“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 direct your paths. Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn your back on evil. Then you will gain renewed health and vitality.” Proverbs 3:5-8 (NLT)
The skier failed to negotiate a curve in the trail and crashed into a tree. He was carried from the slopes with bruises, lacerations, and some broken bones. A few days later, he walked out of the hospital on crutches, which he continued to use for several weeks. It took great effort for him to walk up hills or climb stairs. He discovered early on that the crutch-walk was strenuous, painful and exhausted him.
This unfortunate man’s experience gives us an excellent example of relying upon one’s own understanding. Life’s multifaceted wandering is like the ski trail. Just when we think we have everything under control, a curve appears, which is too sharp for us to negotiate successfully alone. Too many times we end up with bruised, broken and scarred lives as a result. Our understanding is the crutch. Trying to make sense of our circumstances through human ingenuity can drain us both physically and spiritually. It seems that we face a steeper hill or staircase every way we turn. Since we can’t figure things out, we begin to panic and fear increases our frenzy for understanding. The situation is ripe for pills and psychiatry.
Let us stop and calmly assess our path. Is our path free from confusion? Does it produce only exhaustion and depression? Does it drive us nuts? Let’s refuse to allow it to control us. Instead, let’s decide to trust in the Lord, despite the circumstances, despite our comprehension, and despite the curves of life. Trust in the Lord! It works.
Dear Father, I praise you for your knowledge of all things. You know what our days will be like before we awake in the morning. O, Lord, increase our faith so that we may totally trust in your control. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be encouraged today in God’s loving care,