Theresa and her husband, Roger, along with their five sons, began attending Lakes Community Chapel about ten years ago. It has been a joy to get to know their family and to be a part of their lives. (Roger & Theresa have even become “pug lovers”. They became the proud owners of Carlos, one of our pug puppies, in 2009, but that is another story.) We are blessed to have Roger & Theresa in our church, as they are committed followers of Jesus, serving Him in ministry in the church and in the community. It all began with a commitment to begin an intentional discipleship process in a small group several years ago. During this process, Roger and Theresa went through a very difficult season of life. Out of their experiences, Theresa began her writing and speaking ministry, and last year, she published her first book, Growing Strong in the Storm. I am excited to introduce Theresa Salazar to you, and I have asked her to share what God is teaching her from the book of Proverbs, as she strives to live her life as a Woman of Wisdom.
Theresa is pictured here by the Sea of Galilee in 2015. Roger & Theresa participated in America’s Keswick’s Victorious Life 2015 tour of the land of Israel: In the Footsteps of Jesus.
Many of us have heard the old saying, “No one plans to fail. They just fail to plan.” Planning is important to success and vital to being effective in our endeavors. But planning is not enough if we are not “plugged in” to the one who knows the plans for our lives.
We are told in Proverbs 16:3 to, “Commit your work to the LORD, and your plans will be established.” This sounds like such a simple command but many people fail to find satisfaction in their life because they focus on what they want to do rather than seeking for what God would have them do. I spent many years striving for what I believed was success in my career and with my family but always felt like something was missing. Something was missing – God.
The Book of Proverbs is filled with many instructions for how to live life. We are given instructions on how to train up a child in Proverbs 22:6. We learn the attributes of a truly attractive woman in Proverbs 31. In fact, the beginning of this wisdom-filled book sets the tone for everything that comes after. We read in Proverbs 1:2-7,
“To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth – Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
We should strive to study and learn. We should seek counsel from the one source of all truth as we make our plans if we want those plans to succeed.
God has a plan for each of us. His plan is a good plan and one that is meant to prosper us. We know this because scripture tells us so in Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Why do so many of us fail to seek His plan as we walk through this journey we call life?
I was guilty of working my own plan for many years. I never found true success or satisfaction in my own plans. I never felt complete or safe until I learned to trust in God’s plan for my life. I remember the day I truly submitted to His plan and wish I could tell you the clouds parted, the sun shone through, and the birds sang. It didn’t happen like that but there was a great and wonderful change. That change happened in me because I submitted to the one authority over all and trusted Him to be with me no matter what struggles this life may bring.
We should not be surprised when life brings us struggles. In fact, we are told there will be trials and tribulations. Jesus told his disciples in John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Wow – He has overcome the world. He knows the plans for our lives including the trials and tribulations. He promises that we can find peace in Him.
Remember, He is the one who hung the stars and moon. He knows every bird of the air and fish in the sea. He placed each grain of sand on the shore and knew each of us before we were born. He molded and shaped us for a wonderful and mighty purpose. Our job is to seek Him and serve Him. Live your life according to the instructions in Psalm 37:5-6, “Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday.” He is in control. He always has been and always will be. Seek Him and let Him direct your plans and you will prosper.
Theresa Salazar is a Christian professional woman with over twenty years of management experience. She thanks the Lord Jesus Christ for the peace she’s found by trusting Him along life’s journey. She shares her story in her book, “Growing Strong in the Storm”. Born and raised in South Dakota and Texas, she now lives in Medford, NJ where she and her husband have raised five sons. She is a member of Lakes Community Chapel and credits the strong Bible teaching of her church for the growth she has experienced in all areas of her life: her faith, her marriage, her family, and her career. For more information about Theresa’s ministry and to order her book, please visit her website, For A Season.