God is Not a Backup Plan: Letting Him Lead First
Many of us have been there. We make our plans, chase our dreams, and move ahead with what we think is best. Then, when things don’t go the way we hoped—when life gets hard, doors close, or we hit a wall—we suddenly remember God. We turn to Him in prayer, asking for help, guidance, or a miracle.
But let’s pause for a moment and ask ourselves a hard question: Are we treating God as our backup plan?
Imagine planning a journey. You choose the route, pack your bags, and start driving. Somewhere along the way, you get lost. Then you pull out the GPS—or call someone for directions. That’s what we often do with God. We take off on our own, and only when we’re stuck do we call on Him.
But God is not meant to be the last option; He’s meant to be the first.
He’s not just a fixer of problems; He is the Guide who helps us avoid many problems in the first place. Proverbs 3:5-6 says it so clearly:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”
That verse doesn’t say after you’ve tried everything else, then trust God. It says to trust Him from the beginning.
Let’s be honest—sometimes we think we know better. We want to be in control. Or we’re simply too busy to pray, to seek God, or to wait for His direction.
Sometimes we believe that only the “big” issues in life need God’s involvement. So we move forward on our own with the small stuff, and only when things get serious do we invite Him in.
But God wants to walk with us in everything—not just the big moments or the crises.
When we put God first, everything changes. We make better choices, have clearer direction, and feel more peace even in uncertain times. Life doesn’t suddenly become perfect, but we are no longer walking alone.
Putting God first might look like:
- Starting your day with prayer and asking for His guidance
- Seeking His will before making decisions—big or small
- Reading the Bible regularly to know His voice and will
- Trusting Him even when the way forward isn’t clear
God loves us deeply, and He wants the best for us. But He won’t force His way into our lives. He waits to be invited—not just when things fall apart, but right from the beginning.
Let’s stop treating God as a backup plan. Let’s start by letting Him lead. You’ll be amazed how different life looks when He’s in the driver’s seat.
God is not your last resort. He’s your best guide. Start with Him, stay with Him, and trust Him all the way.
