“Before you do anything, put your trust totally in God and not in yourself. Then every plan you make will succeed.” – Proverbs 16:3
Have you ever felt the weight of your plans crushing you? I know I have. For years, I watched as my carefully crafted strategies crumbled, my meticulously planned paths led to dead ends, and my self-reliance left me exhausted and discouraged. It wasn’t until I truly understood these powerful words from Proverbs 16:3 that everything changed. This divine wisdom became my compass, shifting my entire perspective on success and surrender.
Let me share something deeply personal with you: this verse isn’t just another piece of biblical wisdom – it’s a life-changing truth that transformed my entire approach to life, success, and purpose. And I have a feeling I’m not alone in this journey.
The Moment Everything Changed
You know that feeling when you’re holding on so tight your knuckles turn white? That was me, clutching my plans, my dreams, my need for control. We’ve all been there – staying up late plotting our next move, obsessing over every detail, convinced that if we just try harder, plan better, or work longer, everything will fall into place.
But here’s the beautiful truth I discovered: sometimes our greatest breakthrough comes when we finally open our hands and let go.
The Struggle We All Know Too Well
Let’s be honest – trusting God completely isn’t easy. In a world that celebrates self-made success stories and independent achievement, the idea of surrendering our plans can feel counterintuitive, maybe even scary. I’ve sat in countless coffee shops, staring at my journal, wrestling with questions like:
- “What if God’s plan is different from mine?”
- “How do I know I’m making the right choice?”
- “Does letting go mean giving up on my dreams?”
Maybe you’re nodding your head right now, because you’ve asked these same questions.
What True Surrender Feels Like
The most profound change happened when I stopped treating God like a cosmic vending machine – insert prayer, receive desired outcome – and started approaching Him as a loving Father who sees the bigger picture. This isn’t about passive resignation; it’s about active trust.
I remember the first time I truly surrendered a major decision to God. My hands were shaking, my heart was racing, but underneath it all was a peace I had never known before. It felt like finally exhaling after holding my breath for years.
The Daily Dance of Trust
Here’s what I’ve learned about living Proverbs 16:3 in real life:
Sometimes trust looks like waking up and whispering, “Your plans, not mine, Lord” before checking your email. Other times, it’s taking that bold step forward, knowing that even if you fall, you’re falling into grace.
The beautiful paradox is this: when we stop trying to control everything, we find ourselves more capable than ever. When we release our white-knuckled grip on our plans, we discover our hands are free to receive something better.
A New Definition of Success
You want to know the most incredible part? When we truly commit our works to the Lord, success takes on a whole new meaning. It’s no longer about checking boxes on our five-year plan or meeting society’s expectations. Instead, success becomes about alignment – seeing our plans merge with a purpose greater than ourselves.
The Promise That Changes Everything
The latter part of Proverbs 16:3 holds a promise that still takes my breath away: “Then every plan you make will succeed.” But here’s what I’ve learned – sometimes success looks different than we imagined. Sometimes it’s sweeter, sometimes it’s harder, but it’s always, always better.
An Invitation to Trust
Today, I’m extending an invitation to you. Whether you’re standing at a crossroads, facing a major decision, or simply tired of carrying the weight of your plans alone – try letting go. Take that first, trembling step of trust.
Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. Every saint, every biblical hero, every person who’s ever done anything significant for God’s kingdom started with this same decision: to trust first, then act.
Let’s walk this path together, holding onto the promise that when we trust God before all else, our plans don’t just succeed – they become part of a story far more beautiful than we could have written on our own.
As Proverbs 16:3 reminds us, when we put our trust totally in God before taking any action, every plan we make will succeed. Not because we’re perfect, but because we’re perfectly held in His hands.