I never thought of myself as having control issues—until I got married. Somehow blending two lives into one exposes how much we want things our way. From the way I like the covers tucked (or not tucked) at night to how we made decisions, I wanted things done in a way that made me feel comfortable. Exposing my need for control, God revealed how this issue ultimately came from a lack of trust in Him.

Trust is never easy. But it’s even harder when things look bleak. We’re willing to obey as long as we have a vague idea of the outcome. But God wants to know our response when we’re hiding in a cave with nowhere to go.

Zealous for the Lord, Elijah had boldly proclaimed to a self-indulgent king that the rain would fall only at his (Elijah’s) command (1 Kings 17:1). What should have been a moment of spiritual triumph became testing grounds for Elijah’s faith. With his life in danger, all he had was a directive from the Lord.

Not knowing what each day would hold, Elijah learned that life itself proceeds from what God speaks (Numbers 23:19). He had to trust that God would take care of him no matter how circumstances looked (Isaiah 41:10). Giving up the need to know, Elijah discovered . . .

• wherever God directs, His provision follows (1 Kings 17:3-6).

• God uses circumstances to move us within His will (vv.7-9).

• our trust and subsequent obedience bring life to those in need (vv.14-16).

We want God to be our provision and hope, but sometimes we insist on moving only when we feel comfortable. The very essence of trusting His ways means realizing they’re not our own (Isaiah 55:8-9).