We discussed speaking about bitachon as a technique for acquiring it. There are several other approaches, and we will discuss some of them.
Reb Shimon Sofer zt'l (son of Ksav Sofer, Shir Meon, printed in Toras Moshe, Bechukosei, Haftarah) explains the pasuk (Yirmiyahu 17:7) הגבר ברוך מבטחו 'ה והיה 'בה יבטח אשר, "Blessed is the man who trusts in Hashem, that Hashem is his trust." What is the purpose of this double expression? He writes, "It is very hard to have complete bitachon in Hashem. But a person should do as much as possible, and then Hakadosh Baruch Hu will help him acquire perfection in bitachon. About this, Chazal (Succah 52:) say, 'If Hakadosh Baruch Hu doesn't help him, he won't succeed.' A person tries to attain bitachon, and Hakadosh Baruch Hu will stand by his side and help him succeed. This is the meaning of the words 'בה יבטח אשר הגבר ברוך. He trusts in Hashem. מבטחו 'ה והיה, and then Hakadosh Baruch Hu will help him acquire perfection in bitachon."
Someone complained to the Satmar Rebbe zt'l that he lacks bitachon. The Rebbe told him, "To attain bitachon, one also needs bitachon. Have bitachon that Hashem will help you attain bitachon."
The Beis Avraham zt'l (Chanukah, Ner 6) writes that Hashem accepts our bitachon, even when it isn't perfect. This is alluded to in the words (Tehillim 33:22) כאשר עלינו 'ה חסדך יהי לך יחלנו, "May Your kindness, Hashem, be upon us, as if we trusted in You." The word כאשר means "as if." Even if it is only like we trust in Hashem, it is enough to draw down Hashem's chesed and bounty.
Rebbe Refael of Barshid zt'l said that if a person sees that his bitachon isn't perfect, he should trust in Hashem that Hashem will help him, even if his bitachon isn't perfect.
