One of my favorite verses in the Bible is Proverbs 3:5:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
In my opinion, this verse is powerful. It gives us the advice we need to deal with difficult situations in life.
The fact is, there are situations in life that we can’t understand. Maybe something bad happened that you didn’t expect. Maybe you have done something good only to get the opposite in return. Or you might think that the more you do good, the further you are from your destination.
For such a situation, the advice in this verse is priceless: do not lean on your own understanding. Instead, trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Our understanding is limited. We may not be able to comprehend God’s ways. But you know what? God knows what is best for you. God can see the entire picture from the beginning to the end. Isaiah 55:8-9 says:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
God’s ways are not our ways. What we think is good might not be best in God’s eyes. He knows better than any of us. So, if you are in a situation that you can’t understand, just keep believing. Just keep doing your part. And believe that God will make it good at the end.
The story of Joseph illustrates this well. Time and again, Joseph did something good only to get something bad in return. He did well in Potiphar’s house only to get thrown into jail. He helped Pharaoh’s cupbearer only to be forgotten.
Fortunately, Joseph didn’t lean on his own understanding. He kept trusting in God no matter what. He kept doing his part and believed that God would do His. He believed that God’s timetable is the best. The result, at the end, is glorious. Joseph became a ruler over Egypt who saved the nation from famine.
If you are in a difficult situation right know, remember that God is with you. You might not be able to understand His ways, but keep doing your part and keep believing. He will make it wonderful at the end.
