Day seven
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”
Proverbs 3:5-8
This verse has always been one of my personal favorites, it can be applied to almost any situation. Usually, though, you stop at “and he will make straight your paths.” Right? It wasn’t until recently did I continue reading that I realized that there was more truth behind this powerful piece of scripture. Those who know me well, know that I struggle with control; I like to know the plan and how things will get accomplished. I like things done when I want them done and I like them done the way I like them done. Why? Well, my way is the right way, of course! I don’t know if you’re anything like me, but I think we all have a tendency to want things done our way. What happens to us when those things are not done our way? What happens to your heart?
I’ve gone on three mission trips to Central America and it has been very stretching for those of us that struggle with control. We’ve actually come up with a new beatitude that I’m sure just didn’t get placed in the Bible, “Blessed are the flexible for they will be stretched.” We would have a “plan for the day,” which I’m not really sure why we spent the time to make because nine times out of 10 that plan would be hijacked and we’d end up going a different direction. As you can imagine, this was quite frustrating for us control freaks. God used these situations to remind us of our inability to know his plan. Each plan that got hijacked was soon followed by a move of the Holy Sprit. God obviously knew what he was doing when he changed our plans. When we trust in the Lord with all our hearts we need to lean on HIS understanding, not ours. We have no way of knowing his ultimate goal in every situation, that is why we have to trust that God has a plan and “everything will work together for the good of those who love God” Romans 8:28. When we are wise in our own eyes, thinking our way is best, we shut ourselves off from what God wants to bless us with. If we fear the Lord, meaning we bow our knee to his will, then we are able to turn away from our evil hearts and accept His best for our lives. Instead of getting all frustrated and bitter when the plan gets changed, we are able to feel his peace, which is “healing to our flesh and refreshing to our bones.” Isaiah 26:3-4 says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock.” Isa. 26:3-4 At some point on this challenge your plans will get changed, you may forget to take some of the pills or you’ll miss a meal- don’t freak out! God has a plan for your day, don’t trust in your own understanding of how you think your day needs to unfold, trust in God’s all-knowing plan and accept whatever journey he takes you on as a blessing. Then, he will help you get back on track and all will be well. “The Lord is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. And those who know your name put their trust in you for you, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you.” Ps. 9:9-10
Today’s Exercise: Trust Walk
Go for a walk or jog today and don’t plan out where you will go. From the minute you walk out the door till the time God brings you back home, ask him which way you should go. Right or left, fast or slow, let him direct your path. Keep an eye out for the blessings he wants to reveal to you. It could be beautiful sunrises, a family of deer crossing the road, a bird singing you a song; whatever it is, trust that God has you on the right path. Ask him what part of your life it is that you need to trust him more, is it your family situation? Your finances? A certain relationship? Then ask him to help you place your trust in him and his abilities work everything together for the good of those who love him.