Last week didn’t exactly go according to my plan. I’m guessing yours didn’t either. And if you’re anything like me, you really love your plan (especially checking off your to-do list) and it’s not always easy to let your expectations go.

But that’s where I found myself. Breathing in and breathing out, trying to hold onto hope in the midst of discouragement. Let me tell you, it’s hard sometimes.

You see, not only did I miss a writer’s retreat this week that I’d eagerly been anticipating, but I received a rejection letter (albeit, a nice one) from an agent. I’d waited so long for news and the answer I got was disheartening. What was I to do now?

Over the next few days, one word kept popping up everywhere.

Lean.

A devotional I read talked about giving your burdens to Jesus and leaning into Him, releasing your fears and frustrations to the only One mighty enough to conquer them.

Then a friend sent me a message later that same day, encouraging me with a quote about leaning into Jesus and resting in His presence.

I heard it in songs. I read it in Scripture.

Lean. Rest. Be supported.

Okay, Lord, you have my attention.

Something broke free inside of me then. Here I was, wearied from striving so hard and worrying over the unknown while God wasn’t asking me to carry any of it. He wanted me to lean on Him for support, for reassurance, and for direction.

As Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “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.”

Ah, a straight path. Sounds nice, right? How I long for that. However, it seems more often than not, the road twists every which way and is full of hills and valleys. I think God designs our lives that way. Yes, he promises to direct our steps, but the journey is hard for a reason.

It often sends us to our knees.

And that’s okay, dear friends. That’s not a bad place to be. Our great need, though, is no match for our great Savior.

If you’re feeling discouraged or hopeless or in need of some fresh direction today, lean into the One who is mightier than our weaknesses and worries. In our disappointments, He is our unwavering joy. In the unknown, He is still sovereign. We can always rely on Him.

His name be praised. Don’t be afraid to lean.