When our plan isn't His plan...

Life can be unfair sometimes. You can be so sure of yourself that you are doing the right thing, and that 'this' is where you are meant to be. All the dots can be joined up in your mind and you can say "yep, this feels right, it will all work out". But sometimes, God has other plans...

We have been learning this over the past few years and sometimes I think God must be sitting up there shaking His head saying..."when will they ever learn!!!" He is understanding, of course, and through it all, He is speaking to us. He gives us subtle hints of where He wants us and calls us forward, saying "Come to me...come on! Just a few more baby steps and then you're there!" But so often instead of keeping our eyes on Him and walking towards His plan, His purpose and His desire for our life, we can get sidetracked by things such as money, better prospects, and better offers which we can convince ourselves are what God wants for us.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.

We have heard this verse many times before...it is a fantastic verse about trusting in God's plan for our lives...but sometimes, can be easier said than done. Where it says, "in all your ways submit to Him" I believe that means handing everything over to Him. Allowing Him to have control of your life, your dreams, your goals, your plans, your job, your finances...everything. He calls us to do this, and when we do, He will guide us and show us what He wants for us. It's almost as though He wants us to make Him the sole focus of our lives, instead of spending our time and effort and thoughts on planning out what we want for our life...and when we do focus on Him and delve into His word, it is then that He will reveal His good plan to us.

Some other verses I came upon are below which I think capture this issue really well and provide comfort to those that are going through a similar thing. If you are struggling with something, or if there is something you have been praying for, or trying to attain and it just hasn’t come to pass, perhaps take a step back and spend some quiet time with God. Really listen to what He has to say to you and ask for the ears to hear His voice...perhaps He is trying to show you the path you are meant to be on, but you don’t even realise it!

Proverbs 16:9

In their hearts humans plan their course,
but the LORD establishes their steps.

Psalm 32:8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

Psalm 37:4-5,7

Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him and he will do this:
Be still before the LORD
and wait patiently for him;

Much love