God’s Plan?? Need help organizing thoughts, prayers and life choices?

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LorD that will stand. PROVERBS 19:21 ESV

Tough choices and stressful times show us what we really believe about God and His role in our lives. Let's face it, many women have a tendency to just take care of business. We get it done. I've often said that I'd rather make a bad decision than no decision because I really dislike open-ended issues. We mean well, truly. We just think it's easier to shoulder the burden than to seek outside help. And we kind of tuck God away for the things we can't handle while we plow through the rest on our own. But when we put our faith in Christ, we need to relinquish control and trust Him to lead us. Think about a typical day in your life. Cleaning, working, cooking, paying bills, chauffeuring, entertaining. . . How much of your life is driven by your need to succeed, to gain outside approval, to be less of a burden to others, to keep a happy home? All of those reasons, though well-intentioned, set you up to drive your speeding train right into the side of a mountain. You can't possibly keep all of that moving along at a healthy pace, so it will eventually crash and burn and leave a huge mess.

Type A people are so strong and moti- vated. Those are great traits--God-given traits that bring glory to Him when used properly. God's plan for you might not fit with your daily agenda, but the more you let go of the details of your life, the more you'll see how faithful He is.

* Consider your schedule and to-do list. How much is there because of your choices versus God's leading?

* What are some times when you've controlled a situation you should have handed over to God?

* What are some times when you've controlled a situation you should have handed over to God?

Morning: Surrender your to-do list. Something like this. Lord, my day is Yours. I let go of my control over my agenda and surrender it to You to guide me onto the path You have for me today. Help me to hear You clearly as You lead me. Amen.

Afternoon: Ask Him to forgive you for squeezing Him out as the pressure hits. Something like this. Dear God, as I pay attention to my tendencies, I see that I tend to push You aside the busier I get. Please help me to draw closer to You rather than further away as I face my daily agenda. Amen.

Evening: Ask Him to reveal where He was at work. Something like this. Father, please help me to learn from the changes I'm making. Show me the ways You guided me to better things when I loosened my grip on the reins. Help me to let go completely tomor- row. Amen.

(The 30-Day Prayer Challenge for Women, Type A, By Nicole O’Dell)