“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.” Proverbs 3:5-6. (A proverb is a brief saying that expresses a basic truth or practical teaching).
Reading this Proverb seems so simple doesn’t it? And it actually is for those who have tremendous faith to willingly hand over trials, troubles, tribulations and anything else that begins with a “t”! But if you have a nature that, for reasons known only to you, causes you to doubt others, then you may find it extremely difficult to hand over your concerns and worries to anyone. Being in control of every aspect of your life is something you are used to doing and so you trust your instincts to get you through it all. If you feel this works for you then that’s great. But what if most often your battles leave you feeling more defeated than triumphant and victorious?
“Nothing ever goes right in my life….. not one thing!” This statement is more common than we realize. It just takes one simple thing to go wrong first thing in the morning and its “this is such a bad day” even though the day has barely begun. You have just dictated what the remainder of your day will be like and because you have sunk this idea deep into your subconscious, you will unknowingly be looking to add to your “I told you this is a bad day” list in everything you do. I warmed the milk to make my tea the other morning at 5 and dropped the cup, the milk went everywhere along with shattered glass from my favourite cup scattering in every possible direction.
Undaunted, I shrugged my shoulders, mopped up, got a new cup and proceeded to warm some milk. As I removed the cup from the microwave the same thing happened again – I couldn’t believe it! Drop, mop, get a new cup and start over. The quote “it’s no good crying over spilt milk” came to mind and I never let it bother me. I knew, however, my day wasn’t ruined yet because it was still early and I was sure (and expected) that there would be blessings coming my way – and it started with a delightful cup of tea! I leaned not on my own understanding in this clumsy example because if I had allowed it, it could have become an anger management issue!
This is just a trivial illustration but of course there are bigger problems that many are trying to wade through laboriously. The path that leads to the pot of gold of peace at the rainbows end should be an uncomplicated and pleasurable stroll, but most often it deviates haphazardly in a nonsensical maze!
When problems multiply and pile up in an endless barrage of confusion along with stress and anxiety perhaps it’s time to admit you can’t do this on your own anymore. You’ve done your best. But the hour has now arrived for you to allow your darling in Heaven, Jesus, to take over and restore order and peace in your life – He’s always with you anyway. Leave the details up to God; He knows what you need long before you do. He will never let go of you nor let you down – others may but He won’t. He wants you to have a happy day, every day by resting and trusting in Him – completely. A “straight path” as Proverbs says, sounds a lot more pleasant doesn’t it? Gods understanding and love for us is so much greater than ours could ever be, that’s why leaning on Him is a wise decision.
My prayer for you all today: “Thank you Father that you will fill us with wisdom and understanding, with grace and completeness, with courage and determination, with trust to lean on you and not our own understanding, with boundless joy and unending love and with grace and blessings so we may bless each other, in Jesus name I pray, Amen”
Lots of hugs, Avy xxxxx
