“A man’s heart plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” (Proverbs 16:9 NKJV)
This verse is a refreshing, empowering call from God about planning and action. I hear God saying, “You know in your heart what you desire to accomplish. Go ahead and get started. Once you get going, I will guide you to where I desire you to be.”
How many times have you hesitated to take action, fearful of the outcome or concerned that it may not be what God desires of you? I know did that a great deal in my early experiences as the parent of a child with an addiction. Many times I found myself looking to God for that clear cut answer before doing anything. At times the silence was deafening. Now I understand why. God was waiting on me to plan my course and take action.
This verse encourages us not to worry about whether our decisions are the “wrong ones,” for God will direct your steps toward the right path once you get moving. He encourages each of us to get started, do what we know we need to do, and trust Him to lead us from there. Being that your heart is already working at being in alignment with God’s principles and teaching, it is unlikely you will make a careless, reckless or irresponsible decision. Besides, even if you did not make the best decision at the time, knowing that only comes from the benefit of hindsight after you have acted.
Every parent fears making a bad decision. We fret and worry. We pray for guidance in our decision making process, hoping we don’t make a mistake. In reality, there are no absolutes or guarantees. Everything we decide, even if it seemed to be the perfect plan, is still subject to the behaviors and responses of others. How can we possibly know the hearts and minds of others until action is taken? How can we perfectly absolutely predict their reaction to our decisions. Truth is, we can’t.
Our addiction laden, highly charged situations, comprise many moving parts and pieces. Emotions are involved. In some cases, irrationality has taken control while logic and reason have left the room. Even though the situation is highly energized and fraught with risk, we are encouraged to take thoughtful action anyway.
In all this chaos, there is one constant, the will and the plans of God. Let your mind plan and act. Do what you know you need to do and let God do the hard work He has promised to do. Find comfort in knowing He will take you exactly where He intends you to be. Trust yourself. Trust Him. That is what faith in action is all about.
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Is your child addicted to drugs or alcohol? Are you trapped on the emotional roller coaster of addiction? Dave Cooke can help. He’s an internationally recognized speaker who has made it his commitment to minister to parents struggling with addiction in their families. Let him share with you how to create an action plan that will move you, your family, and your addicted child in a healthier direction.
Contact Dave today to book him to speak at your church, parent’s group, business organization, or neighborhood association. Go to http://www.100pedals.com/speaker-dave-cooke/ for more information or email [email protected].
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Dave,
You have really incorporated God in your website over the past few months.
One of my biggest obstacles of doing my job as a addiction counselor is getting by the parents.
It became so frustrating to me constantly hearing your not a parent you wouldn’t understand.
Not my kid, it were the other kids influence over my kid.
I went to see one of my professors at Baker College where I attended. She told me to ask the parents if they believed in God. If they said yes she told me to tell them then get out of his way he sent me to do his work.
Michael
Michael,
That is an awesome response. Your professor gave you a great gift with that one. That is exactly what I remind myself every time I think I need to intervene as a parent. This is God’s program and it is God’s plan - get out of the way. Thanks for sharing.
Karen V says
That’s awesome to hear, gets me back to focusing on “I’m not in control of this”. It’s difficult because I know how devastating another relapse would be!
Dave, I just caught up on reading your monthly blogs. They are so very encouraging, helpful and get me refocused. I have been able to share them to bless others as well
Parent of daughter 9 1/2 months clean & sober
Karen
Karen,
Thanks for the supportive comments. Thrilled your daughter is 9 and 1/2 months clean and sober. That is an awesome accomplishment!