Introduction:
We live in a fast-paced world that pushes us to achieve success on our terms. We’ve all been there—setting our own deadlines, pushing ahead with our plans, and expecting everything to fall into place. But when it doesn’t, we’re left broken, frustrated, and asking God where we went wrong. Yet, God has had a plan for us from the moment we were created, and trusting His timing is far more rewarding than forcing our own.
In this post, we’ll talk about why walking in step with God’s timeline is so much better than running ahead, and how surrendering to His will can transform our lives in ways we couldn’t have imagined.
Why We Try to Run Ahead:
Let’s be real. The idea of waiting can be frustrating. You have dreams and desires in your heart that feel urgent, and naturally, you want them to happen now. Maybe it’s a career goal, a relationship, a family, or even healing from past trauma. The problem is, we often confuse our desire for control with progress. When things don’t happen on our timeline, we get anxious and impatient, thinking we need to take matters into our own hands.
Sometimes, when we experience a small success—a job offer, a new connection, or a breakthrough—we interpret it as a sign to sprint forward, taking control of everything again. But instead of trusting God’s bigger picture, we end up running ahead with our own limited understanding, forgetting that God’s timing is perfect, not ours.
The Dangers of Moving Ahead of God:
When we rush ahead, we may achieve certain milestones, but we often arrive at them broken, exhausted, and filled with regret. How many times have you gotten what you wanted, only to realize that the process left you drained and hurt?
The Bible reminds us in *Proverbs 16:9*, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” This verse is a reminder that, while we may plan and strategize, it is ultimately God who directs our path. When we try to bypass His timing, we not only miss out on the peace that comes from trusting Him, but we also set ourselves up for unnecessary struggles.
God’s Plan Was in Place Before You Were Born:
Sometimes we forget that God’s plan for our lives was established long before we were even born. Jeremiah 1:5 says, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart.” This means that nothing in our lives—no desire, no goal—is random or unknown to God. He placed those desires in your heart, but they are meant to be fulfilled in His time.
If we believe that God loves us and is sovereign, then we also must trust that His timing is perfect, even when it doesn’t align with our own. His plan is for our good, not our harm. We see only a small part of the picture, but God sees it all—the beginning, the middle, and the end. He knows what we need in every season of our lives and when we’re truly ready for the blessings we seek.
Learning to Walk, Not Run:
Think of your life as a journey. When we rush ahead, we miss the beauty of the walk. Walking with God allows us to grow, to learn, and to heal. Sometimes, we focus so much on the destination that we overlook the lessons and blessings along the way.
Walking also implies steady, deliberate progress. When you walk with God, you have the time to strengthen your faith, deepen your relationship with Him, and prepare your heart for the things you’re praying for. If God gave us everything we wanted right away, we wouldn’t appreciate it fully because we wouldn’t be ready to handle it.
Remember, there’s a reason why God encourages us to be patient and to trust His timing. *Ecclesiastes 3:11* tells us, “He has made everything beautiful in its time.” That includes the desires of your heart.
How to Surrender to God’s Timing:
Now that we’ve established why trusting God’s timing is so important, let’s talk about how to actually do it. Surrendering control doesn’t come naturally to many of us, but it’s something we can learn with practice and faith.
1. Prayer: Consistent prayer is key when you’re trying to trust God’s timing. In your prayers, be honest about your desires but ask God for patience, wisdom, and discernment. Pray not only for the things you want but also for the strength to wait.
2. Scripture: Dive deep into God’s Word. The Bible is full of promises about God’s perfect timing. Study verses like *Proverbs 3:5-6*—”Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.” Let Scripture remind you that God’s way is better than our way.
3. Reflection: Take time to reflect on past experiences when things didn’t go according to your plan, but in the end, you saw how God’s timing worked out for the best. This builds trust for the future.
4. Surround Yourself with Encouragement: Sometimes, we need support to keep our faith strong. Whether it’s through fellowship, worship, or reading encouraging testimonies, surrounding yourself with reminders of God’s faithfulness will strengthen your resolve.
When You Trust, You Thrive:
When we finally surrender and trust God’s timing, something beautiful happens. We experience peace—true peace that comes from knowing we’re not in control, but we’re in the hands of the One who is. Instead of rushing toward a goal that may leave us weary, we can enjoy the journey, learning more about ourselves and growing in our faith along the way.
God isn’t interested in just giving us what we want; He wants to prepare us to receive His best. By trusting His timing, we arrive at our destination whole, healed, and ready to fully embrace the plan He has for us. We don’t just survive—we thrive.
Conclusion:
It’s hard to wait, especially when you have big dreams or desires. But rushing ahead of God’s plan often leads to disappointment, frustration, and brokenness. Instead, choose to walk with Him. Trust that the desires He has placed in your heart will come to pass in His perfect timing. When you allow God to guide your steps, you won’t just reach your destination—you’ll arrive whole, restored, and filled with peace.
As you go about your day, take a moment to reflect: Are you running ahead, or are you walking in God’s perfect timing?
