God is Faithful in ALL THINGS

I pride myself on being prepared and well-planned. I had a post scheduled this week, but with some failures and changes happening, the best-laid plans were shaken up. God laid this message on my heart instead. He’s working on me as we speak. God is faithful.

I’m a recovering people-pleasing planner. I hold my planner tightly, going over all the things that are scheduled, need to be done, the pending appointments, etc. The strong grip I have on this beautiful coral and teal planner is a bit disturbing. 

I like to have every detail planned out because I don’t like surprises and I like to know that the details are all taken care of. I had plans for this week, but those plans seem to be shifting to other things. Some are in my control and others are outside my control.  Mostly things are outside of my control. 

Losing Control

There is so much in the world that I can’t control. I can’t control what other people do, my health, my child’s actions, etc. This planner is the one place where I have control, or at least I thought that before today.

I’m scrambling to write this because if I don’t then the post for the week won’t go out at the appropriate time. And for me, that is utter chaos. 

This morning, God laid on my heart to stop and listen. I heard Him telling me, “It’s time to release your need to control. You’ve done it in your strength, now let me amaze you with mine.” And with that, I unclenched my hands around that planner. Instead of holding tight, I laid it on the table. I opened my hands and started praying the Lord’s prayer.

“‘This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from the evil one.’”

Matthew 6:9-13 NIV

His Will, Not Mine

His Kingdom come, not mine. His will be done, not mine. Praise Him in the moment whether it’s what you expected, wanted, or anticipated. God is faithful when we are not. He was faithful to Abraham and Sarah, even when they took matters into their own hands. (Genesis 16). Ouch, my toes are starting to hurt. God works in ways I don’t always fully understand. If He wanted me to understand, He’d let me, but I’m okay with not knowing. He created the world in seven days (Genesis 2:1-2). He knitted me and you together in our mother’s wombs (Psalm 139:13). I think He can handle the plans for my life. He has all the details covered. The ups and downs, where all I see is chaos and overwhelming. He sees not only the details but the bigger picture too and how it will all be used for His glory. 

Be Encouraged

If you are in a moment of despair and chaos, feeling overwhelmed, don’t be discouraged, friend. Those plans, the broken places, the things that didn’t go the way you wanted or thought they should, the loss of a job or a friend, the grief, the broken relationships, God’s in control. Not us. He knows what He’s doing.

When I unclench these hands and open them, God can use my hands to work on His behalf. He can only use these hands when they are open. When I release it over to Him, I’m saying Your will be done, not my own. He can orchestrate the plans without my human manipulation of the situation.

God Is Faithful

Things don’t always happen the way we want. We get disappointed and we fail. But He is faithful. “If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for he cannot deny who he is.” (2 Timothy 2:13 NLT).

God Is a Promise Keeper

He keeps His promises. When the diagnosis comes, or the results are in and they aren’t at all what we expected, He is there with us. He doesn’t leave us in the pit forever. It may be longer than we want because no one wants to go through trials or tests. Have no fear because He extends His hand to us and lifts us up out of that pit. Remember that He was with the Israelites fulfilling every promise to them. “Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.” (Joshua 21:45 NLT). He didn’t leave the Israelites in the wilderness, He brought them to the promised land. 

God Is a Restorer

He’s not going to leave you there. He’s going to heal you along the way. I love the reminder from Peter, the apostle, “In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.” (1 Peter 5:10 NLT). See God isn’t leaving you in the mess, He’s bringing you out, restoring you, and placing you on a firm foundation. 

God Is a Healer

Through the restoration, healing occurs. Healing happens when I stop trying to control the outcome. “He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.” Psalm 103:3 NLT. He heals us, cleanses us, and changes us when we are willing to allow His will not our own.

Laying My Burdens Down

He plans the moments that will define, shape, and mold us into who He wants us to be and for His will. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done. Today I lay everything that I’m tightly holding at the foot of the cross, and allowing Him to use me in His will.

Also, check out last week’s post on God’s faithfulness in case you missed it here.

Reflection

What do you need to lay down?

What do you need to loosen your grip on?

Prayer

Thank you Gracious Father for never giving up on me, for your patience and understanding. Forgive me for the many times I’ve tried to do everything in my own strength, and change the outcomes in my favor. Today I lay it all down, I release my grip on my life and the control I’m desperate for, may Your kingdom come, and Your will be done. Thank you, Lord. In Jesus’s name. Amen. 

Also Check Out:

The Grit and Grace Project

If just hearing the words “summer body” or “swimwear” is making you cringe and your posture change, then join me over at The Grit and Grace Project where I talk about body image.