One thing we can know for sure is that God has our best interest at heart. When He says do something or don’t do something else, it is for our good. Proverbs 3:11 says, “My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.”

Growing up, I didn’t always like to do what my parents said. There were times where I had other ideas and my ideas were better – or so I thought. I know it was the same for my three boys. Growing up I know for sure that my “wisdom and ways” and my “guidance and guidelines” were not always their first choice. There were times where they had better ideas – or so they thought. Looking back, I know that my parents always had my back. They had my best interest at heart. And my wife and I always had our boys’ backs. Their best interests were our first concern.

How much more true this is with our heavenly Father. God has our best interest at heart – always. When He tells us to be wise and do certain things and live a certain way, it is always for our best; we never have to wonder. We don’t need to overthink it. And when He tells us not to do something or not to live a certain way, we can know that He is not trying to “restrict” our freedom or invade our space. On the contrary, He is wanting to bless our lives and see us flourish.

Why do we fight God so often? In what areas are you bristling under the Lord’s leadership in your life? If we just step back a moment and remember that His ways are always best and always wise, we would serve ourselves well to be quick to obey – and obey completely. God loves you. God loves me. His ways are always best. May we be quick to heed and fast to follow.