“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own.
Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.
Don’t assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!” Proverbs 3:5-7 (The Message).
Last time we were together we talked about the issue of submission. It’s not a coincidence that during the summer while dealing with this issue as a parent, God asked me submit to Him on a deeper level. I believe God wanted me to grow in the area of trust, and He used my job as a way to cement that teaching. Late June I found out my income would be lessened significantly in six weeks. My first reaction was a panic attack. However, God had something better in mind for me than that. I’d learned a few months ago to praise God even when things looked bleak, so that’s what I did. After praising Him for an opportunity for something better, without knowing any specifics, I asked for peace while I waited. During the downtime, I still panicked some and had many conversations with my Father about what I was willing and not willing to do. I reminded Him I didn’t want to work outside the home because my desire is to be a stay-at-home mom, but if He wanted me to do Plan A, B, or C, that would work into my schedule fairly well.
However, the more I trusted God had a plan and His plan would be for my good, it was easier to submit and say, “Your will, Lord, not mine.” I remember about two weeks before my “official last day,” putting my hands up and saying, “Whatever You want me to do, Lord, I’m willing. It’s not about what I want. You know my desires better than I do.” The amazing part about my prayer was I became excited to give it all over to Him and watch Him work. I didn’t grudgingly say words I was supposed to; no, with a grateful heart I willingly submitted to God’s plan. That full submission even included peace about employment outside the home. I trusted if that was His plan for our family, He’d work out the details.
Has there ever been a time in your life when you had to submit to God but were afraid? What were the results?
© 2013 Cheri Swalwell