Be Still – God’s Timeline vs. Ours

Hey y’all!

I’m so glad you’re here! I have prayed for you and I hope God uses these words to spark something within you!

Let’s be real. I’m always real with you, but let’s be real about what I am struggling with RIGHT NOW, not some of the things I have overcome! Let’s talk about patience, being still, and being content along the journey instead of focusing on the destination. Mind you, this is the destination that we have created in our own head not necessarily God’s destination for us.

We all (well I assume we all do) create this sort of timeline in our head for how we want our lives to look. Even in interviews we are asked about our “five-year plan.” So, I have these ideas and plans in my head about college, career, marriage, kids, etc. What happens when things don’t work out quite like we thought they would? What happens if they’re just not happening fast enough or in the order that we planned for them to? This is the time that God is calling us to BE STILL.

Psalm 46:10 (NIV) says: Be still and know that I am God…”

Take note here. That says BE STILL. It doesn’t say: Be anxious. Be angry. Be disappointed. It simply says, “be still.” So, chill out. Let go and let God.

This is exceptionally hard for me because the only time I’m “still” is if I am asleep (which is frequently because I love naps). Nonetheless, God is calling us to be still and to turn the situation over to Him. Because His plan? It was never the same as your plan. His plan is THE plan, might as well learn to roll with it.

Isaiah 48:17 (NIV) says: “…I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, and directs you in the way you should go.”

So, He teaches us what is best and then He points us in the right direction. That should be easy right? But, sometimes, our silly selves just have to be taught the hard way to “lean not on your own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5). And you know what? Sometimes the hard way involves falling right on our faces. But guess what. God picks us up and points us in HIS direction. Guys, this requires prayer and abiding in His word. You cannot expect to get answers when you aren’t listening. The longer you wait to ask for His help the longer you’re going to be on your face, in the dirt, probably throwing a hissy fit. But the beautiful part? The help IS there! We just have to ask for it!

Isaiah 48:18 (NIV) goes on to say: “If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea.”

Ouch, right? IF ONLY YOU HAD PAID ATTENTION. This is a reminder that not only does He has a plan but He rewards us when we surrender ourselves TO His plan. Peace like a river sounds like a pretty awesome reward to me.

Now onto, being content along the journey and being patient. Here’s the funny part about this, after you have learned how to be still, those other things come naturally. When you truly become still in God’s plan and let Him use you, it becomes so much easier to be content with waiting for His plan to unfold.

Every single day God reminds me to be still. Because I am a PLANNER and I am ready to bring my dreams and my plans to life but guess what. It isn’t time. God’s timeline isn’t the same as mine and He has my best interest in mind. Yet sometimes, it is so hard for me to sit back and enjoy the ride.

When I am feeling extremely anxious about situations these are some verses and passages I find comfort in:

Psalm 23

Philippians 4:6-7

Proverbs 16:3-4

James 1:2-4

Joshua 1:9

Deuteronomy 31:8

It is so important and helpful to utilize the internet in your bible study. If you are feeling anxious or discouraged give it a google or Pinterest search and it is very easy to be pointed in the direction of comfort through God’s word! But most of all, utilize the fact that God has given you the ability to talk to him about anything at any time. Use that lifeline of prayer!

I can’t fathom the type of love it takes to not only listen to all the things I offer up in prayer but to listen to EVERY prayer sent up from all over the world. God’s love is so pure that my little brain can’t even begin to understand it. But boy, am I thankful for it.

Thank you for reading! Let God guide you through your plans and decision making it will open doors in your life you never thought possible! You can even find “peace like a river.” I love you dearly and remember that I would love to pray for any specific needs that you might have or maybe you just need someone to talk to! please email me at:

yourpathwaytopurpose@gmail.com

 

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