Life Plan Devotion #25 [God's Timing]

God's timing is perfect. I know that's hard to believe, when you're in the middle of a difficult circumstance and you feel either that it should not have happened or it should change right now. "Where is God, and why isn't He doing His job?" you ask. Be reassured, God is here, and He's working on your situation. He's never early; He's never late; He's right on time...His time.
If you think about it, you can remember a time when God came through for you, seemingly at the last minute. Perhaps He acted on your behalf in a situation where you deserved a different outcome. Perhaps you were given grace to endure a most difficult situation. Perhaps you didn't get what you prayed for, only to find out later that God's "no" was definitely the best answer. And, yes, there will be situations where the understanding of the "why" and "when" will not happen until you step through Heaven's gate.
Trust in God's perfect timing, and thank Him in advance for it. That's part of the walk of faith. Remind yourself that if God brought you to it, He'll bring you through it.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 [NIV]
"There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven."

What this has to do with weight loss: Timing is everything, even in matters of weight loss. Sometimes insurance approval issues arise, and when they do, if you can trust that God knows if it's the right time or not, you will experience great peace, even in your disappointment. Sometimes your weight-loss results are less than or slower than expected, and when that happens, if you can live in obedience but leave the results up to God, you will experience great peace about the present and great hope about the future. Rest in God's timing, for every situation in your life.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, You have reminded me today that there is a time for everything and a season for every activity under heaven. I thank You that I can trust You, my Omniscient (all-knowing), Omnipotent (all-powerful) God. You are the only One who knows me best but loves me most. Thank You for Your loving watch care over me. I will trust Your timing, even when I don't understand it. I ask You to coordinate my life on Your timeline. I pray in Jesus' Name. Amen."

Go forth today, in acceptance of God's perfect timing.

Life Plan Devotion #3 [Confusion]

Are you confused about anything? The word confusion is defined as "a state of disorder, upheaval, tumult, chaos; lack of clearness; perplexity, bewilderment." Confusion can cloud your judgment and cause you to fail to move forward in your life.
Confusion causes you to say, "I don't know what to do." What is your greatest area of confusion? Perhaps your area of confusion is in your finances, your career, your relationships, your spirituality, or how to balance life, in general. Any area where you feel overwhelmed, where you don't know where to begin, is an area of confusion.
While "God is not the author of confusion" (I Corinthians 14:33, KJV), He can work it out for good (Romans 8:28). God can use your state of confusion to nudge you to listen more closely for His voice of direction; to encourage you to pay attention to your past missteps, so you don't repeat them; or give you the opportunity to experience His "peace that surpasses all understanding" (Philippians 4:7, NKJV), as you muddle through the mire of confusion to a state of clarity.

James 1:5 [NIV]
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he[/she] should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him [/her]." Note: Information in brackets added by writer.

What this has to do with weight loss: The weight-loss journey can be full of confusion: the decision to have weight-loss surgery, how to afford it, whether or not to tell friends and family, and, last but not least, how to eat/exercise/live post-surgery. Add to those things the magnification of any pre-surgery relationship issues, and you've got confusion! The Lord desires that you come to Him for clarity and wisdom. Partner with Him, and, in time, out of your confusion will come wisdom, clarity, and purpose.

Prayer for Today:
"Heavenly Father, I admit that I lack wisdom in the area of __________. I ask You, 'who give generously to all, without finding fault,' to fill me with wisdom. Thank You for reminding me that I am not alone in any of life's quandaries and that Your light will clear up any confusion, as I turn to You for help. Help me to hear Your voice, Your wisdom, and Your truth. I pray in the Name of Jesus. Amen."

Go forth today, in wisdom and clarity.