One week ago today, a dear friend of mine went in to the hospital. It was not a “life threatening” procedure, but it was of the type where he would not know the outcome until he awoke after the surgery. The surgeon would not know until he was at a certain point into the surgery what he would be called upon to do. So, as I talked with my friend the last time before the surgery, he reminded me how he had to mentally prepare for either of the outcomes. The surgery was a knee replacement, and he would either wake up with a partial knee replacement (he already had one on his other knee), or a full knee replacement. That may not sound too dramatic, but my friend is very active, and also relies on his mobility at his job. This was a MAJOR deal that would change his lifestyle, one way or another.

As I was in bed this morning, thinking about that scenario, and the outcome, and the trust in the surgeon’s decision and skill, I realized that I have never been in quite that situation. So on many levels I can not empathize with the preparation or the response that my friend went through. And yet, on a daily basis, how many times have I walked into a situation, knowing the outcome would be A or B? In my business I deal with that on a nearly daily basis as I present options to my clients. In my walk, as I pray to God about things, I rely on His grace and wisdom to guide me. He has opened doors and closed others. Whether in business or in my walk, though, I usually think that I have some level of influence on the outcome, if even just a teensy weensy bit. How easily can I fool myself into thinking that left to my own devices I make good decisions?

May I remind myself daily that I am not in control. I can prepare myself with thoughtful consideration, prayer and motivation, but I need to give myself over to His outcome in ALL things.

“Contentment comes when we remember that what God chooses is far better than what we choose.”
– Unknown

“Out of the will of God there is no such thing as success; in the will of God there is no such thing as failure.”
– David Amstutz

This morning I was thinking on the words above and trying to apply them. After seemingly random thoughts crossed through my mind, I realized how blessed by God that I am.

A couple of weeks ago someone emailed me a not very nice note that really messed up my head. Though I knew in my heart that the words seemed misplaced, at the other end of the words is still a person who questions who I am and what I stand for. My heart was downtrodden and my confidence shaken. And really, literally, after like a day and a half, until just now, I haven’t given the disparaging words any more thoughts. I “turned my cheek” and I sought God to search my heart anew. I needed His hand to reassure me, to strengthen me. Satan will use any method he can to destroy our confidence that we are walking and talking and acting as one who calls on God as Lord and Savior. If you and I doubt who we are, as children of God, Satan has victory over us.

If you and I conduct our lives, our business, our relationships in the will of God, there is no such thing as failure. We will at times be called liars, and hypocrites and worse. The world may see us differently, circumstances may portray us differently, but He knows the true desires of our heart.

May the meditations of your heart always be on Him. He alone is our rock, in times of persecution and in times of joyous celebration.

A Christian lady was complaining to a friend about the hardness of life and the circumstances that buffeted her and in anger said:  “Oh, I wish to God that I had never been made!”  “My dear child,” replied the friend,” you are not yet made; you are only being made, and you are quarreling with God’s processes.”
– Unknown