Trusting God When We Do Not Understand
There is a prayer so simple, so humble, and so powerful that it can change a life:
“Lord, if this is not Your will, take it from me. Lead me in the way You desire.”
Those words are not words of defeat. They are words of surrender. They are words of trust.
In a world that teaches us to cling, control, and chase our own plans, this prayer invites us to open our hands and let God lead.
When Our Plans Are Not God’s Plans
We often pray for what we want:
- A door to open
- A relationship to work
- A dream to come true
- A burden to be lifted
Yet sometimes God whispers, “I have something better.”
Scripture reminds us:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord…
— Book of Jeremiah 29:11
And in Book of Proverbs we are told:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Faith is not always knowing where the road leads.
Faith is trusting the One who leads.
The Courage of “Take It From Me”
Sometimes we hold onto things God wants us to release:
- Worry
- Pride
- Old wounds
- Fear
- Even dreams that are not His will
To pray “take it from me” is brave.
It echoes the prayer of Jesus of Nazareth in Gethsemane:
“Not my will, but Yours be done.”
That is not weakness.
That is holiness.
God Leads Through Closed Doors Too
Some of God’s greatest mercies come disguised as unanswered prayers.
A closed door may be protection.
A delay may be preparation.
A “no” may be guidance.
Many times we understand only later that what we asked God to remove… He removed out of love.
And what He asked us to surrender… He replaced with grace.
Following the Way He Desires
When we ask God to lead us, He often guides in gentle ways:
- Through prayer
- Through Scripture
- Through silence
- Through wise friends
- Through unexpected opportunities
- Through peace in the heart
Often His leading is not dramatic.
It is daily.
One faithful step at a time.
As Book of Psalms says:
“Your word is a lamp unto my feet…”
Notice—a lamp, not a floodlight.
Enough light for the next step.
That is usually how God leads.
A Prayer for Today
You may want to pray this slowly:
Lord,
If this is not Your will, take it from me.
Remove what keeps me from You.
Close doors I should not walk through.
Open the ones You desire.
Lead me in Your way,
Shape me by Your wisdom,
And help me trust even when I do not understand.
Not my will, Lord—
Yours be done.
Amen.
Final Thought
Surrender is not losing your way.
It is finding God’s way.
And there is no safer place than being led by Him.
When life feels uncertain, pray simply:
“Lord, if this is not Your will, take it from me. Lead me in the way You desire.”
That prayer can change everything.
Thank you for reading this blog. Please share it with others.
Rick Herring
