April 17, 2008
Trust is the Word of the Day
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your path straight.”
Proverbs 3: 5-6 (NIV)
Devotion:
I have been up most of the night with a sick child. The fever, coughing, aching, can't sleep a wink kind of yuck has hopped on my Ashley. The same Ashley that is supposed to be competing in our state gymnastics meet this weekend. She has been healthy and feeling great all week... but yesterday things just sort of fell apart.
The state meet is the pinnacle of the gymnastic season. It determines which girls will go on to the regional competition. I know in the grand scheme of life, this pales in comparison to many more serious matters. But, in her little world this is a really big deal.
To a mom watching her little girl in tears over this, it is certainly a recipe for getting all worked into a tizzy, as we say in the south. But I am making a conscious choice to refuse Tizzy's invitation and instead embrace whatever it is God is wanting to teach us in this situation.
Trust is the word of the day.
But sometimes trust is an awfully big pill to swallow - especially when it means taking a completely different route than what you were expecting. That's why we must choose to trust despite our feelings.
I am choosing to trust God and stand on His promises even when my feelings beg me to feel confused and uncertain. Proverbs 3:5-6 remind us, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your path straight."
I have walked with the Lord through enough disappointments to know His path is the best path. When we ask Him to take a certain turn that we think looks so good and He says no, it is for our good.
His "no" could be for our PROTECTION... protecting us from something we can't see. Maybe this sickness is the very thing God is using to protect Ashley from attending today's practice and getting severely hurt. Maybe she won't even be able to compete at all this weekend. And maybe that is His protection as well.
His "no" could be for our PROVISION... providing something so much better than what we thought was the best thing. In our minds the best thing would be for Ashley to compete feeling her best. But she had her best meet of this entire year, with a sinus infection and ear ache. Who knows? Only God...so whether she competes or not, we are certain of His provision.
His "no" could simply be part of the PROCESS of growing Ashley closer to Himself... when we are weak, only then can we truly understand how He can be our strength. Whether that is strength to compete, or strength to let this dream die, I pray she embraces this part of the process of growing closer to God.
Dear Lord, I trust you Lord. I trust your plan. I trust your goodness. I trust what you can see and I can't. I trust you with it all Lord. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Related Resources:
What Happens When Women Walk in Faith by Lysa TerKeurst
Visit Lysa’s blog to read the rest of this story
If this situation speaks to your heart, though your circumstances might be different, I'd love for you to tell me by posting a comment on my blog. I’ll have a prayer team praying over the comments today.
Application Steps:
Verbalize your trust in God for a specific situation right now. Think of a situation that has been troubling you lately. Then tell God, “I trust you God. I trust you to handle ________________. I trust you when I see good things coming from my trust. And I trust you when I don’t understand at all. Give me the courage to trust you long enough to walk to a place of peace with _______________________.
Reflections:
What stops me from trusting in God?
Is there any way that I can truly control this situation?
Isn’t it more comforting to leave what I can not control in the hands of God who is completely capable?
Power Verses:
John 16: 33, “I have told you these things, so that you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (NIV)
Isaiah 55:9, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (NIV)
Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (NIV)
© 2008 by Lysa TerKeurst. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
616-G,
Matthews, NC 28105
Originally published Thursday, 17 April 2008.
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