"Running ahead of God"

Are you someone who gets anxious for everything?

Scripture:“Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.” — Psalm 37:7 (NIV)

Devotional: Imagine a fish living in a small pond during the summer. As the days go by, the water level begins to drop. The fish becomes anxious, fearful that it won’t have enough water to survive. In desperation, it prays to God, asking for rain to fill the pond.

One day, God appears and asks the fish, "Do you have enough water to drink?" The fish replies, "Yes." Then God asks, "Do you have enough water to swim?" The fish responds again, "Yes." God gently says, "Then be still. I know when to send the rain."

The fish had everything it needed, but its anxiety made it forget the sufficiency of God's provision in the moment. We can often find ourselves in a similar place, overwhelmed with worry about what lies ahead. In our anxiety, we try to control the situation, asking God for immediate answers or solutions. But God reminds us that He knows what we need and when to provide it.

The fish didn’t have to panic or run ahead of God’s timing; it needed to trust that God, in His perfect wisdom, would bring the rain when it was right. Just as the fish trusted in God’s timing, we are called to wait patiently and trust that God’s timing is always perfect.

Reflection: Is there an area in your life where you’re anxious or trying to control the outcome? How can you trust God's perfect timing today?

Prayer: Lord, forgive me for trying to rush ahead of Your plan. Help me to be still and trust that You will provide in Your perfect time. I know that Your timing is always best. In Jesus’ name, Amen.