September 26, 2026
Let Him Coach You
Dr. Eric Thomas
The Message
The One Thing
God wants the exact same things for you that you already want — relief, access, increase, and results. He just refuses to be left out of how you get there. The fix was never more effort; it's letting Him coach you: ask before you move, listen while you're in it, and review honestly after, instead of only bringing Him a decision you've already made or a mess you've already made.
Let Him Coach You
This Week's Message
What He Said
Ask before, not after
Most of us make the decision, then ask God to bless it. Flip the order: pray for direction first, get the decision from Him, and it's already blessed on the way out.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Listen during, not just before
A basketball or football coach only talks between plays. A wrestling coach calls the adjustment while you're still in the hold — turn, change position, don't do that. That's how God corrects: in the moment, not only in the huddle.
Isaiah 30:21
Review after, so you don't go back
Insight without adjustment just makes you a more informed repeat offender. Review the pattern honestly, own your part in it, then change the actual system — or you'll keep returning to it like a dog to its vomit.
Proverbs 26:11
Why This Message Matters
God has the same goals for your life that you have — He just has a better process. The three questions in this message aren't a productivity trick; they're the difference between effort and alignment.
Consider Your Ways
Haggai 1:5-6, then Eric's own list, one line at a time: working, but not progressing. Eating, but not satisfied. Drinking, but still thirsty. Dressed, but not warm. Earning, but can't keep it. God isn't asking you to consider His ways here — He's asking you to consider yours. Stop grading your own paper and calling it passed.
The Big Idea
You can be putting in real effort and still not get your desired outcome, because something — or someone — is out of alignment. Get yoked up with Him and there's no way to stay in alignment and not eventually prosper. Stay out of alignment, and no amount of effort changes that.
God Is Just as Hurt as You Are
This isn't us against God — it's us with God. He picked you the way a father keeps watching the road for a son who hasn't come home yet. When you fail, He isn't indifferent; He made an investment in you, and He wants a return on it. What looks like your low season is also His.
The Coaching Problem
Here's the honest part: most of us don't actually want to be coached. We want relief — get me out of the struggle. Access — put me in rooms I can't get into myself. Income. Results. And here's the part that should stop you: God wants those same four things for you. The only condition is that He won't be left out of the process while you get them.
Ask Before — "Coach, What's the Move?"
Most of us make the decision, then ask God to bless it. Flip the order: pray for direction, get the decision from Him first, and it's already blessed on the way out. "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." — Proverbs 3:5-6 (KJV). That's the promise on the other side of obedience, too: "I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground." — Malachi 3:11 (KJV). He doesn't just direct the little you give Him — He protects it and multiplies it.
Listen During — "Coach, What's the Adjustment?"
A twelve-year-old wrestler gave Eric this message: in football or basketball, the coach only talks to you between plays. In wrestling, the coach is calling out adjustments while you're still in the hold — turn, change position, don't do that. That's how God corrects: not only before the match and not only after it, but in it. "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it." — Isaiah 30:21 (KJV)
Review After — "Coach, What Do I Need to Learn?"
This is why so many of us keep going back to what already hurt us — not because we're evil, but because we never review. Look at the pattern honestly. Own your part in it, without blaming what triggered you. Then change the actual system, not just your feelings about it — or you'll keep returning to it, "as a dog returneth to his vomit" (Proverbs 26:11, KJV). Ask it every night: "God, where did I listen today, and where did I ignore You?"
Do Not Just Read It
This Week's Assignment
ASK BEFORE. LISTEN DURING. REVIEW AFTER. Stop only bringing God the decisions you've already made — bring Him the ones you haven't made yet.
0 of 5 done this week
Monday
Ask Before
Name the decision you're circling right now that you haven't actually brought to God yet. Pray it through before you move on it — don't decide first and ask for the blessing after.
Proverbs 3:5-6
Tuesday
Consider Your Ways
Go through Eric's list one line at a time — working but not progressing, eating but not satisfied, earning but can't keep it. Which one is quietly true of you right now? Write it down before you explain it away.
Haggai 1:5-6
Wednesday
Listen During
Notice one moment today when you sense a check — a "don't do that," a hesitation, a nudge to turn. Obey it in the moment, not after you've already gone through with the thing.
Isaiah 30:21
Thursday
Let Him In the Equation
Think of one area you've been managing entirely on your own — money, a relationship, a decision. Invite God into it out loud today, specifically, instead of just asking Him to bless the outcome.
Malachi 3:11
Friday
Review After
Before you sleep tonight, ask: "God, where did I listen today, and where did I ignore You?" Answer both halves honestly — no editing.
Proverbs 26:11
The full message, edited for reading, with the slides built in.
Ask Before.
The Word
Listen During.
Your Move This Week
Review After.
Arise and Build