In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.

Proverbs 16:9

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. Proverbs 16:9

“You tell me which is more difficult – keeping the planets in orbit or determining our steps?” Did any of you answer this question on page 22? So if it’s easy to trust God with the big things; why do we struggle to trust Him with the little things? I struggle with this because of my issues with control. When I worry or have anxiety over my circumstances, I’m not trusting that God is in control. When I try to problem solve before going to God in prayer, I am not placing my trust in God.

Study Guide Questions:

1. How does Proverbs 16:9 assure you that God has everything under control? What does it say about your plans versus God’s plan?

2. What are some of the “small things” in your kids that you tend to doubt God’s ability to handle?

3. What is one small, practical step of obedience that you could take today to show God that you trust Him in the all things?

As you move through this week, think about how God is orchestrating a divine appointment/encounter for you.  See everything as an opportunity that God is facilitating for you to use your gifts and talents.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, I pray that as each of us move through this week that our schedules would be honoring to you and that the chaos would not overwhelm us preventing us to welcome you into  our schedules.  That we would have time to pause, praise and pray!  That we would see the divine appointments that you are scheduling for us and our hearts would welcome them.  That we would see delays as blessings, interruptions as opportunities and down time as time to rest with you.  Lord, I pray that we don’t complicate this time to pray with you and draw near to you.  Lord, thank you for our families.  Please keep our people safe and allow each of us to be a blessing to those you place in our path.  In your name we pray, Amen

Circle and pray scripture:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Phil. 2: 3–7)

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. (Phil. 14–16).