It is as important to learn when to stand down as it is when to stand up.

For the past 6 weeks I have been up and down in my health with one mishap after another. This past week was my final speaking engagement for the year. It’s also one of my favorite audiences, women in recovery. After weeks of praying, I had not yet received God’s message for them but sometimes He likes last minute messages so I wasn’t really sweating it.

Three days before the event I twisted and pulled a muscle in my back. Back to bed I go. A place I’m sick to death of currently.

I began to press into prayer and the Word but sensed a shift that might be a God adjustment. I let the sweet woman of God, and friend, know what was happening and that she might begin to pray about a plan B, just in case, and I promised to touch base with her the next day.

As I awoke the pain was far worse but after some time in prayer I felt it was improving. I had texted her a question and she asked how I was doing. I gave her a report and told her to feel free to make any adjustments that gave her peace and calm. I didn’t want her worried.

She explained how the night before after finding out about my predicament that she asked the Lord if she was to give the message. If so, He would have to give it to her. I had also just asked the Lord in my prayer closet if I was to press through and ‘GO” or “Stand down.” She received the message and had written it out in 45 minutes. I called to let her know I had never received a message which I had not previously mentioned to her. We knew it was her assignment rather than mine.

My response was simple, “Girl, go give the message!”

I knew to stand down.

Listen, it is so important for us to swallow pride. I’m sure my friend would have let me come on but God knew what the hearts in the room needed….and this time…it wasn’t me.

You have to be okay with standing down. Pride can never overrun Gods plan and we can never allow any personal wants to trump the desires of God. We must always remain flexible. He has every right to shift things as He sees need.

It was so glorious to see God’s hand move on behalf of the ladies, my friend, and myself.

Sometimes friends, it actually hurts when God uses you (literally)…but He is also finding out who He can trust in any given moment to simply obey…

Sometimes obedience requires us to stand down. I am not the answer to every assignment. One of our greatest lessons will always be when to step up and when to stand down.