“When I saw this opportunity, I thought it would be perfect for you!”
Over coffee, a friend mentioned a local ministry looking for volunteers. She’d been involved with this worthy cause for several years, and a position they needed filled seemed to be just the right fit for me.
My excitement grew like you wouldn’t believe.
I’d been watching this ministry in our community and had every intention of getting involved. Now it seemed like my prayers were being answered. Was God opening a door for me? I decided to pray about it (with every notion that God would say yes.)
So imagine my surprise when I didn’t feel like I got the go-ahead from God.
When things stalled out, my stubbornness kicked into high gear. I thought surely God would be pleased with my willingness! I even had a few hours per week to spare. I wanted to let God lead me, but I just couldn’t understand how He could say no to such a worthwhile thing. That made it hard to let go and follow His plan instead of my own.
The Root of Our Struggle to Let Go of Control
In our last devotion, I shared about our struggle to let go of control. We learned to remember that God is over all things. By focusing on that truth, we can practice daily giving control back to Him. But looking a little deeper brings up a question worth exploring. What lies at the root of our struggle to let go of control?
To find the answer, let’s look at the story in Exodus of a ruthless Pharaoh pursuing the fleeing Israelites.
When God Hardened Pharaoh’s Heart
God sent Moses to lead His people out of the bondage they’d experienced under Egyptian rule for so long. Each time Pharaoh relented and agreed to release the Israelites, God hardened his heart, and Pharaoh changed his mind.
Even after finally heeding Moses’ warning and letting the people go, God once again hardened his heart, and the Egyptian army went after them.
Pharaoh had no intention of letting his laborers go. Scripture tells us the Lord “hardened his heart” which means God allowed Pharaoh to be ruled by his own stubborn nature. He let Pharaoh do what he wanted to do—to be in control.
Why Do We Allow Our Hearts to Be Hardened?
I know all-too-well the desire to forge my own path. Just like wanting to serve in a certain ministry with my friend, I can get caught up in what I want and forget to allow God to guide me. The word heart in the verse above originates from the Hebrew word leb, referring to the foundation of our thoughts and emotions. Pharaoh had control of the Israelites, and he did not want to let that go. A hardened heart can have the same effect on us.
We too can harden our hearts when we aren’t getting our way or things aren’t turning out the way we planned.
I love how this quote from an article on Christianity.com explains it, “When God gives us over to our own charge, our own control, we always become hard of heart toward the will of God. It is the natural result of fallen humans refusing to allow God to control our lives.”
Ouch:) A difficult truth, but one we need to hear, in order to keep taking steps forward in our spiritual walk. That’s why it’s so crucial that we make time to rest at the feet of Jesus often and seek His will above our own.
Romans 2:5 tells us, “But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed.”
We see the word heart again in this New Testament verse. Similar to the one used in Exodus 14:8, the Greek word kardia here refers to “the inner person, self, the seat of thought and emotion: conscience, courage, mind, and understanding.”
Simply put, we can be stubborn. But we know in our hearts, God’s way is the best way, so it’s time to dig deep and pull out any of the hard roots that remain.
How Do We Know If We’re Letting God Lead Us?
When I get used to taking the lead, I can convince myself that something is God’s will, even when I haven’t heard clear direction from Him. I rationalize it, thinking that if it makes me happy, then of course it’s what He wants. But just because it’s a good thing, doesn’t mean it’s God’s thing for me right now.
To know for sure, we need to pray and ask Him to soften our hearts.
The Benefits of Letting God Lead You
So much good will come from yielding to God’s guiding hand. It’s painful at first, but when we submit to His will, we will find freedom in following. Softening our hearts will prepare us to:
Receive what God has for us.
See others with the compassion of Jesus.
Serve and give with kindness.
Find freedom from our own plans and decisions.
Doesn’t that sound wonderful? Let’s pray together for softer hearts toward the Lord and His plans.
Philippians 2:13 tells us, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” As we pray, may we find a renewed attitude toward following where He leads.
Choosing to step back from pursuing that new ministry opportunity was tough for this go-getter who wants to do all the things. But I’m finding renewed peace in trusting God’s sovereignty. He may have another time for me to step into this role, and He may not. Either way, I can walk in freedom, anticipating the good plans He has for me.
When we allow our hearts to soften toward the ways of God, we yield to His plans, become merciful toward His people, and trade callousness for gentleness.
A Prayer for God to Soften Our Hearts
Dear Heavenly Father,
My heart has become hardened as I’ve continued fighting for control. I’ve prayed and wanted to let go, but then I make decisions based on what I want instead of waiting for your answer. Forgive me, Lord. Soften my heart toward your ways, your will, and your people.
Your Word says that it’s you who works in me to act, in order to fulfill your good purpose. You know best, and you have a plan beyond what I can see in front of me. Help me to trust that. Help me yield to your will. Where you lead me, I will follow. I confess my stubbornness, and I know good things await as I let you have complete control. Thank you for being my guiding hand. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
