Summer is approaching and chances are you’re planning for the hottest season of the year. Vacations, pool time, backyard barbecues, carnivals, fairs and festivals are all part of what makes an epic summer. It’s also a time to trust God even more with the plans you make for your family this summer.
Seek God First Before Making Summer Plans
Summer is a season of rest, a gift from God, and we should plan fun things to do. However, problems can arise when we do not consult God first in prayer, plan activities indiscriminately, or assume that any door that opens is good.
We can make plans to do a, b, and c, but God prefers that we do x, y, and z. For example, you can plan vacations, spend days at the pool, and get together with friends. Instead, God may be calling you to volunteer somewhere, spend more time in your Bible and prayer, and begin planning the business he is calling you to start. It is therefore important to seek God before making plans.
Invite God into your family vacation decisions
When we think of vacations, we think of the places we go, the photos we take, and the memories we create. However, for the Christian family, the holidays are a way to grow closer to God together, make wise decisions, and create memories that strengthen both family bonds and faith.
When we invite God into our family vacation decisions, it doesn’t just mean asking for a daytime or afternoon flight so we don’t have to get everyone up for red-eye. This means approaching planning with humility, gratitude, and trust, asking the Lord for His guidance on where to go, how to shape and manage priorities, and how to help your family grow closer to Him along the way.
Why include God in vacation planning?
God is interested in every aspect of our lives and wants to be involved in it all.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not rely on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” (Proverbs 3:5-6NLT)
When we invite God into our travel plans, we recognize:
● He knows what your family really needs.
● It can protect you from bad choices, unnecessary stress and wasted resources.
● He can use his free time to refresh the hearts and souls of everyone in your family.
Finding peace when plans change unexpectedly
There’s nothing worse than making plans, especially vacation plans, only to have them change unexpectedly. No matter how much we try to plan and prepare, things happen. It’s in times like these that it’s hard to find peace because you don’t know what to do or what’s going to happen next. Finding peace in these moments doesn’t mean we don’t acknowledge our feelings; it means remaining calm as we do.
It’s easy for all emotions to arise at once, such as frustration, disappointment, anxiety, anger, and grief. In these moments we need to pause, take a deep breath, name what happened, acknowledge our emotions, and avoid immediate conclusions. Once you’ve done these things, it’s easier to take action on what needs to happen next.
This is a great time to remember a few verses that will help ease your frustration and anxiety.
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience the peace of God, which surpasses all we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7, NLT)
“Commit all your cares and worries to God, for He cares for you. » (1 Peter 5:7NLT)
“For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power and love and self-discipline. » (1 Timothy 7NLT)
Balancing rest, work and spiritual growth this summer
It can be difficult to balance rest, work, and spiritual growth during the summer. The slower pace of summer invites us to rest and recharge; Yet our daily responsibilities don’t disappear because the season is here. Not forgetting that we also want to continue to grow spiritually. Sometimes it feels like a tug-of-war between rest, work, and developing our relationship with God.
Finding a balance between these three things is not a matter of perfect planning or flawless execution. It’s about making intentional decisions that allow us to live peacefully, with purpose and presence. Instead of letting your summer pass in a blur, be intentional about what you do and how you do it.
A balanced summer allows:
● Physical rest and leisure.
● Focused and productive work.
● Spiritual practices that nourish the heart and mind, whether that’s reading your Bible more often, volunteering somewhere, or reading a devotional or other book by a favorite Christian author.
● Spend time with family, friends and community.
● More time with God in prayer.
● Quiet reflection and renewal.
Trusting God for Travel Safety and Protection
Travel can come with its own set of questions. Will I be safe? Will God protect my family and me? What if something goes wrong? It’s not about worrying; this is the reality of today. We hear about bad things about traveling all the time. Car accidents, train accidents, plane accidents, etc. It’s normal to be a little anxious about traveling these days.
This is when we need to trust God even more. Trusting Him doesn’t mean we pretend danger doesn’t exist, act rashly, or ignore advice. This means placing our plans, our fears and our results in His hands while respecting the necessary measures to travel responsibly. Before you go on a road trip, check your oil and tire pressure. Making sure we have everything we need before flying. Pay attention to signs, rules and other important instructions when we travel.
When we travel, we are reminded of how little control we have over our lives and how much we need God, not only in our everyday lives, but also when we do things out of the ordinary. Trusting Him for the safety of our travels is an act of worship and reminds us that He is with us wherever we go.
Letting Go of Control and Accepting God’s Timing
One of the hardest things in life is giving up control, right? In the fast-paced world we live in, we are used to doing and getting things on our terms. However, if you’re like me, the more I try to do things my way, the less it works. I think we all do this from time to time and get ahead of God when we should be letting Him guide us.
Why do we have trouble letting go?
We find it hard to let go because being in control feels safe. When things are unpredictable, control gives the illusion of security. It’s like we manage every detail; we can avoid pain, frustration, etc. At least that’s what we think. Instead, life becomes exhausting.
So often we long for things like a relationship to move forward, a job or promotion to open, healing, or for our prayers to be answered quickly. When it doesn’t happen in the time frame we think is necessary, we get frustrated. Sometimes we wonder where God is or what His plans are for our lives. I went there.
We remember that God’s timing is not our timing and His ways are not our ways. Another thing to keep in mind is that God is never early or late; he is always on time. It can be extremely difficult, but letting go and letting God is the best thing for all of us.
Praying for wisdom during summer opportunities
Summer can provide all kinds of opportunities to do all kinds of things. Volunteer opportunities, mission trips, summer jobs, road trips, making new friends, catching up with old friends and many more activities. To decide whether to say yes or no to these things, prayer is essential.
Praying for wisdom during summer activities is not just about asking God for direction. It’s about asking Him how best to manage our time, resources and energy. Each opportunity is a way to grow in the discernment of your voice. When we have wisdom, we recognize what is good, what is best, and what distracts us. This helps us align with God’s plan rather than our preferences.
Keeping Your Faith Strong During Busy Summer Schedules
Although summer is a season of rest, it can also be busy. During this busy time, it is difficult to keep your faith strong and focused. Here are some tips to help you.
● Start with a morning anchor, such as a prayer of gratitude or a brief reading from the Bible. Anything that puts you in the presence of God for just a few minutes.
● Carry faith into the middle of your day by listening to worship music while driving the kids to camp or the pool.
● Protect your worship and community time by watching a church service online, meeting with a friend to pray or cheering, and finding a nearby church when you travel.
● Be realistic about your spiritual goals and choose those that are easy to maintain.
● Embrace summer activities as opportunities to practice faith, such as showing kindness, patience, gratitude, and helpfulness.
● Protect your heart from distraction by saying no to what drains you and building time for rest into your schedule.
● Make room for rest.
● Remember that God is with you in every season.
See the hand of God in open doors and closed doors
It’s hard to see God’s hand in opening and closing doors when it’s something we really want. We’ve all gone through seasons where we really wanted a job, a relationship, or a break during a difficult season. It’s incredibly frustrating when these things don’t happen. However, we remember that God sees everything and knows what is best for us. We must learn to trust Him and move forward, whether it’s a job, a relationship, or a problem in our summer plans.
End the summer with gratitude and deeper confidence
Reflection is the best way to end a season before moving on to the next. At the end of this summer, look back and see all that God has done. Sometimes it’s hard to see during difficult seasons, but if we look att entently, we succeed. The flight that was postponed. Rain that didn’t happen on your three-year-old’s birthday party. Car repair before a road trip costs a lot less than you thought. These are the signs of God at work. Let’s thank him for what he has done and what he will do next season.
It’s hard to let go of control and trust God, but when we do, we can be confident that, good or bad, an epic summer awaits us if we trust Him and His timing.
Photo credit: Unsplash/Toby John Varhaugvik
