Am I letting God lead? At first, that can seem like a silly question, but are we? Are we really? Or are we pushing our own will and plans in our own power? Are we acting on our own desires, and then trying to put God’s stamp of approval on it? This is what I’m doing, just give me a thumbs up so I know you are on board too.
How often are we all guilty of this? Only to be upset when the plans crumble and we can’t figure out where God is in the midst of the mess.
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Are We Letting God Lead?
You have so many plans, and the right path, and you know just how you are going to get each step done- and then it all derails, and the results you had hoped are even more elusive than when you started. All of those well-laid plans crumble around you. Have you been here? Exhausted, struggling just to keep your head above the water and wondering what went wrong?
Could it be that in the excitement of planning and dreaming we’ve forgotten to make sure it was God’s plan? Have we rushed ahead in our own power instead of letting God lead? Instead of finding the will of God and letting Him be our Good Shepherd, we like a blind man go our own way stumbling ahead into new seasons with good intentions, but not God’s direction.
God’s Plan Or Our Plan?
So often I see people trying to get God to stamp His seal of approval on their plans, trying to push ahead and implement their plans goals, and dreams instead of letting God lead. Instead of seeking the things God has for them, instead of following God’s leading and making room for a deeper relationship with Him.
Yes, dreams and goals and even plans are a good thing, but not when we are trying to force God into bending to our will. We can’t just put a plan together and expect God to bless it when we didn’t seek His will in the first place.
We need God’s plan not our plan, not the plan we’re trying to call God’s, not the plan we’re trying to pull off in our own power but HIS plan. We can’t expect God to bless the plan that we didn’t even bother to seek His will on. God doesn’t want to be the last resort, but the one you turn to on every step. The one you go to in prayer before you ever start building. We must seek Him and His plan, instead of running after our own ideas and expecting God to follow us.
Maybe the reason we are so exhausted, and nothing will turn out right is because we are trying to push our own plan ahead instead of what God is trying to lead us to. God is the way maker, the one that splits the sea so that you can walk through on the dry ground, and makes the impossible possible, and yet many of us are here kicking at a door that was never meant for us and then frustrated when it won’t open.
Bible Verses On Letting God Lead
We need God’s guidance in every season of our life, we need his unfailing presence, but we have to actually seek God’s presence in the hard times, and before we take that first step towards that plan. We need God’s word in our life to direct and guide us in the way only the word of God can.
Here are some Bible verses on letting God lead:
Proverbs 3:5-6 is a wonderful reminder that we can’t lean on our own understanding, but need to submit to Christ Jesus so that we let God lead in our everyday choices and decisions.
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
This is one of my favorite Bible verses, but it’s often taken out of context. If you go back a few verses you’ll find that the people of Israel whom this verse was originally written are living in captivity and oppression because they rebelled against God and walked away, so God removed his hand of protection over them and allowed them to be taken into captivity. And yet in the midst of that like a good father, God says I know the plan I have. And it’s for hope and a future. God’s love for us really shines through in this verse.
Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand. Proverbs 19:21 NKJV
Proverbs 19:21 Is another wonderful reminder that when we try to act our plans in our own authority we are setting ourselves up for failure, but when we let god lead we stand on solid ground.
The mind of man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps. Proverbs 16:9 NKJV
Proverbs 16:9 is another wonderful reminder that you need to rely on the light of the world to direct all areas of your life.
Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed. Proverbs 16:3 NLT
I’m not sure if Proverbs 16:3 could be any more clear on letting God lead in our life instead of rushing down our own path.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. Isaiah 55:8 NKJV
“I know that You can do all things, And that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. Job 42:2 NIV
Job 42:2 shows us that God’s plans can not be thwarted, they can’t be undone or ruined. I don’t know about you but I would rather chase after the plans and things of God instead of trying to strike out on my own to my own detriment and then paste His approval over the top.
When we let God lead in our life, and let go of control we allow God to lead us into the role He has for us and I promise it’s better than anything we could dream up for ourselves.
Ways To Seek God’s Will And Let God Lead
How do you seek God’s will to make sure that you are following His plan and not your own plans? Here are some ways:
- Spend time in your Bible. Don’t just read it once and move on, study it until it becomes as natural as breathing.
- Pray – pray and keep praying, ask people you know who are believers to join you in praying.
- Find people who are strong Christians who will speak with Godly wisdom into your life.
- Stop pushing it forward in your strength- either God will work it out and open the door or he won’t. In the meantime do the first two things until you get an answer.
Letting God Lead Is Worth It
It can be easy to forget to set our plans before the Lord and surrender our will to His, so instead, we rush ahead in our own power for our “promised land” on our own, but this will only lead to exhaustion and disappointment. We need our heavenly father to loving lead us and direct our steps in God’s way not our own. Wait for Him, and allow God to lead you down the road He has for you.
Letting God lead you is always worth the wait, and even giving up some of your plans. Letting go of our own plans may be the hardest thing you are asked to do in your Christian walk. But letting God lead us into our God-given roles is one of the best decisions we could ever make. Let Him take you into unfamiliar territory and trust it’s the right way.
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