Don't Limit God

Last week, as I was getting ready to leave the house, I heard a loud whisper in my spirit: “Stop putting God in a box.” Though this phrase wasn’t new to me, it struck a chord. I reflected on this season and on how much I’ve limited God and made Him rigid in His plan for my life. I have been navigating unemployment and trying to figure out what God wants me to do in this next chapter of my life, especially after being in school for so long. I started to establish my own agenda and plans, and when I began to receive a stream of rejections from employers, I put a cap on what God could do. So much of my goal of becoming a therapist is tied to being employed, gaining experience and clinical hours. Then I was reminded that His ways are not my ways and His thoughts are not my thoughts (Isaiah 55:8-9).

For many of us, this looks like waiting for a loved one to be saved, for a financial breakthrough, for healing, or for the day we get married. No matter what it is, we often reach a point in our faith journey when we are praying, hoping, and waiting for a miracle, and it just seems impossible. In those moments, I want to encourage you: don't limit God. Don't put a cap on what the Lord can do. He is a God of the impossible; He is all-knowing, almighty King of the universe. He is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). He is able to do far more than what our human minds can comprehend.

We may paint a picture of how God is going to move in our lives, but don't be so rigid that you miss what He is already doing and what He will do.

Sometimes He doesn't answer our prayers exactly the way we imagined, but He knows exactly what we need, and many times we have to go through a journey of trials filled with lessons as He refines and prunes us before we see the miracle. To be honest, Jesus cares more about your heart and character than the gifts He can bless you with. Be encouraged; don't put a cap on God, and remain open to whatever the Lord wants to do. Take those steps of obedience and faith even when it doesn't make sense in the moment. Rest assured that even if you make a mistake in the process, He will redirect your paths as you continue to depend on Him. If God already ordained it, there is nothing we can do to alter it. It may take a while, but God's plans always prevail (Proverbs 19:21).

Key Verse

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

Journal Prompts

• Is there an unanswered prayer that has challenged my faith? How has it affected my relationship with God?
• In what areas has God proven Himself faithful in the past?
• What lessons might God be teaching me in this current season?
• How has God used unexpected circumstances to shape my character?