trust in God even when he is in distress, as God knows what is good for a person, even better than he himself does. Suffering occurs in order to bring people closer to God.

The Holy One, blessed be He, is all-powerful, and can deliver people from any situation:

Trust in God…means that a person should know in his heart that everything is in the hands of Heaven; it is in God’s hands to change nature and to alter fate. Nothing can stop Him from an act of salvation, large or small. Even when misfortune is close by, God’s salvation is at hand, for He is all-powerful. Even if one sees the sword upon his neck, he should not give up on the possibility of deliverance…

God sends us what is best for us:

One of the aspects of trust in God is that one should have no doubts with regard to his trust. Even if many evils and troubles find him, he should exert himself to serve God and to trust in Him absolutely, for his reward will be multiplied. God will choose good things for him, and the choice is not in his hands. For sometimes one thinks that he is choosing the right thing when it is in fact the opposite. In this way, every individual must relinquish all of his concerns to God’s higher decision, because He, who formed the individual in his mother’s womb, is the one who knows what benefits him and what harms him, even more so than he does himself. If a person sees that he has suffered misfortunes, he should consider this as a rebuke from God, for God rebukes those that He loves. Likewise, one should believe that everything is for his benefit, to bring him closer to God and to enlarge his portion in the world of reward. (Rabbeinu Baĥya ibn Ĥalawa, Kad HaKemaĥ, Bitaĥon)

One who trusts in God engages only in Torah and mitzvot. He does not fear wicked people, nor does he do anything that conflicts with his service of the Creator. There are several ideas that strengthen us in achieving complete trust, including the knowledge that God has mercy on us and that all the good we have was sent by Him. We do not deserve the good that we have received, and we cannot add or detract from that which God has decreed. God can see whether or not a person has complete trust and it remains only for the person to fulfill the will of God.

One who trusts in God is not afraid of anyone:

If one believes in God with a full heart and trusts in Him firmly, that trust will enable him not to fear evil from any person, and likewise, not to serve or try to please another. Such an individual will not place his hopes on another, nor concede to him in a matter that goes against service of the Creator. He will not be afraid by the affairs of others, nor of [the possibility of entering into] disputes with them. If he rebukes others [for their bad deeds] he will not be over-cautious about their honor. If he [justifiably] shames them he will not be embarrassed before them or embellish lies for them.

Seven concepts that strengthen a person’s trust in God:

One must study the ideas and concepts that strengthen his heart so that it maintains complete trust in God: (1) One should be fully aware that God has mercy on us more so than any human has. (2) All the good that comes to an individual from his father, mother, siblings, relatives, and friends is [actually] from God, and these people are emissaries of the Omnipresent. (3) One should be aware that all good comes as a result of God’s kindness, and not because he is deserving of it. (4) One should be aware that all things in life have limits, and no one can add or take away from that which the Creator has decreed. If the Holy One, blessed be He, decreed that one will have little, he cannot increase the amount. Likewise, one cannot reduce the [amount if he receives] much. If God decrees that something is to occur at a later time, no one can hasten it, nor can one delay [something that is to occur in the near future]. (5) One should be aware that the Creator sees into his mind and knows whether his trust in Him is complete and without pretense. (6) One should accept upon himself to do all that God has commanded him, and to refrain from doing everything He has cautioned him not to do, just as he desires that the Creator will do what he trusts Him to do. (7) One should be aware that the Creator, blessed be He, created human beings with the ability to do many kinds of labor, and He created their sustenance for them, [which is obtained] through great effort and work. (Orĥot Tzaddikim, Sha’ar HaSimĥa)