Genesis 48:11 And Israel said to Joseph, “I never expected to see your face, and behold, God has let me see your children as well.”
I love this. This is the result of the one who puts his faith in God. When this happens we are giving up control. Our doubts will tell that we will be without. Skeptics say that we will have a minimul life, almost as a monk. In reality it’s as Jacob says. I think of the verse, “Eye has not seen nor has ear heard, nor has it entered into the heart of man, all that God has prepared for those that love Him” I Cor 2:9. I can imagine some great things for myself. Unfortunately many of those things would be detrimental to me. God is my maker. He knows my weaknesses and the things that may trigger them. I don’t even know what’s best for me. It’s a common story of the lottery winner whose life and/or family ends up in ruin. But as we let God be in control, it’s more than good.
How do we do this? Trust in The Lord with all your heart, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths” Proverbs 3:5,6. Pray the prayer commiting our lives to Him. When situations arise we do our best to yield to Him. As we stay in the bible we get to know His values. We apply them to situations. “Each must do as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion. For God loves a cheerful giver.” 2 Cor 9:7 We shouldn’t feel forced. If so, it’s probably not God. Don’t act out of guilt. As we give of our time and actions, it is to be done out of desire.
Another way to follow God’s leading is to read circumstances. He opens and closes doors. Acts 16:6-8 tell of Paul trying to go in several different directions, but the Holy Spirit forbade him. We don’t know exactly what stopped him, but for us it’s often circumstances or a lack of peace in our hearts. Often I’ll attempt to do something and it won’t work. I’ll keep trying and it’s not working, I’ll often toss up a prayer for guidance. I’ll wait and try later. If it still doesn’t work, I’ll usually abandon it. It may be God or not. We don’t know for sure. We do our best. God honors this. We will run into circumstances, like Jacob that let us see the incredible goodness of The Lord. Thanks, God.