RESTING IN HIS PLAN

Finding Peace When Life Doesn't Make Sense

Isaiah 25:1 (NLT)

O Lord, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Ephesians 4:7 (NLT)

However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ.

Psalm 4:8 (NLT)

In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe.

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RESTING IN HIS PLAN

Good morning, friends!

Well, I am a little late getting started this morning. Ross and I made another trip to the hospital in Millinocket because he is still hurting, his right leg is swollen, and walking has become very difficult. He just wants some answers and a little relief.

So far, we have made two trips to the doctor, one trip to the hospital for X-rays, and now another trip to the ER. Needless to say, this isn't how we planned to spend our time!

Funny thing, though, this time last year, we were right here, too. We arrived around 9 a.m., and by 5 p.m., Ross was headed south to a bigger hospital for emergency surgery. So, while we certainly aren't enjoying the experience, we are at least familiar with the process.

His regular doctor has already arranged for physical therapy to begin December 1. Lord, I sure hope he doesn't have to hurt that long!

Hopefully, by Monday, I'll have some better news to share.

And that brings me to today's devotion.

I believe every life has its share of trials and storms. Some people seem to experience only a few really difficult seasons. Perhaps they lose a loved one, experience an accident, suffer a house fire, or face a significant financial loss.

Then there are those of us who seem to go from one challenge to another. I sometimes wonder what people must think when they look at our lives. Do they wonder what in the world is going on with us? Do they feel sorry for us? Or do they simply shake their heads and wonder how we keep going?

Ross and I have certainly had our share of storms. We have experienced seasons when we didn't know where we would sleep, how we would pay our bills, or what the next day would bring. We have faced health issues, financial struggles, and circumstances that left us wondering what God was doing.

And yet, here we are.

Still standing. Still serving. Still loving God. Still believing that He isn't finished with us yet!

Does that mean we never get discouraged? Of course not! We are human, after all. Sometimes we get tired, frustrated, and downright weary of dealing with one more thing.

But through it all, we are learning that resting in God's plan doesn't mean we understand everything that is happening. It means we trust the One who does.

Let's sit at our table for a few minutes and talk about that.

1. LOOK BACK AT HIS FAITHFULNESS

Isaiah 25:1 reminds us that God has done wonderful things and that His plans are not something He just dreamed up yesterday.

When we are facing uncertainty, it helps to look back over our lives and remember where God has brought us from.

Think about it for a moment.

Have you ever been through something that seemed impossible at the time? Perhaps you couldn't see a way out, didn't know how you would make ends meet, or wondered whether you had the strength to take another step.

And yet, somehow, you made it through.

Maybe the situation didn't work out the way you expected. Maybe the answer came much later than you wanted. Perhaps God provided in a way you never would have imagined.

But when you look back, can you see moments when He carried you?

The Hebrew word bāṭaḥ means to trust, to feel secure, or to rely upon someone. It gives us a beautiful picture of what it means to put our confidence in God.

We aren't trusting because we have all the answers. We are trusting because we know the character of the One who holds our future.

Ross and I have learned that lesson more than once. Looking back, we can see God's faithfulness in places where, at the time, all we could see was trouble.

And that gives us hope for today.

We don't know exactly what the doctors will discover, but we know we don't have to face the uncertainty alone.

Sometimes, remembering yesterday's faithfulness is exactly what we need to face today's fear.

2. LET GO OF THE NEED TO KNOW EVERYTHING

Proverbs 3:5-6 is one of those passages that sounds simple until life gets complicated.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding."

Well, there's the hard part!

We like answers. We want explanations. We want to know why something is happening, how long it will last, and what we can do to fix it.

I know I do!

When Ross is hurting, I want answers now. When bills pile up, I want to know how they will get paid. When life throws us another curveball, I want to understand what is happening and what comes next.

But God doesn't always give us the whole picture.

Sometimes He gives us just enough light for the next step.

The Hebrew word bînâh means understanding, discernment, or the ability to make sense of something.

God isn't telling us to stop thinking, stop asking questions, or ignore practical matters. He is reminding us that our understanding has limits, while His does not.

We can seek medical help, ask questions, make plans, and do everything we reasonably can while still trusting Him with what we cannot control.

Faith isn't pretending everything is fine when it isn't.

Faith is saying, "Lord, I don't understand this, but I am going to keep walking with You."

Sometimes that walk takes us through a hospital waiting room. Sometimes it takes us through financial struggles or difficult family situations. Sometimes it simply means getting out of bed, doing what needs to be done, and trusting God with the rest.

We don't need to see the entire staircase to take the next step.

We just need to keep our eyes on the One who leads us.

3. LEAN INTO THE GRACE GOD HAS GIVEN YOU

Ephesians 4:7 reminds us that Christ has generously given each of us a special gift.

God doesn't make us all alike. He gives us different abilities, different opportunities, and different ways to serve Him.

Some people preach from a pulpit. Others teach children, prepare meals, visit the sick, encourage a struggling friend, or quietly help someone who needs a hand.

Some serve in ways that hundreds of people see. Others serve in ways that only God may ever fully know.

But every act of love matters.

Ross and I have found that serving God doesn't require us to have perfect lives. We don't need to have every problem solved before we can encourage someone else.

We can be tired and still offer kindness. We can have unanswered questions and still share hope. We can be walking through a storm and still remind someone else that God is faithful.

The Greek word charis means grace, favor, or a gift freely given.

Grace isn't something we earn by having our lives together. It is God's generous gift to us.

And sometimes, that grace looks like the strength to face another appointment, the patience to wait for answers, or the ability to pray when we don't know what else to do.

We may not feel strong every day, but we don't have to manufacture our own strength.

We can ask God to help us through the day we are actually living, rather than worrying about every day that might come.

Friend, you don't have to be someone else to serve God well. You don't have to compare your life with the person next door.

You simply need to offer Him what you have, right where you are.

4. CLOSE YOUR EYES AND REST IN HIS CARE

Psalm 4:8 says:

"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, O Lord, will keep me safe."

Now, that sounds wonderful, doesn't it?

But let's be honest. Sometimes getting a good night's sleep is easier said than done.

Our minds start running. We replay conversations, worry about tomorrow, calculate bills, think about our loved ones, and try to solve problems that may not even have answers yet.

Before we know it, we are exhausted from carrying tomorrow's worries into today's already-full schedule.

But the peace God offers isn't dependent on everything around us being peaceful.

It doesn't require a perfect bank account, a flawless medical report, or a life without trouble.

The Hebrew word shalom means peace, wholeness, well-being, and completeness.

God's peace reaches deeper than simply having a quiet day. It reminds us that even when our circumstances are unsettled, we can bring our hearts to Him.

That doesn't mean we ignore our problems. It means we don't have to carry them alone.

We can do what needs to be done today and leave tomorrow in God's hands.

We can pray for healing while accepting the help of doctors. We can pray for provision while working through our finances. We can ask God for direction while taking the practical steps in front of us.

And when the day is done, we can remind ourselves that we are not responsible for controlling every outcome.

God is still God when we are awake, and He is still God when we close our eyes.

SO, WHAT DOES RESTING IN HIS PLAN LOOK LIKE?

For Ross and me, it looks like taking things one day at a time.

It means showing up for appointments, asking questions, caring for one another, and continuing to serve God when we are able.

It means acknowledging that we are tired without deciding that we are defeated.

It means praying for healing without pretending we know how or when the answer will come.

And it means remembering that our circumstances do not get to determine whether God is faithful.

We may not understand the reason for every storm, but we can still trust the One who walks beside us through it.

Maybe you are facing a health issue today. Perhaps you are worried about a family member, struggling financially, dealing with grief, or simply feeling worn down by the demands of everyday life.

Whatever your circumstances, I want you to remember something.

You do not have to figure out your entire life today.

Take a breath.

Talk to God.

Do the next thing that needs doing.

Accept help when you need it.

And remember where He has brought you from.

God sees you. God hears your prayers. And you can continue to seek His guidance even when the answers haven't arrived.

Resting in His plan doesn't mean we stop moving forward.

It means we stop believing we must carry the entire weight of the future on our own shoulders.

So, today, let's choose trust over panic, prayer over despair, and faith over the need to understand everything.

And if all you can manage today is one small step, take that step with God.

He is still faithful.

He is still working.

And He is not finished with us yet!

A LITTLE SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

Before you go about your day, take a few minutes to consider these questions:

1. When you look back over your life, where can you see God's faithfulness, even in the middle of difficult circumstances?

2. Is there something you are trying desperately to control that you need to place in God's hands today?

3. What is one small, practical step you can take today while trusting God with the outcome?

You don't need to have all the answers. Just be honest with God.

And if you have a moment, write down one thing He has brought you through. On the days when your faith feels tired, that reminder may be just what you need.

Let's keep trusting, friends. One day, one prayer, and one step at a time.

A PRAYER FOR TODAY

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being faithful through every season of our lives. Thank You for the times You have carried us, provided for us, comforted us, and given us strength when we felt we had none left.

Lord, today we bring You our worries, our unanswered questions, and the situations we cannot control.

You know what each person reading this devotion is facing. You know the fears they don't speak aloud, the burdens they carry, and the answers they are waiting for.

Please give us the wisdom to know what to do, the courage to take the next step, and the patience to wait when we cannot move forward yet.

Father, I especially lift up Ross today. You know his pain, his swelling, his difficulty walking, and our desire for answers and relief. Please guide the medical team, help them determine what is happening, and provide the appropriate treatment. Give Ross comfort and strength, and help us both through this uncertain time.

Please remind us that trusting You doesn't mean we will never feel afraid or discouraged. It means we can bring those feelings to You and find help for the road ahead.

Teach us to remember Your faithfulness, receive Your grace, and rest in Your peace.

Help us serve You with whatever strength and gifts You have given us today. Let our lives encourage someone else who may be struggling.

We place our present circumstances and our future into Your loving hands.

In the precious name of Jesus, we pray.

Amen.

THE LORD'S PRAYER (KJV)

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.

Amen.

BELIEVE, OBEY, BE BLESSED AMEN BOBBA ❤️