Lean Not to Your Own Understanding

Trusting Beyond Our Own Perception

Why does God instruct us not to lean on our own understanding? It’s because His ways are not our ways. God is all-knowing and sees everything before it happens in our lives. Whatever challenges we face, He is never caught off guard.

I can recall numerous times when I tried to make sense of situations on my own, only to find things unfolding in a completely different way than I had anticipated. Yet, even when the outcome wasn’t what or when I expected, God’s word always held true. Often, when God gives us a promise, we rush in to make it happen ourselves or try to put the pieces together of how God will bring things to pass. I’ve learned over the years you can’t put a finger on God.

Learning to Let Go of My Own Expectations

Reflecting on God’s promises in my life, I’ve experienced firsthand how His plans often unfold in unexpected ways.

Years ago, God promised me that a close family member would be saved. In my mind, I envisioned a straightforward process—one day they would simply turn their life around. But it wasn’t easy. I found myself supporting them at their lowest moments, and things seemed to get worse instead of better. I expected my prayers to bring immediate change, and I often wondered why God chose to save them in such a difficult way. I’ve come to realize that sometimes people need to be broken before they can truly grasp the true understanding of salvation.

God also promised me a husband and a family in the future. I assumed He would send me the kind of man I was drawn to in my past, but instead, He brought someone completely different. I was someone even my husband didn’t expect, but as we spent time together and got to know each other, we realized that we were the best things that had ever happened to one another. God’s understanding goes beyond our desires; He knows what we truly need, regardless of what we think we want.

Surrendering Control and Trusting God’s Plan

God desires us to rely on Him for every aspect of our lives—whether it’s deciding where to live, choosing a career path, finding a spouse, or even picking a car. Typically, when things don’t go as planned, we discover that God has a different approach, one that is often meant to protect us from something we might not see coming.

We are called to seek Him above our own understanding and to place our trust in Jesus Christ. By surrendering control, we are essentially saying, “Lord, I trust You completely, and let Your will to be done, not mine.” This Prayer helps us shift our focus from our limited understanding to His infinite wisdom.

Ultimately, Accepting the idea of not leaning on our own understanding means acknowledging that we don’t have all the answers. It requires a heart open to God’s leading. As we go through life’s ups and downs, let’s remember to lean into His love and grace, allowing Him to guide us in ways we might not fully understand .

Proverbs: 3:5-6

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.