Trusting God: Surrendering Control in Life's Uncertainties
Summary
Life often feels like a carefully planned play, where we prepare, strategize, and expect things to unfold according to our vision. Yet, just as a quarterback can call an audible and change the play at the last second, God sometimes redirects our lives in ways we never anticipated. My own journey as a planner—both in my career as a fire chief and in my personal life—was upended when my wife Deanna went home to be with the Lord. All my meticulous plans were suddenly irrelevant, and I was left to wrestle with the reality of whether I truly trusted God with all my heart, or if I had been relying on my own understanding all along.
Proverbs 3:5-6 became a lifeline: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” These words are simple, but their depth is profound. It’s easy to say we trust God, but when life’s foundation is shaken, we discover the areas we’ve kept for ourselves, the places where we’ve asked God to bless our plans rather than seeking His will first. True faith means surrendering every area—family, work, finances, relationships, even our very purpose—to God’s direction, making Him the center of our lives rather than just another part.
A God-centered life is not about the absence of suffering or loss, but about trusting that God’s purposes will prevail, even when we don’t understand. We are called to seek Him in all things: through prayer, through the counsel of the Holy Spirit and the community of believers, and through obedience to His Word. God’s will is not a mystery reserved for the few; it is revealed as we humble ourselves, relinquish control, and walk in daily dependence on Him. Even in our pain and confusion, God is working all things together for good, drawing us and others closer to Himself.
Ultimately, our lives are not about our own achievements or plans, but about glorifying God, growing in Christ, and serving others. The gospel—the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection—is the centerpiece of God’s plan, the ultimate expression of His love and purpose for us. We are invited to trust Him fully, to let go of the exhausting burden of trying to be in control, and to rest in the assurance that He is the perfect planner, guiding us every step of the way.
Key Takeaways
- Surrendering Control Reveals True Faith
It’s easy to believe we trust God until life’s plans are upended. When we face loss or unexpected change, we discover whether our faith is rooted in God or in our own ability to manage outcomes. True trust is revealed not in our words, but in our willingness to surrender every area of life to God’s direction, even when we don’t understand His reasons. [13:11]
- Self-Reliance Is a Subtle Blind Spot
Long-term believers can become complacent, mistaking years of Christian living for genuine dependence on God. We often initiate our own plans and then ask God to bless them, rather than seeking His will first. This self-reliance is a spiritual blind spot that keeps us from experiencing the fullness of God’s guidance and blessing. [15:42]
- God’s Perspective Is Infinitely Greater Than Ours
We operate with a “worm’s eye view,” limited by our knowledge of the past and present, while God sees the eternal now. Basing decisions on our limited understanding leads to anxiety and missteps, but seeking God’s counsel acknowledges His sovereignty and wisdom. Trusting God means accepting that we will never have all the facts, but He does. [22:36]
- A God-Centered Life Touches Every Area
Making God the hub of our lives transforms how we approach family, work, finances, relationships, and even our sense of self. When God is at the center, every decision and action is filtered through His will, leading to a life of purpose, peace, and service. When self is at the center, even good things become self-serving and ultimately empty. [25:23]
- God’s Will Is Revealed Through Daily Dependence
Seeking God’s will is not a one-time event but a continual process involving prayer, listening to the Holy Spirit, engaging with Christian community, and obeying Scripture. God promises to guide those who trust Him wholeheartedly, but this requires humility, patience, and a willingness to let go of our own agendas. In the end, God’s perfect will is for all to come to repentance and to experience the fullness of life in Christ. [34:18]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[01:30] - Life’s Audibles and Lost Control
[02:34] - The Planner’s Dilemma
[06:46] - When God Changes the Plan
[10:20] - Faith Tested in Loss
[13:11] - Proverbs 3:5-6: Trusting God Fully
[15:42] - Blind Spots and Complacency
[18:10] - The Limits of Human Understanding
[19:39] - God’s Perspective vs. Ours
[22:36] - Surrendering to God’s Wisdom
[25:23] - God-Centered vs. Self-Centered Life
[27:07] - Living Out God’s Will in Relationships
[29:06] - Identity and Ministry in Christ
[30:37] - Seeking God’s Will: Practical Steps
[34:18] - Daily Dependence and Obedience
[36:20] - God’s Strategic Plan and Our Suffering
[38:13] - The Gospel: God’s Ultimate Will
[43:58] - Letting Go and Enjoying the Journey
[45:21] - Created for Relationship and Love
[47:48] - The Bible: God’s Plan for Restoration
[48:31] - The Cross: Centerpiece of God’s Will
[49:21] - Closing Prayer and Invitation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Trusting God When Life Changes the Plan
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### Bible Reading
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)
> Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
James 4:13-15 (ESV)
> Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”—yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
> And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
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### Observation Questions
1. According to Proverbs 3:5-6, what are the two things we are told to do, and what is the promise that follows?
2. In James 4:13-15, what attitude does James warn against when making plans for the future?
3. The sermon described a personal story where the speaker’s plans were suddenly changed by tragedy. What did he realize about his own faith and trust in God during that time? [[13:11]]
4. What does Romans 8:28 say about how God uses the circumstances in our lives?
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### Interpretation Questions
1. The speaker admitted that he often made plans and then asked God to bless them, instead of seeking God’s will first. Why is this a problem, and how does it reveal a “spiritual blind spot”? [[15:42]]
2. How does the idea of a “God-centered life” differ from a “self-centered life,” according to the sermon? What are some practical differences in how decisions are made? [[25:23]]
3. The sermon says that God’s perspective is “infinitely greater than ours.” How does this truth help us when we don’t understand why something difficult happens? [[22:36]]
4. The speaker mentioned that God’s will is revealed through daily dependence—prayer, the Holy Spirit, community, and Scripture. Why is it important that seeking God’s will is a continual process, not a one-time event? [[34:18]]
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### Application Questions
1. The speaker shared that he realized he was holding onto control in certain areas of his life, even after many years as a Christian. Are there areas in your life where you are still trying to be in control instead of surrendering to God? What would it look like to let go? [[13:11]]
2. Have you ever experienced a time when your plans were completely changed by something outside your control? How did you respond, and what did you learn about your trust in God? [[06:46]]
3. The sermon warns about the danger of self-reliance, especially for long-time believers. In what ways might you be relying on your own understanding or abilities instead of seeking God’s direction? [[15:42]]
4. The speaker described the difference between making God the “hub” of your life versus just one part of it. What is one area (family, work, finances, relationships, etc.) where you need to move God from the sidelines to the center? [[25:23]]
5. The sermon says that God’s will is revealed through daily habits like prayer, listening to the Holy Spirit, and reading Scripture. What is one practical step you can take this week to seek God’s will more intentionally in your daily life? [[34:18]]
6. Romans 8:28 promises that God works all things together for good for those who love Him. Is there a difficult situation in your life right now where you need to trust that God is working for your good, even if you can’t see it yet? [[37:11]]
7. The speaker said, “It’s hard work trying to be God… it’s exhausting. Let’s just let Him do it.” What is one burden or responsibility you need to hand over to God this week? [[43:07]]
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite group members to pray for one another, specifically asking God to help each person trust Him more fully and to surrender any areas where they are struggling to let go of control.
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