In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

Proverbs 16:9

Our modern lives are often defined by a frantic, unhurried pursuit of control. We meticulously plan our days, our careers, and even our relationships, believing that if we can just manage every variable, we can prevent stress and guarantee a perfect outcome. But the truth is, this misplaced belief in our own power is the very source of our anxiety. This is especially true during the Christmas season, when the pressure to create the "perfect" holiday—from finding the right gift to hosting the big dinner—can feel immense and entirely our responsibility. We mistakenly believe that if we just "work like it depends on us," we can control the results.

This verse from Proverbs offers a profound and calming truth: while we can plan and put in effort, the ultimate direction of our lives is in God's hands. The unhurried Christian life isn’t about passively waiting for things to happen; it’s about acknowledging our role in putting in the effort, while trusting that God is the one who ultimately establishes our steps. He is working behind the scenes, setting things in place for His perfect will to unfold. This frees us from the impossible burden of controlling every single detail and result. It allows us to find rest, even when our plans are disrupted or things don't go our way. True peace comes when we surrender the need to control the outcome and instead, trust the One who is already in control.

Whenever you feel stressed today, take a deep breath and remind yourself: "I control my effort, God controls the result."

Questions for Reflection

1. What is one specific situation in your life right now that is causing you stress because you feel like you have to control the outcome?

2. How would it feel to intentionally surrender the outcome of that situation to God, focusing only on the effort you can control?

3. Can you identify a time in the past when your plans were disrupted, but in hindsight, you can see how God was at work to establish a better path?