"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones."
-Proverbs 3:5-8
Do you find that you worry most about the things that are largely out of your control? And do you find that those things are also, often, the things in life you most desire? I do. I've really been tuning in to my thoughts and worries lately and I've come to realize that the lack of control is what I tend to be afraid of, more than anything else.
I stumbled across this verse from Proverbs a few days ago and since then, whether by chance or not (I'm guessing not), I've been feeling a whole lot lighter. As I've written before, I worry. It's a fairly normal state for me. So I'm always especially thankful for the days and weeks when my heart is at peace and the worrying is kept at bay.
I so love this line: "Do not rely on your own insight." And this one, too: "Be not wise in your own eyes." Very often, we're told exactly the opposite. You can do anything you set your mind to. If you try hard enough, the world will be yours. With confidence, you will succeed.
And of course all of that is true and useful to an extent. Sometimes I worry over my own efforts, or I feel guilt over whether I'm doing enough, or anxiety about whether I'm on the right path. But working on myself and trying always to do my best just isn't enough. Not if I'm after lasting, inner peace, a true sense of self-worth, and the satisfaction that comes from knowing I am eternally loved.
When it comes to those things I worry about most--those things that are entirely out of my hands--my insight and knowledge and work ethic alone won't get me through. Nor will the insight of my husband, or my parents, or my friends. They will help, but on their own, they won't get me through.
That's why I need God. Only through faith will I ever feel peace. Only by His Grace will I ever be truly free. Only by trusting Him and His goodness can I ever loosen my grip and just let it all go.
