But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “you are my God.” My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.” Psalm 31:14-15 NIV

As a writer, have you ever felt frustrated with the timing of certain events in your life? Maybe you had planned to go on a writer’s retreat, but something unexpected came up and you had to cancel. Or maybe you were certain that by now you would have many publications under your belt, but you are still querying agents and facing a lot of rejections. Or maybe the waiting game is getting under your skin, and you are just plain frustrated. I can attest that all of this is normal and has happened to me along the way. Honestly, the only thing that has helped me in situations like these is to release “my times” into God’s hands. He is sovereign over each of my days and understands how each puzzle piece of my life “fits.”

I was reminded of God’s perfect timing this past summer on a road trip to see my recently widowed mother who lives a few states away. My oldest daughter went with me, and we had planned a full day: brunch with my brother and his family, shopping, and an evening musical show in a town about an hour away.

I woke up early to go for a walk, and I came back expecting to shower and get dressed for our big day. As I walked up the driveway, I noticed I had a flat tire. Instant panic set in. How would we accomplish all our plans? How would I drive back the next day? I had no idea how to change a tire. Who could help me?

I must admit that I had a small pity party. Why me? Why this? Why now? I took a deep breath and prayed. In that moment, God reminded me of a verse that declares that he ordained every one of my days before I was even born. He is Sovereign even over my inconveniences.

I walked inside and told my daughter the news. She handled it like a pro. In a few seconds, she had the name of a repair shop that was five minutes away. I called, and they could get me in immediately. I contacted my brother, and he changed the flat tire to the spare. Once I arrived at the shop, they had it fixed in 45 minutes. I was shocked, very grateful, and humbled for the help God had sent me in my time of need. There wasn’t even a need to change most of the plans we had made for the day.

I tell you this story to remind you that just as God is Sovereign over flat tires and other inconveniences, he is also Sovereign over writing disappointments and even bigger hurts in our lives.

Will you join me today in releasing “your times” into his mighty hands? He knows us inside and out and he sees what we cannot see. Just like my flat tire, he can orchestrate a divine reversal and implement an amazing solution in an instant.

Let’s pray for patience together as we wait on him to work his marvelous plan out in our lives.

Digging Deeper

• Psalm 139:16
• Matthew 6:8

Mindy Baker resides in Indiana where she is a high school Spanish teacher. She is the author of Mouse’s Christmas Gift, Zonderkidz 2018, and has contributions in multiple Guideposts publications. Her middle grade novel Soledad and the Curse of the Phoenix will be published in November 2025 with Chicken Scratch Books. You can connect online with Mindy here. She also has a mini-magazine for parents, grandparents, and other caregivers of children. You can sign up to receive it here.