Get Out of God's Way

One of the greatest challenges in the Christian life is not learning what God wants us to do—but learning how to step aside so that He can do the work. As Christians, we have always emphasized the authority of Scripture, the necessity of personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in sanctification. Yet even with these convictions, many believers unknowingly stand in God’s way. We block God from taking down the road he intends for us to travel.

We pray for guidance, but hold onto control. We ask God to change our lives, but cling to old habits. We want His will, but sometimes only if it matches ours.

Getting out of God's way isn’t weakness—it’s obedience. And it’s the doorway to true spiritual freedom.

Move!

Often, we stand in God’s way without realizing it. We do this when:

• We insist on our own plans instead of seeking His (Proverbs 3:5–6).

• We try to fix spiritual battles with fleshly solutions.

• We refuse to forgive or release past hurts.

• We allow anxiety to override trust.

• We carry burdens Jesus has already invited us to lay down (Matthew 11:28–30).

We are flawed people. As human beings, we are naturally inclined toward self-dependence because of our fallen nature. But Christian maturity means learning to rely on God’s wisdom instead of our own.

The first step to getting out of God’s way is acknowledging that our own strength and strategies are not enough. We need the Holy Spirit.

I Surrender!

Biblical surrender is not passivity or apathy. It’s not “doing nothing.”It’s giving God full access to everything we are and everything we hold.

Here we go, we emphasize personal responsibility in our walk with Christ. But responsibility doesn’t mean control. It means obedience!

The Apostle Paul put it plainly:

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless, I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.”— Galatians 2:20

To step out of God's way is to let Christ live through us.

This means:

• Submitting our desires to His will

• Confessing sin quickly so it doesn’t hinder our fellowship with God

• Letting the Holy Spirit lead, rather than relying on human effort

• Obeying Scripture, even when we don’t fully understand the outcome

Surrender is active. It’s choosing God’s way over our own, every day.

Is it Time Yet?

One of the biggest reasons we unintentionally block God’s work is impatience. We want immediate answers, immediate clarity, immediate change.

But God often works slowly and intentionally. We need to learn to wait on God and not try to step ahead of him because we just can not wait any longer.

In Scripture, Moses waited 40 years. David waited years to become king. Joseph endured betrayal and imprisonment before God elevated him.

When we trust His sovereignty, we can stop forcing our own plans.

Getting out of God’s way means saying:

“Lord, I trust You! Your timing more than my own. I trust Your methods above mine.”

It means believing He sees what we cannot see and knows what we cannot know.

Okay, I'm Listening!

Sometimes God is ready to speak but our lives are too loud.

We fill our days with schedules, screens, noise, and activity, leaving little room for prayer, meditation, or Scripture.

To get out of God’s way, we must:

• Establish quiet time and pray.

• Open His Word! How can you know what God wants for you, if you don't read His Word?

• Pray without rushing.

• Listen for the Spirit’s prompting

• Remove distractions that drown out His voice

When is the last time you put a priority on the daily reading of Scripture? God primarily speaks through His Word. When Scripture guides us, we are far less likely to interfere with God’s leading.

Help Me Grow, God!

We cannot force spiritual growth. It is not by willpower, self-help strategies, or personal effort. The Holy Spirit is the One who sanctifies us.

As Paul writes in Philippians 1:6:

“He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.”

Notice the emphasis: He will perform it. The Christian life is not about self-improvement; it’s about Spirit-led transformation. Its about conforming to the image of God.

When we remove obstacles like pride, fear, stubbornness and sin, God begins to do the deep heart work we cannot do ourselves.

Step Aside, Please!

Getting out of God’s way is not a loss of control. It is true surrender! It is the discovery of true freedom. It is trusting that the God who created you, redeemed you, and indwells you is capable of guiding your steps. If you love God, you will trust God and not try to find your way down unfamiliar paths.

When we surrender our plans, God reveals His plans. When we release our grip, God opens His hands. When we step aside, God steps in. God may take you on a road you never thought you would travel and blessings could be waiting for you there. Step aside, please. Let the Holy Spirit lead the way.

Lisa Mears,

Family Joy Life Coach,

Family Joy Ministries