Have you ever been in a class in school where you started to question what you were learning and why you were learning it? Usually you do that when you want clarity on something or you wonder how the information will benefit you in the future. In the same way, we may go through life thinking why am I going through this situation or why did it have to happen this way? While questioning God, or just life in general, I think a better question may be:
What do you want me to learn from my situation?
This question includes a perspective change. In order to ask this to God, you need to take your focus off of what you see and what you know about the situation, and turn to Him. This question shows that you are surrendering what you think you know or what you want to happen. It brings you back to God by reminding you He is in control, knows what you need, and that He knows how to build your character through the situation. It shows that you are seeking Him when anything comes your way. With God there is always a bigger picture and a higher reasoning for what is going on in your life.
Some of us have probably heard the saying “man plans, God laughs.” I believe that saying was construed from Proverbs 16:9 which says, “the heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps.” I don’t know where they got the laughing from, but I imagine someone had the thought process of God thinking it’s ridiculous that we try to plan things out, since He is the One that has our future. But I would argue He doesn’t think it’s ridiculous. I believe God just reacts as “wow they have no idea that the good I have in store for them is so much better than what they want.” He guides us to what we need and where we need to go to get it.
In Psalm 23 verses 1-3 state, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake.”
Notice how it says “He makes me lie down.” We don’t know what’s best for us. Actually, most of the time we don’t even want to listen to our bodies when it’s saying “you’re tired, go to bed.” I know I struggle with that at times. But see how in those passages it illustrates how He guides, or for these verses, leads us to what is good for us and what we need. We find it all when we stay by His side!
In order for God to lead us and get us to where we need to be, we have to take the steps. Another verse that really stands out to me, besides the verse of God establishing our steps, is also found in Proverbs chapter 20 verse 24 which states, “A man’s steps are from the LORD; how then can man understand His way?” That really puts into perspective how we aren’t meant to know and understand what He is going to do, and that may just be the whole lesson behind it. We have to walk out in faith not knowing every detail, or how it will all pan out, and just trust Him. He wants us to depend on Him and to look to Him in everything. You may struggle with that and think “no I like playing it safe, it works better that way because I’m comfortable and know that I can get it done.” I don’t know about you, but thinking I will get something done on my own can put a lot more pressure on me at times, especially since I never know if my decision is foolproof. But when you put it in the hands of God, and trust Him with it, that weight can be lifted. All you have to do is follow His leading and He always has a foolproof plan. How you may ask? Well let’s look at Isaiah 55:8-9 which says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” That should be so comforting to the human mind that is so limited in what it can figure out and how far in advance it can plan. God is so much bigger and more powerful and chooses to use His abilities to plan out your day and future. He loves you so much that He is in the details. All He wants you to do is grab His hand and go along with Him. In that way, you can enjoy the small and big things that He has planned for you along the way!
So, what does He want you to learn through the situation you may be going through? It may just be as simple as learning to take His hand and trust in Him each step of the way.
