Devotional Scripture
“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)
Devotional
Do you feel terrible when you’re doing the “right thing?” Or maybe just easier to walk away from situations that make you feel uncomfortable? Every time I am faced with a situation where I have to choose to do what is right, I find myself doing the opposite. Or choosing to back out of things all together. I might even make an excuse why I cannot go through with the process. Someone once told me that you know it’s right when it makes you feel uncomfortable, when it pushes you to do or start something, you’re not sure about. For instance, you’re in a committed relationship with someone you’ve been with for years. Every time you pray about it you feel like you’re being led to leave the relationship. But leaving doesn’t make you feel good at all, you wonder if maybe this is as good as it gets. Or maybe if giving it more time will change things. In your head you’ve built a life with kids, the perfect house, and the cute little dog that comes with it. Things aren’t great, you know it. But, just maybe the voice in your head is wrong this time. Or you’re in a situation where you have to make a decision to leave one job for another, in a secular world everything is great. You love the people you work with; you are making a great living and your peers love you. But God tells you it’s time for you to move into a place that’s not so luxurious. Whatever the situation is it makes you uncomfortable. What’s even worse is after doing the “right thing” you feel like you’ve made the wrong decision, so you start to question every other decision. We’ve become complacent where we are, and our feelings have become the driving force that tells us what direction to go in. Mostly because we lack the ability to see the future. So, if it feels good then this may be what I need to do. Like many of you reading this, we all believe that God is Omnipresent, All- knowing, the great Architect of the world. He is the God who stands outside of time and leads us into a future where He will receive glory. If all these things are the truth, then what is it that causes us to fear the unknown? It could be a number of things such as: lack of trust, your desire to have control, and lastly this misconception that maybe God does not want what’s best for us. Maybe He doesn’t know what you need. Whatever feelings you’re having that causes you to doubt we know one thing is true, if you woke up this morning and you’re alive and breathing, you have indeed seen Gods Faithfulness. His Goodness. The scripture above shows us that though your feelings are real, it does not determine God’s faithfulness. Though you have limited understanding, God has all understanding. God says when you were in your mother’s womb, before you were formed, He knew you, He called you by name. and “He consecrated you; He appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5) It reminds me that even before my parents called me by my name, even before they had any idea of who I would become, God made a determination. He made a decision that I would be who I am. So, when I am faced with decisions that are hard and those doubt try to force me into a place of submission– I search for what is true. Having faith isn’t about knowing the plan or knowing what God will do next. It’s not our job to figure out how, when, or what. Since we know in all things God will receive the glory, you should know whatever decision you have to make today God is the Divine Being who is moving in it before you. Instead of submitting to your feelings, let today be the day you choose to submit to God. The one who stand with you, behind you, and in front of you. The God who will make your path straight.
Contributed by – Shani Ford
In the midst of my pain I found a God who fiercely sought after me. In 2017 I was in a broken place lost, living without purpose, and wanting to be found. Through the love of God I was able to find a peace that would change a rebel into a righteous women. I am from California, but currently living in Chicago, Illinois. Now walking a path to help change people perspectives on what it means to walk in God’s grace. I believe since I was able to find happiness, and true joy that everyone I encounter should and can find it too. Through The Sanctuary I have been able to grow in my walk while pursing the life that God has called me to.