Don’t Depend on Your Own Smarts

Proverbs 3:5-12

As a person who is a “recovering control freak,” I commiserate with how hard it is to “not depend on your own understanding.” (v. 5) That’s really what we are doing when we try to control everything and everyone around us; we’re thinking we know best. This approach to life also shows a lack of trust in the ability of our all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-loving God. Thinking I have to be in charge of everything sounds silly when put that way, huh? 

Questions for further thought:
1. Be honest with yourself: on a scale of 1–10, how would you rate your trust in the Lord?
2. What area of life (or person in your life) are you currently trying to control? How’s that working out for you?  

​Challenge: Just to be clear, self-control is not what we are trying to avoid. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit and is needed to stop trying to control everything outside of yourself! Take another look at verses 11-12. Are you currently running from God’s discipline? Decide today to welcome His correction because He loves you and delights in you!