The pasuk states (Mishlei 3:5): ‘Trust in Hashem with your entire heart and do not lean on your cleverness.’ The Vilna Gaon zy’a (quoted in Hagadah Shaarei Armon) explains this to mean that one should not even look at his cleverness as something to lean on. This means that one should never offer ‘advice’ to Hashem. One doesn’t need to tell Him how to help us or what means to use to send our salvation. Rather, one should fully trust in Him to find the best way to help.
In this vein, the pasuk states (Devarim 12:4): ‘Do not do ‘this’ to Hashem, your G-d.’ Rav Pinchos of Koritz zy’a understands this to mean that one shouldn’t tell Hashem to send his salvation in a specific way. One shouldn’t tell Him to do ‘this’. Rather, one should merely ask for His help and rely on Him to provide it in the best possible way.
Bitachon Above Seichal
Rav Yisroel Salanter zt’l similarly explains that bitachon must go beyond seichal. If someone has ideas for how he could succeed, and he davens to Hashem to grant him success in the way that he envisions it, he is limiting the power of Hashem, so to speak. It is as if he is saying that Hashem can only help him in this way. Therefore, one should simply trust in Hashem to help him, and not offer any ‘advice’ regarding how to do it.
A Lack of Bitachon
The pasuk in Tehillim (37:5) states: ‘Commit your way to Hashem, and trust in Him and He will act.’ The Malbim explains that one who lacks bitachon is unable to commit to one plan. He will run here and there, trying as many ways as possible to find a solution. But one who trusts in Hashem can commit to Him. He can stick to one path and rely on Him to act on his behalf.