If we truly trust in the Lord, we cannot also depend upon our own ability to understand everything God is doing.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6
However, most of us have a desperate desire to understand.
And yet in so many areas, we must acknowledge we cannot always understand. It’s often frustrating and sometimes downright infuriating.
So, what can we do when we doubt God’s perfect will in our lives?
The tension that we feel from our limited understanding (which leads to doubting God’s will) can be eased by a further look into Scripture.
Here are a few reasons we cannot lean on our own understanding but can rest in God’s:
We don’t have a clear picture, but God does.
“For now, we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)
God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9 )
Our limited understanding can lead us astray.
“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death.” (Proverbs 16:25)
Choosing to follow our own desires often leads to disaster.
“In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” (Judges 21:25)
God’s definition of right and wrong never change.
“God is not human, that He should lie, not a human being, that He should change his mind. Does He speak and then not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19)
Question for Reflection
Is there something going on in your life now where you have been leaning on your own understanding?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below.
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I think at some time I have been guilty of all those – especially the one about chasing my own desires. That left me so empty. It wasn’t until I turned it ALL over to God that my life changed in a direction I never thought . I was my own stumbling block.
Good and Biblical lessons.
Del
Del, you make such a great point about being our own stumbling block. Thanks for your insight, my friend.
This is a lesson that I’ve had to learn the hard way, Beckie, but learn it, I have. Submitting to God’s will and His ways day by day by day leads to abundant life and keeps us on the straight and narrow. Great post, my friend!
Blessings!
Martha, me too! Leaning on the truth of Scripture, has made a huge difference. Blessings back to you and yours!
I can definitely confess that I catch myself impulsively leaning on my own understanding rather than taking the time to pray adequately about the path I am taking. Thank you, Beckie, for your thoughtful reminders and supporting scripture to help me on my journey.
Beckie, the verses you chose are so affirming. I tend to trust myself too much about priorities and time use. I’m learning to trust God more in these areas. Thanks for these reminders.
Gigijacks, Thanks for taking the time to let me know these reminders were helpful. I certainly can relate to trusting myself with my use of time. God bless!
Amen-Amein Sister in Christ Jesus-Yeshua Beckie!!
We all learn from our ONE TRUE GOD THE FATHER who art in Heaven Above and HIS SON Christ-MESSIAH Jesus-Yeshua and HIS HOLY GHOST ( HOLY SPIRIT )!!
Our ONE True GOD’S LOVE 💜💕 is ETERNAL THROUGH HIS SON Christ-MESSIAH Jesus-Yeshua for Today and Everyday Forevermore Everyone!!
I Love you all Everyone through Christ-MESSIAH Jesus-Yeshua, because HE LOVED 💕💜 EVERYONE FIRST!!
Love 💕 Always and Shalom ( Peace ), YSIC \o/
Kristi Ann
Thanks for sharing these beautiful truths, Kristi Ann! Blessings to you, dear sister.
The Isaiah verse is one I go to when I start thinking I should understand everything God is doing. Also Romans 11:33, which talks about God’s judgments being unsearchable. We can’t follow His train of logic, so we have to trust that it’s right. Easier said than done.
Carole, Yes, easier said than done. Thanks for sharing the Romans verse.
Blessings, my friend.