A person’s steps are directed by the Lord. How then can anyone understand his own way? (Proverbs 20:24 NIV).

My counseling ministry had grown, and we had decided to use some of my inheritance to put an addition on our house so that I could have an office and a waiting room with an outside entrance. It seemed like the logical thing to do even though I knew that I was beginning to feel burned out and weary.

 Then suddenly one day, I realized that the grace to do counseling–this “skill” that I’d had all my life–was gone. After several days with no change, I said, “God, surely you aren’t trying to tell me you want me to phase out of counseling!” I felt drawn to a book by Charles Stanley and pulled it from my bookshelf. This is what I read, “If you are angry with God for the changes He’s leading you to make or for the new paths He’s showing you to walk, you can express that anger to God…. Your anger won’t change the way God feels about you. It also won’t change His plans.” (The Source of My Strength)

Almost in shock, I asked God to have someone call me so that I could talk to them about what He was saying. Within minutes, my friend, Jane, called.  She was a wonderful sounding board as we talked about this unexpected turn of events. When we’d finished, I was still puzzled and upset, but more and more convinced that I had heard God… and that my reactions would not change His plans.

Thank you, Holy Spirit, for the amazing ways that you give us instruction and counsel, even when understanding has not yet come. Amen.

(Devotional adapted from Homespun Faith, Reflections from the Seasons of Life, copyright 2014 Daisy Beiler Townsend. Available as paperback or ebook: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Xulon Press. There are Links on this website on the Where to Buy Homespun Faith and Sarah’s Legacy page.  Locally at Fresh Grounds, M & M Grocery, Leana’s Books, Penn Alps in Grantsville, Maryland, or from me 724-373-8445.)