We’ve got your daily encouragement, written by Kelly Bryant.
Bible Reading:
Proverbs 3:5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
Word:
One of my earliest memories as a child is walking through the grocery store parking lot with my mother, holding onto her hand with my eyes tightly closed. I remember blindly trusting her to lead me because I didn’t want to open my eyes to the glare of the bright summer sun. This childhood memory reminds me of the wisdom Solomon shares in Proverbs 3:5. Solomon promises that if we completely trust the Lord, He will show us which way to go. Solomon is telling us to trust the words from our heavenly Father the same way that children trust their parents, without doubt or reservation.
In this verse, Solomon also cautions that full trust means not depending on your own understanding. As a child, I could have demanded my independence and walked across that parking lot using my own eyes and undeveloped sense of direction. In fact, I’m pretty sure there were other times when I let go of her hand and tried to do it on my own. Most children test boundaries from time to time, seeing that parental hand as a restriction instead of protection.
My mother offered her hand and her guidance because she could see the whole picture. She understood the traffic patterns and rules. She remembered exactly where she parked and knew where we were going. She knew that if I held her hand and walked with her, we’d get there safely. Just like our Heavenly Father, her guidance wasn’t meant to stifle my independence, but to smooth my way.
My friend, there will be times when you’re reading God’s word and something contradicts your understanding or your preferences. God’s word will tell you to forgive when you want to hold a grudge. It will tell you to give when you’d rather pile up your resources. It might tell you to stay when you want to go or to go when you want to stay. It’s in those moments that we have a choice to trust. Choose the peace that comes from holding on to His hand. Embrace the boundaries and laws of God’s Word as a hand to protect you, not to limit you.
Prayer:
Father, help me to fall in love with your law, with the discipline that comes from walking with you. Often I want to run ahead or do things my own way. I fight against your hand even though it’s there to help lead me and to steady me. I can trust you with my future because you’ve already seen it all. I will trust that your Word is there for my good. In Jesus’ name, amen!
Skillwork:
Next time you feel there’s a disconnect between what you want to do and what God’s word calls you to do, examine what thoughts are driving your reaction. Ask God to give you wisdom to see outside your own limited perspective. His word says he will give wisdom to all who ask (James 1:5).
To receive the Faith Workout of the Day every morning, please sign up here.
