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Pause

It’s all about determination—the decision to accomplish something in spite of all the resistance that wells up inside.

When you want to make a change, when anyone wants to shake things up, there is always “push back.” Moving from old to new, even when everyone agrees it’s a good idea, is hard.

That’s true even for God’s good ideas about transformation, which often encounter resistance. Still, God has a pretty good record when it comes to changing things—and people. Now might be a good time for you to decide it’s time to give in.

Listen

The plans of the mind belong to mortals,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
All one’s ways may be pure in one’s own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the spirit.
Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.

Proverbs 16:1-3

Think

How many times have you planned something and it did not go as expected? Many times we plan things and try as hard as we can, but things do not work out as we wanted or hoped. It could be something as simple as a project or test, or as complicated as a relationship with a loved one. Regardless, when things do not go as we hoped, it’s hard to live in that failure.

But the writer of Proverbs told us that if we do everything we do in the name of God, our plans will work. Maybe not as we expected, hoped, or even imagined, but with our focus and energy on God, things will work out, one way or another. As you make plans today, discern God’s will in your decision-making. That’s a hard task, but with God, all things are possible!

John Ryan

Pray

Lord Jesus, I know that in you all things are possible. It might not be what I wanted or planned for, but help me to realize that if I allow you to lead, and I follow, things will eventually work out. Help me to see you in all situations, both good and bad times. And in those bad times, make your presence even more known to me. Amen.

Go

Every single encounter with God
Holds the promise of
A new direction;
A new perspective;
A change of heart and mind.

Go now resolved that your life will be
Different;
Transformed;
Made over again
By the overwhelming grace of God.