“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NIV);
Planning the Steps
Do you ponder your actions five, ten, or twenty yearly periods hence? Are you a person who maps out life and follows the planned route? My recent neighborhood walk prompted reflection upon my previous steps in life. Early in my life, everything went as planned, but along the way, things changed and I traveled down roads I never expected.
The above verse from the Old Testament encourages people to trust in God’s sovereignty, acknowledging that while we can make our own plans, it is God who establishes and directs the path for our lives. When we allow Him to direct us, amazing things can happen.
Lessons from the Valley
The change for me started in 1993 with the devastating loss of our infant son. Many of my life plans died with him. In the fog of loss, I could no longer find the path forward. I turned to God to lead me one step at a time because I did not know what to do. God guided me through the darkness, and one day I emerged a different person.
The unfamiliar path initially frightened me because of the doubt concerning divine purpose. I knew God walked with me during the trials, and He would continue to walk with me on the alternative paths He planned to take me down.
Keys to Following Christ’s Plan
The key things I learned as I allowed God to direct my steps are:
- Acknowledge God’s control: God’s will is supreme, and His plans are not to be overridden by human ambition.
- Trust in divine guidance: despite our planning, unexpected setbacks should not dismay us, as God is actively guiding our lives.
- Humility and flexibility: A wise person recognizes their dependence on God and remains open to His direction, understanding that His ways are perfect.
- Prayer and seeking wisdom: The Bible encourages believers to commit their plans to the Lord, seeking His wisdom and direction for success.
Free Will vs. Established Steps
God gives us free will, and we can choose to follow His plans or turn away from them. When we choose God, we trust our lives to His guidance, and it allows God to direct our steps onto His preordained path., we can still choose to abandon that path. God will take control of our lives if we ask Him to, but it is our choice to allow it.
His steps lead to the Good Path
I’ve tried my best to allow God to direct my steps for over thirty years now. During those years, God directed my steps to the short-term mission field, to blogging, and to writing. This year marks the tenth year of my blog, and in September I published my 600th blog message. Also during that time, God guided me to publish nine Christian-themed books that won many awards. My journey is not finished. Just as God guided me to writing and ministry, He has a unique path for you. No matter your circumstances, He will use your surrendered steps for His glory.
Letting God direct our life leads to inner peace, increased trust in God, and fulfillment of God’s intended purpose and potential in our life. This surrender of control allows believers to find strength in struggles, gain confidence in God’s faithfulness, and experience God-created outcomes. A life aligned with God’s will, rather than one solely based on personal plans, leads to a better pathway.
Six Ways to Let God Guide Your Steps
- Pray for wisdom and guidance.
- Trust God’s word found in the Bible.
- Seek guidance from other Christians.
- Submit to His will.
- Act on faith, not fear.
- Acknowledge God in all ways.
Summary
We can plan and set goals, but we should hold those plans with an open hand, ready to surrender them to God’s guidance. We can choose and set our own goals, but God is ultimately in charge, guiding the course of our lives. God’s guidance is purposeful and deliberate. He can see the hidden pitfalls, opportunities, and advantages, ensuring his plans are always more effective than ours.
When we release control and let God establish our steps, we discover peace that surpasses understanding. Our journeys may take unexpected turns, but in His hands, they lead to life, purpose, and joy. Today, let’s surrender our plans and walk confidently in His direction.
Prayer for Guiding Our Steps
Heavenly Father, I place my plans and dreams in Your hands. Guide my steps and help me walk in faith, not fear. When I face the unknown, remind me of Your faithfulness. May each step I take bring me closer to Your perfect will. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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Yvonne this post is golden. You gave Biblical truth to embrace in real life (especially irreversible) changes-when dreams and plans die with an incident or people in our lives.
Thanks Marilyn. God must be God in our lives always. God bless
Trust and humility … both things I need to work on in order to let God fully direct my path.
It can be challenging but once you do, life gets better. Blessings Priscilla
We must rely on God’s plan for our lives. When in doubt, we can go to God in prayer and seek answers. 🙂 Have a blessed day!
So very true and praying helps us connect deeper too. Thanks Melissa and blessings to you
So good. Sometimes when I’m doubting or feeling low, I just remind myself to press on and trust that God will make a way. I loved what you said: Acknowledge God’s control. Trust in divine guidance. Have humility and flexibility. Pray and seek wisdom.
Thank you Jessica. From my experience, pressing on with Christ is the best answer. Blessings
Yvonne, in your sorrow, God gave love and comfort, but He has also gifted you with wisdom that you share with your readers. Thank you for this message of faith and hope. Your keys to following God are especially helpful to a new Christian AND those of us who are nearing the fourth quarter. Peace and blessings.
Thanks Katherine. And we can share hope and love in the 4th quarter of life 😊. God bless
Yvonne, when sorrow and loss knock us off balance we have to examine what we’ve built our hope on. Not fun, but those times can help us put both feet on the Rock. Thanks for sharing your journey.
Thanks Debbie. I highly recommend standing on the Rock. He got me through it all. God bless.
Yvonne, I came to Christ at 16, and I remember teaching on Proverbs 16:9 early on in my youth group. At the time, I didn’t fully understand God’s sovereignty and how He determines our steps and paths in life. But now, I look back and see how God’s divine plans paved the way on my Christian journey in ministry.
Amen Karen. Age does give us a different perspective as we look back and see all the ways God directed our lives. Thank you and God bless.
Yvonne, this is such a powerful teaching and testimony. Thank you for sharing the heartbreaking loss of your son and how God brought you through one tear at a time. We need these messages of how Christians made it, walking through seasons of sorrow and difficulty. Thank you for leading the way toward Christ.
Thank you Melissa. God gives us events in life to help us share them to lead them to Christ. God bless