Who’s Running the Show? Trusting God’s Plan Over Our Own

We all crave control—but what happens when our plans don’t go as expected? In this episode of the Made for More Ministries podcast, we’re diving into the struggle between our desire to lead and God’s invitation to trust. Through Scripture, real-life examples, and biblical truth, we’ll explore what it means to surrender control, how to recognize when we’re taking the reins, and why God’s path—though sometimes unexpected—is always better. Whether you’re in a season of waiting, striving, or second-guessing, this episode will encourage you to release your grip and walk forward in faith, knowing that God is ultimately running the show.

Transcript

Who’s Running the Show? Trusting God’s Plan Over Our Own

Introduction
Welcome to the Made for More Ministries podcast, where we dive deep into biblical truth to help you live with purpose, faith, and confidence in God's plan for your life. I’m so glad you’re here today because we’re going to talk about something that affects all of us: control.

Let me ask you—who’s running the show in your life? Is it you? Or is it God?

If we’re being honest, most of us struggle with this. We like to feel in control. We like to think that we are the ones steering our lives in the right direction, making the best decisions, and mapping out our future. But here’s the truth: no matter how much we plan, strive, or push forward, God is ultimately the one in control. And the sooner we recognize and embrace that, the more peace and fulfillment we’ll experience.

So today, let’s dig into what it means to surrender control to God, why it matters, and how we can practically live with trust in His perfect plan.

Are You Running the Show or Is God?

Let’s start with a foundational truth from Scripture:

“Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” — Proverbs 19:21

We can make all the plans we want, but at the end of the day, God's purpose is what stands. He has the final say. But even knowing this, we often try to take matters into our own hands.

• We plan our lives down to the smallest detail.
• We set goals, chase dreams, and expect things to unfold in a certain way.
• We try to manipulate outcomes to fit what we think is best.

But when we do this, we often end up exhausted, frustrated, and anxious—because we’re trying to carry a weight that was never meant to be ours in the first place.

Jesus makes it clear in Matthew 6:25-27 that worrying about our future does nothing to change it:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?”

When we insist on running our own lives instead of trusting God, we not only wear ourselves out but also rob ourselves of the peace and provision He wants to give us.

Trusting God's Path Even When It Looks Different Than Expected

Now, does trusting God mean we sit back and do nothing? Absolutely not. God wants us to take action, but that action should be rooted in faith and obedience, not fear and control.

There’s a balance between moving forward and surrendering control. A great example of this is found in the story of Abraham.

Abraham’s Journey of Trust

In Genesis 12:1, God told Abraham:

“Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.”

God didn’t give Abraham all the details—He just said, Go. And Abraham went, even though he had no idea what the full plan looked like.

Imagine if Abraham had said, “I need all the details before I take a step.” He would have never stepped into the incredible promises God had for him!

Abraham had moments of doubt, and at times he tried to take matters into his own hands—like when he and Sarah decided to have a child through Hagar instead of waiting for God’s promise (Genesis 16). But even in Abraham’s mistakes, God’s plan still prevailed.

That’s an important lesson for us. Even when we make missteps, God’s grace is greater than our failures. He can use our wrong turns to lead us back to His path.

Are You Aligning Your Decisions with God’s Will?

So how do we practically ensure that we are allowing God to lead, rather than taking the reins ourselves?

Here are three key questions to ask yourself when making decisions:

1. Does this decision align with God’s Word?
   God will never call you to do something that contradicts His Word. If you’re unsure, look to Scripture. Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
2. Do I have peace about this decision?
   In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul reminds us that when we bring everything to God in prayer, His peace will guard our hearts and minds. If you’re feeling anxious or unsettled, it may be a sign that you need to pause and seek God’s direction.
3. Am I trusting God with the outcome?
   We often want guarantees before we step out in faith. But Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us:
   “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.”

Trusting God doesn’t mean you’ll always see the whole path clearly. It means you take the next step in faith, believing that He will lead you where you need to go.

Don’t Overthink It—Just Walk in Faith

One of the biggest traps we fall into when surrendering control is overthinking everything.

• “Is this really what God wants me to do?”
• “What if I make the wrong choice?”
• “What if I step out in faith and fail?”

While it’s good to be thoughtful about our decisions, we don’t need to spend five minutes praying about whether we should turn left or right at a stop sign. Sometimes, we just need to move forward and trust that if we’re walking in faith, God will redirect us if necessary.

Think about Peter in Matthew 14:29-31. When Jesus called him to step out of the boat and walk on water, Peter didn’t overthink it—he stepped out. He only started to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus and focused on the storm around him.

The same is true for us. If we fix our eyes on Jesus, we don’t have to fear making the wrong move. He will guide us, sustain us, and even catch us when we fall.

God’s Path May Look Different, But It’s Always Better

One final thought: Sometimes, the destination God has for us is the same as what we desire—but the path to get there looks different than we expected.

• Maybe you thought you’d be in a certain job by now, but God has you in a season of preparation.
• Maybe you envisioned a certain relationship or family situation, but God is writing a better story.
• Maybe you thought things would be easier, but God is using challenges to grow your faith.

Remember Romans 8:28:

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Even when we don’t understand, even when the path is winding, even when it’s not what we would have chosen—God is still good. And His plan is still greater.

Closing Encouragement

Thank you for joining me today. I hope this message has encouraged you to let go of control and trust that God’s way is far better than your own.

So this week, I challenge you to do two things:

1. Ask yourself daily: Am I running the show, or am I letting God lead?
2. Pray for the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7), trusting that God is working everything for your good.

God is in control. You don’t have to have all the answers—you just need to walk in faith, one step at a time.

Until next time, keep seeking God’s will, trusting in His plan, and remembering that you are Made for More.