If We Could Have Life Our Way - July 31, 2025
Scripture:
“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."
— Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)
Devotional:
What if God said, “You can have life your way”? Your will, not Mine. However you want your life to be—perfect, painless, full of blessings, no storms, no struggles. It sounds ideal, doesn’t it? Most of us would jump at the chance to write our own version of life.
I don’t know many people who would choose trials, setbacks, delays, failures, heartbreak, rejection, or pain. I don’t know too many who would say, “God, give me a good life, but make sure I suffer a little too, just so I can learn obedience.” Most would say, “Give me the blessings, the ease, the answered prayers, and the glory… but leave out the growing pains.”
But here’s the truth: if life were perfect, we’d miss knowing the perfect God. We’d know His hand, but not His heart. We’d know His gifts, but not His grace.
Because the good side of God isn’t just blessings and breakthroughs—it’s favor even after failure, grace even in disobedience, and peace in the middle of storms. It’s the whisper of His voice when everything else is loud. It’s His hand lifting you when shame tries to bury you.
The real beauty of God is not found in perfection—it’s found in presence.
If life were always easy, we wouldn’t know what it’s like for God to carry us through the valley. If we never failed, we wouldn’t understand His mercy. If we never felt broken, we wouldn’t long for His healing. Sometimes, the most divine encounters come through the most devastating seasons.
Sometimes the pain is the portal. The failure is the furnace. The storm is the setup.
Not for your destruction, but for your transformation.
I’ve been in those places. So many I’ve lost count. But every one has pushed me deeper into a relationship with God I could never earn or fabricate. A closeness I wouldn’t trade for anything. His peace is better than the picture-perfect life. His presence is the real blessing.
He’s been my friend. My comforter. My shield. My counselor. My peace.
The truth is, many in the Bible, people God loved, faced trials. Why should we be exempt? Christ Himself was “a man of sorrows… acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3). He told us plainly: In this world you will have trouble. But take heart, for I have overcome the world (John 16:33).
It’s in those trials that we discover who God really is, and who we really are. I’ve learned to obey God when it hurts. To trust Him when nothing makes sense. And today, I’m starting to see the fruit of that obedience. I’m seeing the goodness of the Lord, and not just in what I have, but in who I’ve become in Him.
Reflection/Challenge:
Take a moment and ask yourself:
If God had answered every one of your prayers your way and in your time… would you really know Him? Would you trust Him like you do now?
Today, reflect on one moment in your life that didn’t go your way, but somehow still worked out for your good. Write it down. What did it teach you about God’s character? What did it reveal about your own heart?
Now ask:
Am I willing to surrender my idea of a “perfect life” for a life that keeps me close to God?
This week, challenge yourself to thank God *for the things you didn’t choose but couldn’t live without…*the lessons, the growth, the peace that came after the pain.
Prayer:
Father God, in the Name of Jesus,
Thank You for another day. Thank You for waking me up this morning, starting me on my way, clothing me in my right mind, and allowing me to see the dawn of a brand new day.
Lord, I ask You to forgive me for all my sins and shortcomings, and I receive Your forgiveness in my heart. Create in me, O Lord, a clean heart. Purify my thoughts, and cast down every vain imagination and every high thing that tries to exalt itself against the knowledge of You, O God.
Lord, I thank You that You did not give me everything I asked for. I thank You that Your love is wise, and Your wisdom is love. Even when I didn’t understand it and when I felt abandoned, overlooked, or crushed by disappointment, You were still there. And You were still good.
Father, forgive me for the times I’ve tried to write my own story, without waiting for Your direction. Help me to trust that Your “no” and “not yet” are just as holy as Your “yes.” Remind me that Your plans are higher, Your timing is perfect, and Your purpose will never fail.
I surrender my idea of a perfect life and receive the perfect peace that only You can give. Use every setback, every scar, every delay to draw me closer to You. I want to know You, not just in the blessing, but in the breaking too. Let my life be a reflection of Your goodness, Your faithfulness, and Your glory.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.