Topic: God Hasn’t Set You Up to Fail – Daily Devotional by Proverbs 31 Ministries 27 April 2020

God Hasn’t Set You Up to Fail

“You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews‬ ‭10:36‬ (‭NIV‬‬)‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Wake up before the kids do, they say. Have your coffee and quiet time before you get ready for work, they say. Those are just two examples from the list of well-meaning advice on how to find time for yourself.

Well, it’s not always that simple, you know? Some mornings are too busy. Some nights are too restless. Maybe with less responsibilities, I could spend more time with God and pursue the things I actually want to do.

Recognize that tune?

Do you ever feel like your current situation doesn’t match the goals in your heart — like maybe the things around you are hindering you from making your next move?

I surely do. Sometimes I get frustrated by how slowly things are moving. Whether it’s trying to grow my ministry or guide my child through her next developmental milestone, I can easily become impatient with the process, wondering if I should just try a completely new method.

Sometimes that can be the solution, but I’ve found that starting fresh isn’t always the answer. More often than not, I believe our current situations are the perfect environments for God to grow us exactly how we need to grow.

Perhaps the frustration from that job you no longer love is the fertilizer God uses to develop your creativity for something greater. Maybe that impatience you feel from changing diapers and making bottles all day is the water He’s using to strengthen your endurance. God knows you’ll need it to accomplish those dreams that may seem out of reach right now.

At times, I’m so focused on the vision He gave me for my life that I undervalue today’s challenges, deeming them as obstacles in my way rather than propellers into my future.

But imagine if a seed were to say, I’m tired of all this dirt. I need to get away and step into the light. Well, that seed would never become what it was meant to be. Likewise, sometimes we have to go through the less glamorous seasons to blossom into the people God has made us to be.

Hebrews 10:36 reminds us, “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (NIV).

There’s a promise in store for us when we do God’s will. It can feel like the chaos of daily living is soaking up time to do what God wants us to do. But what if we’re looking at it the wrong way? What if the tasks that currently consume our time are where we’re supposed to find God? Surely if we can learn to seek Him in the midst of everything else, we’ll be better prepared for the calling He’s placed on our lives.

Ephesians 2:10 says we are created to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do. Just imagine! We can trust Him with all of our plans and desires, knowing that somehow, our present responsibilities are opportunities for growth and the lessons we need for the work God has prepared for us. It could be that where you are right now is equipping you for where you are going.

Be encouraged. Don’t let today’s responsibilities trap you into longing for a different season. Hold on to God’s Word, and know He hasn’t set you up to fail. Whatever your current endeavors are, do everything to glorify God, and He’ll see you through to your next big move.

Lord, You know I desire to do more for You. Help me see You in everything I do, so I can embrace the process and enjoy the journey, knowing I’m purposefully planted to do Your will. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

TRUTH FOR TODAY

Romans 8:28, “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” (CSB)

Ephesians 2:10, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (NIV)