God “worketh all things after the counsel of His own will…” (Ephesians 1:11)
God is in control. He rules everything. He is sovereign. He does what He wants, when He wants, and how He wants, using any person or thing He wants, for the purpose He wants. God doesn’t have to explain Himself to us. Why should He? We don’t have the minds to understand His thinking! Our job is to trust and follow God, and to love Him with our whole hearts. We are to worship and praise Him, for He is our creator.
On an intellectual level, I know all of this. I look to God to lead me and I do praise him daily. However, I must confess that in times of trouble, God has bruised ribs because I (more often than I want to admit!) elbow him in an attempt to knock him off of the throne so I can be in charge. Do you do that too?
When I suffered with my brain injury, I struggled to let go and let God. I wanted recovery my way and in my time frame. I had a hard time trusting that God was even there, let alone in control. I poked and prodded Him constantly. Thankfully, He was a good sport about it and went about being His wonderful, loving, compassionate self!.
When we want to elbow God in the ribs, it is good to remember to go for help by reading God’s word. “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). There we can be comforted by learning that God is indeed in control and no matter how frightening our trials and tribulations, God is using them for ultimate good for His purpose. We may never see or fully understand how they are being used now, but God promises “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter” (John 13:7) One day it will all make sense.
Instead of elbowing God in the ribs in an attempt to be in control, we can do what James suggested: “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:8). Let God be in charge. Draw close to Him, especially in times of trouble. Trust that all is working to good. (Romans 8:28)
F.R.O.G. Practice: Today let God be in charge. Trust that your entire life is in His hands. Draw nearer to Him and feel His presence.
