Doing What God Says Is Not Always Convenient—Or Easy. 

As human beings, we naturally gravitate towards what feels right—those comforting and familiar choices that truly resonate with our desires. Hmm… Our own desires. That is precisely what this whole thing you’re reading is about!

See, our carnal hearts pull us toward our own plans, our own timing, and what makes sense in our minds. 

Do you see the “we,” “us,” and “our own” in the previous sentences? That demonstrates who we are thinking about when we are not doing what God says. We are thinking of ourselves.

The problem is we cannot truly serve God while prioritizing our own desires. If He is our Lord, our focus must be on Him, not on ourselves.

But let’s be real: following God demands that you let go of your precious control, and that’s no walk in the park, Sister. Surrendering to God can range from mildly inconvenient, or it can be excruciating and painful.

Either way, it’s what we are called to do as Christians. 

His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9). 

Everything happens according to God’s will Bible verse

God has His plans and will ensure everything He wants happens. And if it doesn’t He knows how to work it out.

Ephesians 1:11 

11 All things are done according to God’s plan and decision; and God chose us to be his own people in union with Christ because of his own purpose, based on what he had decided from the very beginning. 12 Let us, then, who were the first to hope in Christ, praise God’s glory!

Doing what God says for me to do should be easy because of the fact that He’s wise beyond all comprehension and all things are one according to HIS plans and HIS will.

Here is proof of His wisdom. God sees past what we see and knows all. Look at the scripture from Isaiah: 

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

When I reflect on that verse and the one prior, Following God’s guidance feels a bit easier. It reassures me of His infinite wisdom and that He’s fully capable of running the universe without me. Don’t you agree? 

Obeying God is challenging when we are stubborn.

I don’t know about you, but I have so much trouble doing what God says because I am stubborn. We often let our desires and opinions cloud our judgment and lead us astray. 

In my definition, being stubborn means having a firm resolve to do what I want to do regardless of circumstances, impact on others, or leading of the Holy Spirit. 

This stubbornness can show up in different ways, such as refusing advice from Christian leaders, ignoring Bible teachings, or going against our better judgment. 

Then, enter the pride stage left.

When it takes over, we lose sight of the wisdom. Pride is a dangerous thing. 

“Pride goes before destruction,
    a haughty spirit before a fall.” Proverbs 16:18

When disobedience is in our lives, we are not doing what God says; we are acting in our own desires, which is pride. 

The struggle comes when our will clashes with His. But true peace is found in trusting that His plan is always better—even when we don’t understand it at the moment.

When I almost didn’t listen. 

Let me give you an example of the one time I got it right…almost. 

Let me give you some context for all this.

Years ago, I made a quick, unplanned stop at my local beauty supply store.

I didn’t really need anything urgent.  I was not looking for any life lessons on doing what God says, but I got one.

I simply thought I just might be in the mood to shampoo my hair later in the day, so I picked up some styling mousse.

Truthfully, it was one of the few times I didn’t have my kid (He was ten at the time) tagging along, and I felt a little mommy freedom.

You moms know how we relish those kid-free moments when they happen.

Anyway, it was nice to be untethered.  

Without real intention or resolution, I dashed into the beauty supply store and grabbed any mousse I could find.

No big deal.

She was crying at the Cash register!

Then, I headed straight to the register to check out. 

The girl behind it seemed distant; I could tell she didn’t want any interaction.

“How are you today?” I asked, rifling through my handbag and searching for my wallet.

I looked up and saw that she was crying – actually crying. 

Right there among all the wigs and beauty supplies!

My heart shattered into a million pieces for her.

I jumped into action (you know how we do) and reminded her God loved her and hadn’t forgotten her. 

We prayed.  She seemed embarrassed and apologized for the tears.

I said, “There is nothing wrong with crying. God made us to be able to cry.”

As I chatted with her, I prayed to the Lord for guidance.

“Should I give her my number?”  I wondered. I felt in my spirit like the answer was a resounding no.

Doing what God says is easy when you know He is telling you what to do or not to do. 

I got in my car and thought, “Man, she needs my number.”

I sat there a moment. Thinking. 

Trusting my instincts, I pressed the ignition button and drove toward home. 

On the drive home, I felt a strong urge to turn the car around and head back to the store to give her my number so I could help resolve her issue or at least provide some support.

Did God tell me to do that? No.

Around that time, I decided to pull the store’s number from the receipt. After digging it out of my purse, I was determined to give her my number. 

SHE NEEDED MY NUMBER!

Somewhat aware that it wasn’t what God wanted me to do, I prayed for the Holy Spirit to prevent me from straying from His plan.

A woman answered the phone.

Hmmm…It wasn’t her voice. 

I remember she seemed to be the only person in the small store. 

“Did I just talk to you?  I asked. “I was wearing a red dress.”

The person on the other end responded with confusion and a bit of frustration.

“Huh?” No, I don’t think so.”

“Is there anyone else there?” I prodded.

The response was a quick “No, why?”  I ended the call and said, “Never mind.”

I felt the Lord say in my heart, “Terri.  I order your steps.  You know My voice.  You did what I wanted you to do in that moment.”

Just so you know, God doesn’t speak to me all the time, but when He does, I truly recognize His voice. So, why was I getting things mixed up?

Are you ready for a real gut laugh now?

You’ll find it hilarious; I can’t blame you! 

It’s amusing in a sad, pitiful sort of way.

*Insert laughter*

I knew God didn’t want me to give that girl my number. In moments like those, when I’m consumed by my own stubbornness, doing what I want feels more important than doing what God says.

You would think the story would have ended there, right? 

Nope. 

I drive all the way back to the store, walk in, and look around for the girl.

Guess what:  she wasn’t there.

What is wrong with me? 

I probably looked like a shoplifter casing the joint because I was just wandering around searching for her.

The store clerk looked suspicious of me, and I didn’t blame her.   To play it off, I purchased an eyeshadow pencil.

One that I didn’t need.

That costs $6.00.

I felt God laughing all the way from heaven. 

Why was I so determined to do things my way?

Can you relate to that? 

I’m sure God was shaking His head, thinking, “This girl is a mess.”

Have you ever done something similar?

Have you ever tried to take the reins and do more than you needed because YOU wanted to do it? 

In your mind, it made sense to you.

Doing what God says can save us so much trouble because He knows how He wants circumstances to go. Our stubbornness can have us running in circles, calling beauty supply stores and other shenanigans.

Years ago, the Lord taught me that I could get in His way when I acted independently.

You can, too.

Even with the best intentions, we can “spring into action” and get TOTALLY in the way of His perfect plans.

So many times, I’ve given strangers rides and money and even invited them into my home.

It was the right thing to do in those moments because He was leading me to do it.  

However, with the girl at the beauty supply store, I knew I had done what I was supposed to do. 

All the other actions were not my doing what God said; they were my acting completely against my will. 

The lesson I must learn about doing what God says

I have got to remember that as much as God loves me, he doesn’t need me.

One of my favorite stories involves my oldest son, who was about five then.

He was playing softball on a sunny, beautiful day. He was so cute in his cap, glasses, and team shirt.

No one told me those kindergarten games had nothing to do with winning. Honestly, I think it was all about the orange slices for my kid.

Anyway, he was on one of the bases (again, looking so cute) when a ball came his way, and so did an opposing player. I looked over at my kiddo, and he was playing in the dirt.

All the action was coming his way, and he was playing in the dirt.

Sheesh!

It reminds me that God doesn’t require me to carry out His plans.

After all, He is God and will carry out His plans whether I’m doing what God says or playing in the dirt.

God can crack open heaven to give people exactly what they need at any given moment without my help or direction.

No, He doesn’t need any of us to do anything or help Him figure anything out.

We’re just blessed that He can use us—super blessed that He even wants to use us. 

Think how much time we would all save if we just listened to and obeyed Him the first time. If we would just do what God says and only what He says.

Oh well.  At least I have some new eye makeup…and a fresh lesson in allowing God to order my steps.   

The next time I’m in that situation, I pray that I’ll do what God says – and only what He says. Then, sit my butt down.

It’s all good. Jeremiah 7:23 is for big things and little ones.

“but I gave them this command: Obey me, and I will be your God and you will be my people. Walk in obedience to all I command you, that it may go well with you.”

Thanks for reading.

I hope it made you chuckle.  If I did, leave me a comment. Also, be sure to subscribe and share with your friends. :) It would mean a lot.

Who would have thought an eyeshadow pencil could teach me a life lesson?

You know I like my sermons. This is a good one!