Anxious about a health issue my teenage niece had, I was relieved when I heard of a promising natural remedy. My sister, however, felt it might cause side effects, based on her daughter’s medical history. I wanted to argue but refrained. No matter how concerned I was about my niece, I had to defer to her mum’s authority.

Later, a doctor told us, “That natural remedy would’ve caused a strong allergic reaction.” When it comes to my niece’s welfare, her mum truly knows what’s best for her, in ways that I don’t.

I recall an incident when I was anxious about other loved ones, asking God to help them in the way I thought they needed to be helped. I remember that God, who loves them and knows them far better than I do, knows best.

In Isaiah 55:9, God says, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways.” The Hebrew word here for ways (derek) refers to the moral actions and behaviour of God, contrasted with that of wicked people. God’s wisdom and righteous ways are far above ours. What happens in a loved one’s life may not be what we want, but we can trust Him to work in their lives as He sees best.

Let’s keep entrusting those we love to God by presenting “[our] requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). He alone is perfect in love, mercy, wisdom, and sovereignty (Isaiah 55:3, 7-11).

 Adapted from an article by Karen Huang

REFLECT & PRAY

What concerns do you have for a loved one? How can you surrender your understanding of the situation to God’s wisdom?

Dear God, I entrust my loved ones into Your care. You alone know what’s best for them. Amen.