Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. Do not consider yourself to be wise; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
Proverbs 3:5-7 HCSB
How many times have you seen a problem coming your way and immediately start thinking about or considering how you will handle it? Perhaps you plan to strike out in anger and are crouched down waiting to pounce. Perhaps you plot evil against the enemy and consider making him sorry for what he has done to you. I used to make big plans, but now I just plan to wait. I have learned that God will guide me in everything that I do. I have learned to live out Proverbs 3:5-6 that tells us not to lean on our own understanding but to consider God in all that we do.
Lamentations 3:25 tells us that the Lord is good to those who wait for Him and those who seek Him. Isaiah 40:31 tells us that those who wait for the LORD will renew their strength and rise up on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary and walk and not faint. If we wait on God, He gives us strength and endurance for whatever comes our way. We are told in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that if God’s people would just humble themselves and seek Him with all their heart and turn from their evil ways that He would hear their cry and heal their land. How many of God’s people are willing to truly humble themselves and give it to God? If you knew it would bring much needed healing to our land, would you do it then?
Yesterday, we attended the funeral of my husband’s uncle. Two words were used to describe him over and over, strong and humble. He had great physical strength and had excelled in football gaining a college scholarship. He was a handsome man with welcoming blue eyes and a great smile. He was strong and handsome, but he was humble. I never was around him that he didn’t offer a smile and speak kindly to me. His words had a warmness about them. He never seemed to be arrogant or proud. He was humble. It takes strength to be humble. The priest said that he had been faithful in his church attendance and had considered the Lord and His word a great deal.
Our scripture passage tells us not to consider ourselves wise but to consider the Lord in all that we do. When you lash out in anger, are you considering the LORD? When you curse God, are you considering Him? When you plot evil against your enemy or wish them harm, are you considering the Lord? When you fail to do what God commands us to do in His Holy Word are you considering Him?
Many of us live our lives our way. I know this from personal experience. I’ve been there, done that and got the t-shirt. I know all about doing things my way. I also know that all that ever brought me was heartache and pain. It left me feeling frustrated when things didn’t go my way.
For years I lived in frustration and chaos. I wanted God to change those around me. When I finally humbled myself and surrendered to Him, He pointed out that I was the one who needed to change. He helped me to do that. He taught me that if I would let go of my pride and humbly submit to Him that He would take good care of me.
I have also come to realize that what seems impossible to me is no big deal to God. When I can’t see a way to solve my problem, He is already working on it. I can’t imagine all those years when God must have just sat back shaking His head at my stubbornness and stupidity. I thank God for His patience and His mercy and His grace.
Surrendering my life to God was the best thing I have ever done. I no longer have to worry because I know that whatever is going on in my life, God’s got it. I know that He wants good things for me (Jeremiah 29:11). I know that when things seem to be falling apart, He is just putting them into place (Romans 8:28). I do my best to consider Him in all that I do. It keeps me out of trouble.
I have no idea what is going on in your life, but I do know that if you are willing to humble yourself and surrender and submit to Him that He will take good care of you. I know that His plans are way better than my plans. I have had to learn this the hard way. I pray that you don’t have to.
Have a great day!