Henry loved road trips. As a father and husband, he enjoyed being the one behind the wheel; steady hands, clear direction, confident decisions.
One December, he decided to drive his family from Lagos to Ibadan for a family event.
Halfway through the journey, the car began to jerk. Within minutes, the engine shut down completely.
Highway. Midday sun. Wife anxious. Children asking questions.
Henry stepped out, opened the bonnet, and stared at the engine as if staring could fix it. He tried what he knew. Nothing worked.
For the first time in a long while, he had no solution.
He leaned against the car, took a deep breath, and prayed:
“Lord, I am used to being in control. But today, I need You to take over.”
Within minutes, a mechanic who had been driving behind them pulled over. He wasn’t just any mechanic — he specialized in that exact car model. After a quick fix and a temporary adjustment, the journey continued.
Later that night, Henry said something powerful to his wife:
“I realized today that I’m not the one truly carrying this family. God is.”
A man who trusts only in his own understanding will live under constant pressure.
But a man who trusts God:
Sleeps better.
Leads calmly.
Makes decisions prayerfully.
Models faith for his family.
Your family doesn’t just need your strength; they need your faith.
Where in your life are you still standing beside the “broken engine,” trying to fix what only God can handle?
This week, move from self-reliance to God-reliance.
The strongest man is not the one who controls everything; it is the one who trusts God with everything.
Layi Balogun
The Joyful Men Ministry
