Devotion 1: Releasing Control to the Wonderful Counselor

Lesson One • Wonderful Counselor

Devotion 1: Releasing Control to the Wonderful Counselor

Joanna Montgomery

I like to think of myself as easygoing, not afraid of change, and flexible in dealing with situations; but in truth, I am not. Whether my teenager is learning to drive, or I am supposed to delegate jobs to others, I struggle not to take matters into my own hands. The more I am invested in a situation, the more control I want to take.

Waiting is one of life’s greatest challenges, and taking control and rushing God’s perfectly timed steps throws us out of sync with His will. God will accomplish His purposes with or without us, but in our desire to control we miss the blessing of partnering with Him in His great work. I love Psalm 46:10, “Be still, and know that I am God.” It sounds pretty easy for about two minutes and thirty seconds. However, after that, I am expecting God to reveal my path! (Yup, I even want to control God. Ugh!)

I want to be in control so everything will turn out the way I envisioned, and nothing will get messed up. (This is only in my head because when I handle things on my own, I often make a mess.) I am thankful when I face challenges so I know I am not alone. I have a Wonderful Counselor to guide and direct me and teach me that I am not sufficient – if I will seek Him.

Christ is our Wonderful Counselor. Looking closely at those two seemingly simple words, we find depth not apparent at first glance. Wonderful represents marvelous, to excite wonder or admiration; to surprise; something strange; astonishing, exceeding natural power – Supernatural. Counselor means guide, director, instructor. The One who has all the answers, but must be sought for. We will receive answers from our Wonderful Counselor; however, we must seek those answers in His Word and through the Holy Spirit. We are promised if we do seek the truth, we will find it. Matthew 7:7 says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.”

Much of my impatience and frustrations are revealed through situations I do not really know how to handle; and yet, I want to be used by God to help others. The only way for me to be helpful in any situation is to fully rely on God, understand and share His counsel not mine. The only way to find His direction is to diligently study the Bible. I cannot control anything. I can only be available to allow God to use me for His work. I have to run to Him and seek refuge to be of any value. Refuge in God is interactive. God becomes our refuge by counseling us on how to walk in the way of life and not death, but we must seek His counsel in the Word. Psalm 119:24 adds, “Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.”

This season, if you find yourself raising an independent teenager, helping a relative struggling in her marriage, reaching a friend tied up in addiction, or wanting wise counsel for a co-worker whose life seems to be coming apart, remember, you are not alone. You do not face the challenges alone. Seek counsel from Jesus our Wonderful Counselor who loves us! In 1 John 4:19, we are reminded, “We love because he first loved us.”