‘Yes’ is stated sometimes out of guilt, while other times it is stated to simply appease. Yet, oftentimes it is stated out of obligation. You know, they did me a favor so now it’s time for me to return the favor. Then there is the most committed ‘Yes’ of all—to God. But what happens when we encounter a roadblock in life; a trial that obstructs our God destiny pathway indefinitely?
Trials in our lives make us strong
When you are facing a trial that causes you to second guess your beliefs and you become unrecognizable to yourself anymore, what do you do? When your strength is stripped away, you look for help and there is no life preserver in sight—what do you do? When God has yet to move on your behalf, as He promised He would in His word, what do you do?
I have felt all of these things during many of my trials; I’ll tell you what I found myself doing. Succumbing to my emotions and taking matters into my own hands. I helped God help me and justified my actions with James 2:17 that states: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” The problem with my rationale and actions was this: I decided to deliver myself because God was taking too long to deliver me. I messed up terribly and placed my faith solely in my works and plans which proved to fall short every time!
Moving apart from God means moving in our own physical strength without God.
When we decide to take that route, are we fully aware of what we are saying ‘Yes’ to? This is why we must step back and conduct a thorough self-evaluation regarding our motives.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 55:8
We cannot say ‘Yes’ to our own methods and expect God results. Whenever we choose to step outside of God’s perimeters, we become susceptible to opening up the door for people to enter into our lives who do not belong.
Engaging with people God did not position in our lives is dangerous. I used to live in that manner for a long period of time. Whenever I would face a trial I would go to the person I pegged to be extremely spiritual and ask them to pray for me. I did not pray for myself nor did I seek guidance from God because I felt they had that covered and God would listen to them over me. In the meantime, I would devise my own exit plan and turn to those whose insight I valued. In the end I made it through, but with scars that reflected my poor choices.
There is a reason why God instructs us in Proverbs 3:5-6 to “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path.” No one is capable of doing God’s work except God Himself. He is the only One who knows our beginning, unexpected, in-between and ending.
There is neither leeway nor exceptions with God
When I stopped turning to people and turned to God things shifted for me. I established a personal relationship with God—no longer was there a desire to interfere with God’s plans. I began experiencing breakthroughs in such a manner I’d never experienced before because I said ‘Yes, God I trust You’ with my life. Saying ‘Yes’ to God relinquishes the will we have to govern our lives because we trust God and believe that He will come through for us in the good, the bad, the questionable and the uncertain times of our lives.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.” Jeremiah 29:11
