No Strategy Will Ever Out Do The Lords Sovereignty

Maybe it’s time to confess — I’ve struggled with distinguishing my best from the Lord’s yes.

For a long time, I didn’t believe it was okay if I didn’t get it right the first time. I didn’t believe it was okay to not be one hundred percent sure I was making the best decision. And I certainly didn’t believe it was okay to give something a real shot, even if I might fail.

But it is.

Because He is with me.

I’ve been guilty of thinking I could disappoint God by not succeeding — as if His approval were tied to my performance.

Recently, I was working on a big project that wasn’t going smoothly. I felt myself craving validation — wanting proof that I was doing enough, that I was good enough.

I tried to prove to myself that I trusted the Lord by not overworking, but even as I “rested,” I still worried. My deadline loomed, the project felt impossible, and rejection after rejection had worn me down.

I felt like I was failing — disappointing people, disappointing myself — and in some small way, disappointing God.

But deep down, I knew that the heaviness I felt wasn’t mine to carry. There was Someone willing to bear it for me, if only I would let Him.

The Moment I Sat Still

One night, I sat in front of my laptop, staring at the screen, trying to process the mishaps of the week. I couldn’t find the words to write or the strategy to fix it.

And that’s when it hit me — no strategy will ever compare to the sovereignty of the Lord.

It’s humbling to admit when your faith feels small. When the storm that felt catastrophic turns out to be nothing more than a sprinkle — yet it still shook you.

I’ve bent to fear more times than I care to admit. I’ve panicked. I’ve worried myself sick.

But I’ve also seen the Lord’s hand extended to pull me out.

I’ve seen Him calm the winds and still the waters.

So the question remains: How do I handle this storm?

I don’t believe storms come so God can show off His power — His power doesn’t need to be proven.

I believe storms are designed to expose our faith and teach us His ways. They remind us who’s actually in control and who’s not.

Sometimes, if I don’t come in first or do something “the best,” I convince myself that I’ve disappointed God. After all, He gave me the opportunity, the resources, and the time — shouldn’t I have made it work?

But that’s not how His grace operates.

Trying isn’t failure.

Faithfulness isn’t measured in outcomes.

And God’s love doesn’t hinge on productivity.

I see this struggle especially in women — professionally, spiritually, emotionally. We push ourselves to perform, to prove, to perfect. And yet, even in our striving, God whispers:

“The greatest among you will be your servant.” — Matthew 23:11 (NIV)

Maybe we don’t need to be the best.

Maybe we just need to be faithful.

It’s not always easy to say, “I’m better than that.”

But it’s far more freeing to rest in the truth that God is greater than “that.”

And that’s enough.

with love & grace

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