Learning to be Led by the Spirit of God

The Struggle: Wanting to Figure It All Out Ourselves

As human beings, especially in a world that praises independence, self-reliance, and control, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking we have to do it all and know it all. We take pride in figuring things out on our own. But that mindset can become a spiritual stumbling block. Pride is usually at the root if the things I struggle with for sure.

Even as believers, we sometimes try to live the Christian life in our own strength—striving to make things work, fix what’s broken, or plan every detail of our future.

But God never intended for us to live that way.

We were created to walk in close fellowship with Him, depending on His wisdom and being led by His Spirit. When we lean on our own understanding, we limit what God can do through us and for us.

Signs You Might Be Operating in Your Own Strength

Sometimes we don’t even realize we’ve started relying on ourselves more than God. I call it -Erin trying to “drive the bus” when I know I need to let God drive! Here are a few clues:

• You feel constantly anxious, overwhelmed, or burnt out.

• You're trying to make decisions quickly just to get out of discomfort.

• You pray—but only after you've already made your plan.

• You focus more on what "makes sense" than on what God might be saying.

• You feel the weight of everything depending on you.

These are signals. They’re not meant to shame us, but to lovingly draw us back to trust—back to that place where God carries the load and guides the way.

The Difference Between Your Flesh and the Spirit of God

One of the most important things we can learn in our faith journey is how to recognize what’s coming from us (our logic, emotion, or flesh) and what’s coming from God (His Spirit).

Let’s compare:

Leaning on Self

Urgent, fearful decisions

Constant need for control

Relying on logic only

Burnout, exhaustion

Obsession with results

Led by the Spirit

Peaceful confidence, even in waiting

Willingness to surrender outcomes

Walking by faith and obedience

Grace-filled strength and joy

Focus on faithfulness and trust

Romans 8:6 tells us: “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.”

If what you’re feeling leads to fear, pressure, confusion, or panic—it may not be from God. Remember, God is NOT the author of chaos. But if it brings peace, clarity, and a sense of stillness—even when you don’t have all the answers—it’s likely the Spirit. Often I will pray for discernment and clarity.

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." — Proverbs 3:5–6

How to Be Led by the Spirit More in Everyday Life

The good news is: You can be led by the Spirit of God. And it’s not complicated—it’s about relationship, humility, and surrender. I used to view surrender as a negative but now as I grow in my walk with God, I realize that to surrender to God is the ultimate freedom.

Here’s how to grow in this:

Surrender Daily

Start your day with surrender. Not just a quick prayer, but a heart posture that says: “Lord, not my will today, but Yours. I don’t want to lean on what I think is best—I want to follow You.”

Even if you have plans, invite Him into every part of your day. Ask Him to lead your thoughts, conversations, and decisions. Ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit daily.

Practice Listening, Not Just Talking- this one I am ALWAYS working on daily.

Prayer isn’t just about speaking to God—it’s about being still and listening.

You can ask:

• “Lord, what do You want to show me today?”

• “Is there something I’m missing?”

• “What’s Your wisdom for this situation?”

Then… pause. Wait. Sometimes He speaks through a scripture, a thought, a nudge, or peace (or lack of it) in your spirit.

Get to Know His Voice Through the Word

God will never contradict His Word. The more time you spend reading and meditating on Scripture, the more clearly you’ll discern His voice.

As Jesus said in John 10:27: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.”

Knowing His voice is a process—but the more time you spend with Him, the easier it gets.

Pay Attention to the Fruit

The Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23).

If a decision, relationship, or situation causes you to drift away from that fruit, step back. Ask:

“Is this really from God?”

His guidance may stretch you, but it will never bring confusion or fear. His voice leads to peace—even when He’s asking you to step into the unknown.

Don’t Rush God

Sometimes we try to “help God out” by rushing ahead. We get impatient, thinking if we don’t act now, we’ll miss out—or that maybe God needs a little push. But divine timing matters. Waiting doesn’t mean God is silent—it often means He’s preparing something better than we imagined.

Remember Sarah in Genesis 16? God had promised her and Abraham a child, but when the promise took longer than expected, Sarah took matters into her own hands. She told Abraham to sleep with her servant Hagar to produce an heir. The result? A child was born, but so was a host of complications—jealousy, division, and generations of conflict.

“So after Abram had been living in Canaan ten years, Sarai his wife took her Egyptian slave Hagar and gave her to her husband to be his wife.”

 — Genesis 16:3 (NIV)

That moment of impatience created a ripple effect that impacted not just her household, but history. It’s a sobering reminder: when we rush ahead of God, we risk stepping outside His perfect will.

But the good news? God’s promises still stand. Even after the detour, He fulfilled His word and gave Sarah a son, Isaac—at the right time.

“Is anything too hard for the Lord? I will return to you at the appointed time next year, and Sarah will have a son.”  — Genesis 18:14 (NIV)

God's timing may not match our expectations, but it's always best. Instead of rushing, we can trust that He is working behind the scenes in ways we can’t yet see.

“Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” — Psalm 27:14 (NIV)

“The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” — Lamentations 3:25–26 (NIV)

Let Sarah’s story remind us: waiting isn’t wasting—it’s trusting. Let God be God. He is never late.

Reflection

Am I trying to carry something God never asked me to carry?

Where have I been relying more on logic than on faith?

What decisions do I need to stop rushing and start praying over?

Am I making room for the Holy Spirit to speak, or am I too distracted?

When was the last time I truly felt led by God’s Spirit?

The most powerful life isn’t the one where we know all the answers—it’s the one where we know the One who does.

Being led by the Spirit of God is a daily invitation to walk in peace, purpose, and partnership with the One who sees the whole picture.

You don’t have to figure it all out. You don’t have to do it in your own strength. God doesn’t want us to do it on our own. He wants us to turn to Him daily, hourly, and always.

Once we repent and turn to Christ for salvation and become part of the heavenly family, we are never alone. God is with you. His Spirit is in you. And He will lead you—one step at a time.

In Christ!

Erin