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Ants have been known to ruin a picnic or two, but recently they messed up my beach time and flustered my heart.
Yeah. I know. God made ants to live on the earth and we have to share space. But I just wasn’t prepared for my first afternoon away from home to be altered by the annoyance of their small yet mighty presence.
I’d really been looking forward to vacation and wanted to relax. To sit by the shoreline, chill out, and soak in the sun with my people. I wanted to enjoy the presence of God in the glory of His creation, not flick uninvited ants away from my towel and off my legs.
No rest was happening because it seemed that all of the ants in America had arranged a massive dance party on the East Coast and had failed to inform me ahead of time.
I had to leave.
The ants didn’t want me to join their beach party and I didn’t want to be there. I walked away disappointed and threw a little tantrum in my head. Why should I have to leave? I’m the human here! Ants are supposed to hang out in the dirt, not the sand!
I adjusted my plans and went to the pool instead.
There are times in life when things don’t work out as planned. Times when our expectations go unmet and we have to move on or make major adjustments.
You might feel like you’re spinning your wheels in a relationship right now. Maybe you haven’t moved on from something because you don’t like to quit, even though your time and energy might be more effectively spent elsewhere.
I don’t know the particulars of your unmet expectations and beach-ant frustrations, but God does. Even if you haven’t talked with Him about them yet.
And you’re not alone. We all have to wade through cloudy waters at times.
The Apostle Paul continually found himself in situations that were uncomfortable and frustrating. He was re-routed many times as he was rejected, thrown out of towns, beaten, and jailed. The Lord kept him from going to certain areas and led him in his journeys. (Acts 16:6) Through it all, Paul yielded his days to God’s leading. And that’s what I want to do.
We can’t change hearts or make people do what we want them to do.
Yes, God may have called you to a ministry, a person’s life, etc. for a season of time, but that doesn’t mean you will stay on that beach forever. Proverbs 19:21 says, “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.”
So how can we know when to stay and when to go?
How can we know whether we should say yes or no to that opportunity?
How can we know when our uncomfortable situation is to refine us, to rebuke us or to re-route us?
There’s no simple answer, but there is a simple action: PRAY. Christians don’t have a crystal ball that shows us our future, but we do have access to God who delights to inform and lead His children.
Ask God for direction.
Be still before Him and listen.
Be faithful to go where He leads… even if it means that you need to change your plans, your attitude, your location or vocation.
Dear God,
Please forgive me for the times when I am stubborn and unmovable. I want to go where You lead. Please direct my steps and help me to know what to do next about _______________ .
In Jesus’ name, amen.
FOR YOUR REFLECTION and RESPONSE
Proverbs 11: 14 says, “Where there is no guidance the people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is victory.” Are you applying this principle in your life? What godly people do you go to when you need advice and prayer?
It’s such a JOY doing life with you. Truly. I just LOVE this community. ❤️
Grace and Peace,
GWEN
🌸 C’mon! Let’s GROW TOGETHER! 🌸
I’m hosting a FREE online Bible Study, a PSALM ADVENTURE, beginning September 9th. We’ve gotten countless messages asking how you can know what God says about forgiveness, healing, fear, depression, finances, relationships and hope. You want to know and trust God more, and learn how to connect your personal struggles to His promises.
That’s exactly what we’re going to explore in our PSALM ADVENTURE because we’re going right to the source of all grace and truth: the Bible. Join Gwen for this four-week study. LEARN MORE and REGISTER TODAY by visiting GwenSmith.net/PsalmAdventure.
UPCOMING EVENTS
North Carolina (Greensboro) / Sept 8 / Women’s Conf / MORE INFO
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Comments 8
Thank you so much for this devotional! I’m going through a difficult time, especially in my marriage, and this helped me. God is showing and teaching me how to let go of things that’s not in my control, even in my marriage, but the way to let go by letting HIM take full control while trusting and keeping the promises He gave me regardless how it looks cause He WILL renew all that’s been broken into more that I could ever imagine….again thank you, I really needed this! What an awesome Daddy we have! (Exodus 14:14…a promise from ABBA to HIS sons and daughters…..don’t give up brothers and sisters!)
Gwen
For the last 2 days I have been worrying about my divorce settlement offer. I haven’t got one yet. I’ve been wondering about letting go or staying married. I think or I should say I know God is saying let go.
God pointed me to read this at this time and this hour. After 10 years on my job i feel uncomfortable. I am in a Prayer Community and doing a women’s bible study. I can’t afford to stop working. Is God pointing me in another direction? Please pray for me to listen to His voice and to go where He leads me. When i was down and out financially, He placed me there. I do not want to make a wrong decision. Please keep me in prayer.
Patricia
Author
Praying for you now!
I have a poem that I wrote called My Mother Mary & I am very interested in getting it copyrighted and published. It is a pretty long, ballad-type poem which is actually quite good and is Biblical, as in it correctly correlates with Scripture throughout the entire poem. I am definitely an amateur but know in my heart that this is a gift from God and it is meant to be shared with others. Do you have any advice for me and how can I share my poem with you?
I love ants. They teach us some valuable lessons. Thanks for another spin on “Considering the ants….”.
I love your devotions and your ministry , I desperately need the lord in my life and need to hear his voice, thank you for all the encouragement.
Cammy
Author
I’m so glad I could be an encouragement to you!!