Our Story or His? - Encouragement for Today - March 06, 2026
Our Story or His?
STACY J. LOWE
Lee en español
“Then I heard the Lord asking, ‘Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?’ I said, ‘Here I am. Send me.’” Isaiah 6:8 (NLT)
My life is my own to live. My story to tell in my own way. Therefore, I clutch it tightly in my fist lest I lose my sense of control.
Except … that never seems to work. Even when I plan out how each day should go, it rarely unfolds as I imagine.
Could there ever be purpose in that?
The prophet Isaiah sure knew something about a change of plans. It started with a God-given vision, which he wrote about in Isaiah 6, where he saw the throne room of God. As he took in God’s holiness, Isaiah realized his own sinfulness and failure by comparison and was overwhelmed. But God loved him too much to leave him in that state. An angel took a burning coal from the altar and used it to cleanse Isaiah’s lips, declaring him forgiven.
Next, Isaiah “heard the Lord asking, ‘Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?’ [Isaiah] said, ‘Here I am. Send me’” (Isaiah 6:8).
What was it about that moment that made Isaiah so quick to commit? While we’re not privy to his thought process, I wonder if being saturated in God’s glory put everything into perspective. Perhaps he understood like never before that his life really wasn’t about him at all.
However Isaiah thought his story should go, knowing God had something for him to do suddenly mattered more. He took an unexpected detour straight into the heart of God's will.
So what about us? Does God have a story to tell through our lives as well? Scripture says He does (Psalm 71:15-16) — and that should color our approach to life.
You see, when we demand our own way, we bounce between happiness and despair as things do or don’t go as we hoped. In the midst of the chaos, it’s easy to miss out on how God wants to use us. But if God does indeed have a plan, there’s another option: We can loosen our grip.
Rather than stewing in the frustration of our unfulfilled agenda, we can lift our eyes to God’s bigger picture. We can open ourselves to His leading and view whatever may come — even if it’s nothing like we imagined — as an opportunity to partner with God to express His love to the world.
So whose story are we telling? It’s our choice to make. We can hold tightly to our own way and tell the story of us … or like Isaiah, we can turn our palms up in surrender and tell the story of God.
Father, help me loosen my grip on the dreams I hold and exchange them for whatever You have for me. Help me approach each day expecting You to show up and use me in some way. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS
There’s a version of you that shows up for everyone else — the strong one, the capable one, the “I’m fine” one. But there’s also the version of you who feels behind, who questions everything at 2 a.m., who wonders if she’s the only one still struggling to believe she’s called. Our new reflection journal resource, Unpolished, is designed for that version of you — the one you don’t post about. It helps you slow down long enough to pay attention to your real emotions; your real longings; and the small, sacred ways God has been trying to get your attention. Not when you’re polished, confident, or curated — but right here, in the unfiltered parts you try to keep quiet. You don’t owe the world a perfected story before you can be called. God always begins with the version of you that actually exists. Get your copy of the Unpolished journal, and take the first step toward all God has for you.
ENGAGE
For more from Stacy J. Lowe, you can connect with her over on Instagram.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
Micah 6:8, “No, O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (NLT).
As humans, we tend to complicate and overthink God’s will for us. But it’s quite clear in scriptures like Micah 6:8: Each moment He gives is an opportunity to choose righteousness, love, and humility. In doing so, we can’t go wrong!
Will you commit to live today open-handed, reflecting God’s goodness and mercy? What might that look like for you? We’d love for you to share about it in the comments.
© 2026 by Stacy J. Lowe. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
