PrayingThyWill

Bible Passage:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” – Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

Devotional Reflection

This verse is a powerful reminder that those who seek God in all they do will be guided by Him. I experienced this truth firsthand in a difficult situation.

I worked in a department where a senior colleague was consistently rude and dismissive toward me. She sought opportunities to make me look bad in front of management, became frustrated when I asked questions for clarity, and often ignored my presence. While she greeted others warmly, she walked past me without a word. Her emails were curt, sometimes lacking even a greeting.

This treatment weighed heavily on me. I found myself constantly questioning what I had done to deserve such hostility. Thoughts of self-doubt crept in—Am I not good enough for this job? Will I lose my position because of her actions? The situation consumed my mind, affecting my peace and confidence.

I had two choices: I could lean on my own understanding—retaliate, become rude, or defend myself aggressively—or I could trust God and seek His wisdom in handling the situation.

God’s Guidance in Difficult Moments

Instead of reacting with bitterness, I chose to respond with respect. I prayed for wisdom and sought God’s direction. I asked Him why I had to endure this and how I should handle it. In response, He led me to meditate on Psalm 86:10-11, which reminded me to keep my focus on Him rather than my circumstances.

I realized that this woman was not in control of my life—God was. He was the one who gave me the job, and He was the one who would sustain me in it. Once I shifted my focus to Him, her actions no longer affected me the same way. I stopped allowing her negativity to take up space in my mind and trusted God to guide me.

Over time, though her behavior remained inconsistent, I was no longer controlled by it. Eventually, an opportunity arose for her to leave the department and the company. But by that time, I had already found peace—I was content whether she stayed or left because my confidence was in God, not in my circumstances.

Application: Walking in Trust

When we face unfair treatment, our natural response is often to fight back, withdraw, or let bitterness take root. But God calls us to trust Him instead. Proverbs 3:5-6 assures us that when we seek His will and follow His way, He will show us the path forward. He may not always remove the challenge immediately, but He will strengthen us to endure and even thrive in the midst of it.

Reflection Questions:

1. Is there a situation where you are tempted to rely on your own understanding instead of trusting God?
2. How can you shift your focus from your circumstances to God today?
3. What verse can you meditate on to help you navigate a difficult relationship or challenge?

Prayer:
Lord, I surrender my challenges to You. Help me to trust You fully and not lean on my own understanding. Show me the right path to take, and help me respond with wisdom and grace. Keep my mind focused on You so that I am not consumed by the actions of others. Thank You for guiding me through every situation. In Jesus’ name, Amen.