I am currently pursuing my Master’s in Social Work and one of the requirements for graduation is to complete two internships at two different agencies. I remember when I had my first interview for my first field placement. It went great! They wanted me to complete my internship there and I wanted to be there. However, as I was preparing to start training, there was a conflict with one training date that I would not be able to attend. Due to me not being able to attend all of the trainings, I was unable to complete my internship there. Not only was I disappointed, I went into straight panic mode.
Let me give you some background information before I continue. At the university I attend we have an appointed advisor that assists us with finding internship opportunities. It is up to us to set up the interview and put in the work to obtain a placement.
Okay back to the story.
I had no idea what to do! I began to take matters into my own hands and began to start looking for opportunities. I emailed my advisor and sent her options of possible placements. She quickly reassured me that everything was going to be okay and that the university was against students looking for internships on their own. OOPS! My advisor began to advocate for me so that I could stay at that particular placement. I was so appreciative of her going hard for me, but her efforts with that agency didn’t work due to the agency’s policy. Long story short, I did find another opportunity and it ended up being an awesome placement for me.
GET TO THE POINT!
I was reminded of this situation because I am at a certain place in my life where I have to stand still and trust God. One of my best friends quoted the great Donnie McClurkin: “after you’ve done all you can, you just stand”. The problem comes in when we try to take control over situations that we have no control over. Remember I said I emailed my appointed advisor to inform her of more opportunities that I found. We do the same thing with God. We trust God to a certain extent and think that we can handle the rest. However, just like my advisor reminded me she was working on my behalf, God does the same for us. He never stops hustling for us. He will put in overtime to make sure we get everything we need! We have to learn to BE STILL and in the mist of waiting we have to stay focused on what is in front of us. I don’t know about you but I truly believe that God has a better handle on life than I do. The moment we try to take control of things is the moment we make matters worse.
Friend, I don’t know what you are dealing with or what promise you are waiting on to come to pass, but I pray that you will truly relinquish control back over to the hands of God. Things don’t always work out the way we want them to but they always work out the way God needs them to. He makes no mistakes and He knows exactly what He is doing. I pray that your faith and patience is made stronger while you are standing still. I pray that you receive the understanding that you have been searching for. I pray that when you look back at this storm you laugh and joy fills your heart. I pray that as you wait on God that you praise Him in advance. Fully trust in Him and watch what He will do.
With love,
Courtney Arlesia