“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” – Proverbs 3:5-6

God asks us to submit our plans to Him and trust Him to lead us through life. However, we tend to want to control our own lives, preferring not to surrender all our struggles to God. We are constantly being distracted by worldly idols and messages telling us we need no one but ourselves, yet this could not be further from the truth. The very first words of Genesis, “In the beginning, God created…,” remind us of our identity as God's creation in chapter one verse one. Certainly, we can trust our Creator to guide us, since He knows what we were made for.

“Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.” – Matthew 6:25-27

We tend to be anxious in our lives and feel a desire to control our circumstances when we cannot see where we are headed. This means we are doubting God's plan. When we choose to find our identity in the things of this world, we cannot receive the peace that God wants to give us. Since we are not capable of controlling our lives as we want to, why do we try? Trying only breeds frustration. If something goes wrong, why do we immediately go into a state of worry instead of a state of faith? God tells us to look at everything in this world and see that even the smallest things, like the birds He created, are taken care of.

“For God created man to be immortal and made him to be an image of his own eternity. The righteous, because they are made in the image of God, can rest in the full hope of eternal life.” – Solomon 2:23

Everything in this world was created by God and for God. All things have been created for God’s glory. All creation is according to God’s plan; we were not made to live independently, but rather side by side with God. Living toward and for God will help you avoid being deceived by the lies that this world constantly tries to sell us. There is value in recognizing that it is not good to live for the glory of anything other than God.

You are connected to the truth. It is always appropriate to reach out for help. The minute we start accepting God’s plan for us is the minute we can be free from the anxieties in our lives. The more you know God and understand His perfect goodness, holiness and sovereignty, the easier it is to rest in His perfect plan.

Grand Canyon University is committed to following the Lord in all circumstances. If you would like to learn more about GCU’s Christian identity and mission or would like to read more devotionals please visit our website and check out the GCU Blog. Learn more about the College of Theology and its degree options by checking out our website or requesting more information with the button on this page.