LEAN NOT ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Just the other day I was faced with a decision regarding a product for my business that comes with a hefty price tag. I knew that if God was not in this decision, if I did not seek Him, then most assuredly I would be making a foolish decision that could cost me greatly. So, I immediately took it to the Lord in prayer and while I awaited a response, I continued to research this product and get excited about the potential, the possibilities that this one product could bring. In fact, I got so excited that I almost clicked on the purchase button at least three times. What kept me from purchasing that product was my Bible; I kept seeing it there sitting on my desk. Every time I got a glimpse of that Bible, I got that check in my spirit to seek God’s will in God’s word. Yet, I found myself resisting, an unfortunate but common response for my rebellious self. I wanted this product; I wanted it bad and while I truly wanted to do God’s will in my heart, my flesh was not willing to wait to hear from the Lord. So, I continued to resist opening that Bible on my desk for fear that I might just hear God’s answer and it just might be “NO.” While I resisted, I found myself reasoning not with God, but myself. My flesh came up with some really great, logical reasons why I should purchase this product. I had pretty much convinced myself that I “needed” this product; I just had to figure out where the money was going to come from. This was going to require some thought.

The next morning, I had it all figured out; I knew exactly what I could do to finagle my finances to get what I had now convinced myself I needed and while I would be going further into debt, it would all pay off when I got the results promised. However, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to click that purchase button until that evening. In the meantime, I finally opened that Bible on my desk and the funny thing is…I already knew God’s answer even before I began to read His word; as if the scales from my eyes had been removed and my ears had been opened by simply opening the Bible. My “worst fear,” that answer that I was trying so desperately to avoid was confirmed in God’s word. I knew God’s will and I would not be finagling my finances that evening to buy that much “needed” product…the answer was “NO.” It ‘s weird, at that moment I stopped resisting and when I did, I found that peace that can only come from God; a true knowing of the direction and path the Lord intended for me.

When we rely on our own understanding, we are putting our faith and our trust in our flesh which is flawed and sinful by nature. The Lord, however, is not flawed and sinful, but good, righteous and sovereign. When we trust in Him, He will direct our paths perfectly. It’s true, we may not understand His reasons or His ways, but we can rest assured that His will is perfect and His path is straight.

COACH’S CALL TO ACTION

• In what area of your life are you putting your faith and trust in your flesh, leaning on your own understanding?
  
• What would it look like to trust in the LORD with all your heart, to acknowledge Him in all your ways?
  
• How will you put your trust in the One that perfectly directs your paths today?
  
  
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