Meta Description
A faith-filled devotional about choosing God even when obedience feels hard, surrendering control, overcoming fleshly desires, and discovering peace through trusting God’s way instead of our own.
There’s a certain kind of strength you only learn when choosing God feels difficult.
It’s easy to say “Yes, Lord” when life feels peaceful, prayers are answered quickly, and everything seems to fall into place. But the real test of faith — the place where spiritual growth truly begins — is when obedience stretches you beyond your comfort zone.
I can be honest and say this: choosing God was not always my first choice.
Yes, I grew up in church like many of you. I knew the songs. I knew the Scriptures. I knew how church worked. But if I’m being honest, my heart wasn’t fully there.
I still wanted to do my own thing.
I wasn’t doing anything bad or harmful — I just enjoyed what I enjoyed. I loved the music I grew up on. I loved dancing, laughing, and simply enjoying life. None of that felt wrong to me at the time. It was just where I was.
But even while I was doing my own thing… God was still choosing me.
When Church Wasn’t My Focus
I remember sitting in church with my body present but my mind somewhere else entirely.
The preacher would be speaking, and instead of listening, my thoughts were focused on everything else:
“What time are we getting out?”
“What am I going to eat?”
“What do I need to do tomorrow?”
I wasn’t ready to choose God yet — even though He was gently pulling on my heart.
Looking back now, I realize something powerful:
God never stopped calling me, even when I wasn’t paying attention.
Sometimes choosing God doesn’t begin with excitement — it begins with resistance.
Somebody Was Praying for Me
When I look back at that season of my life, I know someone had to be praying for me.
And honestly, I was praying for myself too — quietly, inconsistently, but sincerely.
Something felt missing. Something felt incomplete.
I wanted to be closer to God, but I didn’t know how to let go of what felt familiar.
That’s the part many people don’t talk about — letting go of familiar things can feel harder than we expect. Choosing God often means choosing the Spirit over what feels comfortable.
When God Wanted Surrender, but I Wanted Control
There was a season when I felt God leading me in a direction that didn’t make sense to me.
Everything in me wanted to control the outcome. I remember praying:
“Lord, this doesn’t make sense. Why this way?”
And His response was quiet but clear:
“Trust Me.”
Choosing God meant surrendering my need to understand everything. It meant believing even when I couldn’t see the full picture.
And honestly, that season revealed parts of my heart I didn’t even know were there — especially my desire to stay in control.
But obedience opened doors I didn’t even know existed.
Choosing God in the Small Moments
Sometimes we think choosing God only happens in big life decisions.
But I’ve learned something important:
Choosing God often happens in small, quiet moments.
There was a time when I felt irritated and stretched thin. Everything inside me wanted to react emotionally. My flesh said:
“Just respond how you feel.”
But instead, I paused.
I breathed.
I chose peace.
That small decision changed everything.
Choosing God doesn’t always look dramatic — sometimes it looks like silence instead of reacting, grace instead of frustration, or patience instead of control.
When I Finally Said Yes
There came a quiet moment — no drama, no big announcement — where I simply surrendered.
I said:
“Lord, I want You in my life. I don’t want to go back. Hold my hand every step of the way.”
And He did.
Choosing Him changed everything.
Not instantly. Not perfectly.
But deeply.
Choosing Him Changed My Heart
I won’t pretend it was easy.
My habits didn’t want to change overnight. My flesh didn’t always agree with obedience. But God gave me something greater:
Peace.
Real peace.
The kind that doesn’t depend on circumstances.
My faith began growing stronger day by day.
And now — the same person who once struggled to stay focused in the Word — can encourage others.
That’s what God does.
He transforms.
Why I’m Sharing This
Because someone reading this is exactly where I used to be.
You’re still doing your own thing.
Still wrestling.
Still feeling that gentle tug from God.
Maybe you’re not ready yet.
And that’s okay.
But hear me clearly:
God is choosing you even now.
And when you choose Him back, your life will never be the same.
There’s a song by Forest Frank that says, “Your way’s better.”
And I agree.
We think our way makes sense. But God’s way brings peace, growth, and purpose beyond what we could ever imagine.
Scriptures for When Choosing God Feels Hard
📖 Luke 9:23 — “Let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily…”
📖 Isaiah 1:19 — “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.”
📖 Romans 13:14 — “Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ…”
📖 Romans 8:13 — “…if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”
Encouragement for You
You are not weak for struggling.
You are growing.
Choosing God may feel difficult at times, but it always leads to strength.
God sees every step you take toward Him — even the small ones.
And those steps matter.
✨ More Encouragement & Prayer Support
If this message encouraged you, you can find more faith-filled content in my Encouragement Corner, where I share messages designed to strengthen your walk with God and remind you that you are never alone.
If you’re looking for prayer and devotional support, visit the Prayers & Devotionals page for Scripture-based prayers and reflections created to help you stay encouraged, grounded, and spiritually strong during every season of life.
Reflection Questions
🤍 Where is God asking me to trust Him right now?
🤍 What areas of my life am I still trying to control?
🤍 How can I choose obedience in small daily decisions?
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for loving me even when I struggled to choose You. Help me trust Your way even when it feels hard or unfamiliar. Teach me to surrender control, follow Your guidance, and walk in obedience daily. Strengthen my faith when choosing You feels difficult, and remind me that Your way is always better.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Ty
Encouraged by Faith 🤍
This is so relatable. It’s easy to talk to God and acknowledge the good things that are happening. But what’s even more important is having Faith and talking with God with things aren’t so good. We have to trust God is in control even if we are scared, anxious, sad, etc.
I love this blog post. It really hit home for me! Keep up the great work sis!
When I chose God, I didn’t realize I was also choosing healing, growth, and a new heart. He met me in my broken places and began restoring me gently. My anger turned into grace. My confusion turned into purpose. Choosing God was the best decision I ever made because He changed me in ways I never could on my own. Keep up the good work!