But it takes a new perspective!

Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart,  and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths”

NIV translate vs 6 as: “in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

Hey OTP family! They say if you do what you have always done, you will get what you always gotten. So it makes sense that if you want something different, something  better, something greater, then you will have to do something different. Change is possible. However, to get there, you must change the way you operate. This includes a new perspective, and taking different actions.

They say the definition of insanity is doing the same things but expecting a different outcome. With this in mind, let’s step away from the crazy and take steps toward the change we so desperately need. 

If you are anything like me, you enjoy being in control. Making your own decisions and managing the outcome as best as you can. The problem with this, is our decisions are based on faulty knowledge and experiences. We have a very limited view of our situation, so our solutions to problems only address the portion we can see. There is a certain amount of interpretation of perceived facts that lead to an educated guess. But this is also faulty system because. Our perception is not always based in reality.

However, we serve an omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent God.  He is all knowing, all powerful, and everywhere at the same time. There is nothing hid from him. He is our source. And we should allow him to be our navigator.

He is also faithful. God provides the answer to our current dilemma in Proverbs 3:5-6. We are our own worse enemy when it comes to figuring out what comes next. Why? Because we have reasonable intelligence and access to resources that gives us a false sense of our own ability to get things done. We tend to think we don’t need to depend on God to help us work things out. This is the opposite of faith. 

Faith requires us to forsake everything, and totally depend on and trust in God for everything. This includes relinquishing our decision-making capabilities. Total transparency moment – yes, you will still make decisions. However, now your decisions should be God directed. Yes, God will guide you, but ultimately, you still need to choose to follow the directions he provides.

How does Proverbs 3:5-6 work in real time?

-We must first totally submit ourselves to God.

-Then we must give the situation to God.

-Next, we ask God to direct our path. To show us the way we should go.

-Finally, we listen for the answer. This requires us to develop our spiritual ear to hear what God is saying to us.

We must learn to patiently wait on God. This is not a passive state of waiting. We will continue to do what God has called us to. We will continue to work in ministry. What is key here – to understand we are not desperate! There is always time to wait on the answer from God, and not allow the enemy to trick us into making moves that God has not ordained for us. We will wait on God in praise and worship. This is where we learn to hear God!

Once we have that witness from God in our spirit we know that the path has been made straight. We now have the direction we need. Often times, this is scary because it may seem counterintuitive to what we think is the plan of God for us. But stretch out in faith and make the move that God is propelling you toward. If you follow as he leads, you will have good success. Remember the first part of our scripture text – “Lean not to your own understanding.” You have to trust God and follow as he leads.

I am not saying that this process is easy. It will take daily dedication and practice. But if you remain faithful to the process. Be mindful of the commitment you made to change your MO (method of operation), you will experience the power of Proverbs 3:5-6 in your life.

This is how change is possible. Because it does require us to view things from a new lens. This new lens brings a new perspective and a new way of doing things.

Personal testimony – I have been applying this to my own life and must admit I have less anxiety because of my new perspective. I am very much a work in progress but I have to say that I am enjoying the journey. I can testify that Matthew 11:28-30 is true. 

Have a blessed day,