Reflecting on That Middle Section
- Debbie Christopher
- 6 hours ago
- 2 min read
Reflecting on That Middle Section~By: Debbie Christopher
As I was starting to fill in my 2026 prayer planner and calendar, this idea hit me right from the start on the January page.
In the box labeled ‘I am worried about’:, I wrote, “Things that MIGHT happen far into the future.”
Now, let me ‘proudly’ say that after years of experience I’ve learned (for the most part) not to freak out when sudden, unexpected circumstances pop up. Rather, I’ve learned to trust the Lord and respond by saying, “Okay, God” rather than “Whoa, God”* (see below). Matter of fact, the last time a huge Uh-Oh popped up, I actually said to myself, “Okay, Lord, help me through this adventure” as I prepared to spend the night at a DFW gate by myself!
And…I’m making progress in not stressing over ways to deal with problematic upcoming situations that I ‘should’ prepare for from every possible angle—you, know, just in case.
But, strangely enough, I’m still far from not creating stress by trying to think of possible answers to prayers about future events —either a year or two out or even further possibilities that may need prayer—-yes, spending time working through possible answers is quite distracting as it often hits while I’m praying, and I find myself completely getting off track! Who knows exactly what I’m talking about?
I was trying to figure out how to word all these thoughts in that small allotted space in my calendar and just couldn’t get them out of my head. Why have I progressed so well in one area and still struggle so much in other similar areas?
As I contemplated all of this, I noticed another box on that January page—‘What other things are on my heart to share with you, God…’ I took time to reflect on my life verse I have shared so often… Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
Proverbs 3:5-6 NKJV
It dawned on me that it is the middle section of that passage I continue to struggle with. Why in the world is this even an issue? Do I really think I can help God out by solving potential problems before they even arise? Really, Debbie?!?!
So, in that box, I wrote, “I struggle with the ‘lean not on your own understanding part!”
Lean not on your own understanding…
Dictionary.com defines the phrase lean not to mean: not believing in, not betting on, not counting on, not looking to, not relying on… I think the point is clearly made. Obviously, I should not believe in, count on, look to, rely on how I might solve an unforeseen problem… ya, think?
Reflecting on my January calendar page really helps me catch myself when I’m ‘going there’, and I quote ‘my’ verse, ‘laugh’, breathe, and make myself move on to think differently!
Don’t forget that middle section!
~Debbie
*Taken from Chapter 6:
Sharon Czerwien and Kelly Dean, CORE:Biblical Principles for when Life gets Bumpy, Maitland, FL: Xulon Press. 2021
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