Many of my insecurities come from my inability to control a situation. I know I have control issues. I’m someone who likes to know every possible outcome. However, I understand as a Christian that it’s simply not possible for me to control everything, for me to know every possible outcome. I have learned time and again that life will not always go the way I plan it in my head. They say if you want to make God laugh, tell Him your plans. I say if you live long enough, you’ll experience what I call unplanned events.

Now don’t get me wrong because unplanned events aren’t all bad. In fact, there are some wonderful unplanned events. But in my experience, the unplanned events haven’t been exactly what you’d call wonderful. For example, I didn’t plan to get divorced, but God used that situation to teach me patience. Likewise, I initially didn’t plan to move to Texas, but God used that move to help me grow stronger in His will, not mine.  In each situation, I have learned to pray for God’s will, not mine, to be done.

The lesson here is be careful what you pray for. Many times we pray for our will and not God’s will for us. I recall praying after an interview and telling God that I wanted the job. God answered my prayer; I got the job. However, in the end the job was not what I needed. Truthfully, my focus was on the salary versus the job itself. Never again will I take a job simply for the money. You see, I learned my lesson.

God’s will and my will haven’t always synced up. I had to learn how to pray for His leading and then let Him lead. That is hard when you like to control every aspect of life. I’ve learned some lessons the easy way and others the hard way. But I’m glad God still finds me worthy of His teaching.

Our reminder text today is;

Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name. Psalms 86:11