journey onWord with us

We all try to make the right choices. We plan, pray and move forward. But then things seem to go haywire. All the work we did to obey God and to do the right things doesn’t produce the intended and desired result. Have you ever felt that way? I was struck by this reality after talking to a friend in South Florida the other day.

His family was making plans and seeking the right decision. Irma was heading toward the east coast of Florida, so they left Miami and went west to Tampa. His father-in-law had to have power for oxygen. Once in Tampa, they realized the storm was moving west. So my friend headed back home to South Florida, and left his wife and in-laws in Tampa to stay with relatives because they would probably be more apt to have power. The storm hit and my friend in South Florida never lost power … but his wife and in-laws in Tampa did. So they all were forced to head back home Monday in search of the power that was so desperately needed. How frustrating must this have been! Did God know it would happen? Certainly! Does He care about our well-being? Certainly! Is He sovereign? Certainly! So how do we respond, when life goes haywire?

Along with the hurricane, I have been praying about several issues important to our family. We are trying to live by biblical principles, but that doesn’t make us immune from things going haywire.  At the close of my prayer time Monday, I asked the Lord, “What is Your perspective?” on the issues of concern to me. Obviously, I don’t have all the answers. But immediately, three words came to mind. Did the Lord speak directly into my prayer time or did I emotionally think of the words? I would certainly like to think it was the Lord, because they are words of comfort in the haywire moments of life. The three key words tied to my prayer were wisdom, don’t worry and wait.

I can promise you the Father doesn’t always communicate with me in alliteration, but these “w” words are powerful ones, nonetheless. We are all subject to our best laid plans going haywire in the moment, but the Father is in control of those moments and we can rest in seeking Him, making plans and accepting His outcome. Proverbs 16:9 gives me peace when prayerful plans go haywire. God is always in control.

We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps. (NLT)

In the context of your best laid plans going awry, sit with these familiar verses as if you were looking at them for the first time with fresh eyes.  For believers in Christ, trusting God and His words can change your perspective when moments get out of control.

Wisdom ::  If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.  But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.   James 1:5-8 (NLT)

Worry ::  Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Philippians 4:6 (NLT)

Wait ::  Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him.  Psalm 62:5 (NLT)

Over the last couple of weeks, millions have been confronted by life-threatening hurricanes. On varying scales, followers of Christ face haywire moments constantly and seek to make sound decisions. Although our decisions my not lead to our desired outcome, there is One who is behind the scenes with sovereign power and undeniable grace and love. Could it be that we all would be wiser to just accept the control of God and heed the counsel of seeking wisdom, refusing to worry and simply waiting before our loving Creator and guide? Think about it!