It was a disappointing blow.
My heart ached with the news this precious one in my life received.
This isn’t the way it was supposed to go. It never occurred that it wouldn’t happen the way it was planned out. Plan A was the only option in our minds, and when it didn’t come to pass, life came to a screeching halt. An abrupt screeching halt.
Did you see the black marks it left on the pavement???
What now??
This didn’t make sense. Wasn’t Plan A what God wanted? After seeking Him and searching Him, and all the preparations and hard work. Now it all stops?? Really, God??
What do you do when life doesn’t go as planned?
I know what I used to do, and it’s quite different than what I do now. I used to pout, and whine, and throw a temper tantrum. I used to throw my hands in the air in despair and quit.
But now?
Through experience of watching God work in every situation in my life, through understanding there’s a bigger picture that I may not currently see, through experiencing God’s faithfulness and His plans and purposes for my life and the lives of others come to pass, I now trust.
Even when Plan A didn’t work. Even when I did all I could do to make it work. Even when I’ve lived, breathed, prayed, prepared and everything else, and it didn’t happen the way I thought it would. I still trust.
God might have something better.
It may not look like we thought it would, and it may not happen in our time frame. But we can trust God knows what He’s doing, and we can trust He’s going to work it out for good.
We are confident that God is able to orchestrate everything to work toward something good and beautiful when we love Him and accept His invitation to live according to His plan. Romans 8:28 The Voice
Is there a disappointment in your life where Plan A didn’t work? Maybe Plan B didn’t either? Friend, God might have something better for you. Something you cannot even currently imagine. Something so perfect, something so special, something so amazing that only God could do.
Be confident in God. You can trust Him. He knows what He’s doing.
As I continue to encourage the one who is effected by this news the most, I pray. I pray for God’s will for this life to come to pass. I pray He works in his time frame, to accomplish what He desires for this dear one. And I pray He encourages this beautiful heart and gives His wisdom and peace.
I’m praying the same for you, too.
Hang in there, friend.
Julie
Amen! So many times I’ve planned (both A and B and usually a backup C), and God just gently laughs and slowly reveals his even better plan. I’ve come to the point in my life where my plans are tentative and I try to go with his flow (it saves on the pouting and whining and temper-tantruming that I used to involve myself in 😉 ).
Good plan, Anita! Plans are tentative. It took me a long while to get that. Glad you are living that way, and going with His flow! There’s a post in there somewhere. I can be pretty good at pouting, whining and temper-tantruming myself. Bless you, dear friend!
I feel as if we know each other, so I am boldly asking for specific prayer:
I have decided to separate from my husband of 13 yrs. He is verbally and emotionally abusive, a narcissistic man. Countless begging him to change, letters imploring him to love me for someone other than sex (which he demands).I have come to a place of clarity as far as God’s plan to see me free, yet I am afraid and my confidence wavers since I was raised in the way that teaches women just stay in the background and put up with it. Again, I am bravely sharing and requesting prayer. Love, in Christ. Lisa Isaiah 30:15
Oh, Lisa. I am honored you’ve asked me to pray, and you can count on me to do so. Lisa, my husband and I separated in year 7, and God saved our marriage in doing so. I may not fully understand your situation completely, but I know God can do mighty things! He can soften hearts that are hard, and change situations that seem impossible. May the Lord strengthen you, encourage you and bless you. Keep seeking Him and staying in His word. I’m here for you, friend. Thank you for sharing.
I don’t really think in terms of plans not working, because I expect them not to work – when plans meet reality, they become unrecognizable.
Adaptability with a cheerful and positive heart is really the key, I think. If one can step out from being the ruins of plans, and work extemporaneously, not merely reacting to events but taking an active role in directing their course, one optimizes the chances for success, or at least survival.
I my current situation, I can’t say that God is unveiling a ‘better’ plan for me. But the details are working out, not coalescing toward any desired goal, but to keep things going, and it seems I am to take it that God is in the details
Yes, Andrew. God is in the details. We can certainly be thankful He is!