Last night as I was lying in bed, my mind was busy. Some situations and circumstances were troubling me, and I was talking to the Lord about them. Then I caught myself falling into a familiar trap, and I DID IT AGAIN! I found myself telling the Lord what to do. Seriously. I heard myself saying, “Lord, please do………”
In my mind I had figured out the best way to take care of the troubling situation, so rather than ask God for His wisdom, and turn it over to Him, I instead had chosen to plan it out, then let Him know what should be done!
Have you ever been there/done that?!
Don’t get me wrong. At times, I think it’s okay for us to “tell” God what to do. There is a verse that says “Concerning the work of my hands, command ye me.” (Isaiah 45:11) God openly invites us to come to Him, and ask Him to do what we need Him to do. HOWEVER, I was basing my “commands” on my own wisdom, and seeking MY desires, rather than HIS will.
God gently reminded that when things aren’t the way I’d like them to be, He doesn’t need me to try to fix things with my own plans.
GOD DOES ENCOURAGE ME to ask Him to:
*Work in the hearts of all those that are involved in the situation, in His own way.
*Change me as needed – not them!
*Help me to respond right.
*Give me wisdom as to what I should or should not do or say.
*Give me clear direction and affirmation through His Word.
*Help me to “stand still and let God move”.
Is there a situation in your life that has you bothered? Rather than try to figure it out on your own, or try to “fix it”, why not turn it over to God, and let Him take care of it in His own way?
10 Responses
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Judith, that is SO true! The power of prayer for our kids is so great! Yet I get caught up in trying to figure out the little things I’m dealing with & how I can help “fix” it with God’s help. :/
Oh Kathie!! How many times have I been there done that?! I was watching the World Cup US soccer game last night and found myself fervently asking that the US would win! I know the Lord cares for our littlest concerns but I realized that I was seeing God from the wrong perspective. I also thought how we should pray fervently for the things that aren’t quite so obvious like safety for our family in traveling or spiritually for the upcoming day or week but too often we just get busy and things seem alright and we don’t pray fervently until there is a crisis. How many bad situations our children get into could have been different if we had prayed with all our heart fervently for what we couldn’t see in the future of that day, week, month, or year!!
Joanne, I love those verses in Isaiah. Such a great reminder that His ways are above ours,and better than what we could ask or think!
I’m glad He is so patient when I, like you said, start telling Him MY plans again!
Elizabeth, I know what you mean. It’s hard to pray in faith like that, isn’t it? I’m glad God reminds me now and then that He knows more than I do, and I need to just trust Him with things!
All. The. Time.
Some of the most difficult words for me to say to God is, “Thy will be done.” Most of the time I’m not sure I really even mean them. That is my prayer too. That someday, my faith will be strong enough to mean it more often than not.
I am afraid that I do the same thing…. and then realize it, repent and walk in the spirit, then start telling God my plans again, etc.. I am SO glad that His ways are perfect and that He doesn’t give me some of the things I ask for!!! What a wonderful God we serve! 🙂
I so often find myself doing the same thing & then catch myself. Repeatedly this week, I have been looking at Isaiah 55:8-9 & remembering His thoughts & ways are not like my own. Wonderful & encouraging this morning!
I’m there. My prayers are either, “HELP!” or “Please take this cup from me.”