If Only…

“A person may plan his path, but Adonai directs his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9 CJB

I’m sure that at some point in your life, if not now and especially in these hard times you’ve walked down the “IF ONLY” road. If only I have this new job because it pays better. If only I could change this one thing in my body. If only I could also get married. If only I had children. If only I had a house and/or car. If only I could relocate to another country. If only I could get rid of this difficult person in my life. If only I could cut them off and never have to interact with them again. The list goes on and on…

In many instances we tend to blame our inability to handle these situations on external parties. This could be either because we can’t figure out a solution to the situation or because we refuse to take responsibility for our own actions and inactions. We are so fast to tag another person as the enemy, especially if we can’t have our way with or around them. Our walls go up as soon as we find ourselves in a place of disadvantage regarding a situation we might have assumed was under our control. Just because you have to share your spotlight doesn’t mean the other party will tip you over or overshadow you. Taking this posture we oftentimes end up self-sabotaging and losing out on the potential benefits from the good seeds of hard-work/dedication/commitment we might have sown early on.

“But I tell you, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!” – Matthew 5:44 CJB

The above scripture can be considered a Biblical mandate which separates us from the world. You need to pause and ask yourself, “Why am I acting this way? Why do I feel so offended? Why can’t I show this person compassion/empathy but rather treat them like the enemy? Could it be that I’m just being a difficult person?” After all this reflection, go on to say a prayer.

Anything is a blessing if it causes us to pray.
Charles Spurgeon.

Pray for the opportunity to give God glory. We can give God glory by acknowledging that we need Him.

Rather than fret about all the “if only’s” In our lives and tagging people as the enemy of our progress, how about we trust God to come through for us instead. Mind you, all the energy being used to ask questions and worry can be channeled into trusting God.

““A person whose desire rests on you, you preserve in perfect peace, because he trusts in you.” – Isaiah 26:3 CJB

“I pray that from the treasures of his glory he will empower you with inner strength by his Spirit, so that the Messiah may live in your hearts through your trusting. Also I pray that you will be rooted and founded in love, Now to him who by his power working in us is able to do far beyond anything we can ask or imagine,” – Ephesians 3:16-17, 20 CJB

How about you pray and say: Dear God, I apologize for that moment or season of self-sufficiency where I thought I could handle it on my own. I come to You committing it all into your hands and ask that You use this situation in my life as an opportunity for Your glory, in Jesus’ Name, Amen.