We all come up with scenarios of where we think our lives are heading, but it’s not until something unexpected shifts our focus that we learn our plans are not always the same as God’s.
This past month has been a whirlwind of yes’s and no’s. My family and I have been preparing to move, and every time we tried to settle on a house or look in a specific area we liked, the door would close. It was like walking through sludge. The days were physically and emotionally draining, and there was a spiritual block that prevented us from feeling settled.
Have you ever cried out to God, “This was not the plan! This is not what I thought you told me”?
The Holy Spirit may reveal the direction we should walk in, but He doesn’t always give us the entire picture at once.
My family and I learned this first-hand as we packed up our house, having no idea what each day would bring. With only 12 days until we needed to move, we still didn’t have a contract signed, boxes packed, or movers booked! There was so much to do, and the thought of getting it all done in just under two weeks was more than daunting.
Nevertheless, despite the pressure to get things packed, I still made sure to dedicate the start of each day to the Father. In my alone time one morning, my mom sent me Proverbs 19:20 as an encouragement, but it was the following verse that captured my attention — though, isn’t it interesting that verse 20 is about listening to the advice of others, while 21 goes on to say that it’s the Lord’s plans that will always come to pass
We can plan ahead all we want, but in the end, the Lord’s plans will prevail! I can think of many instances in my life where I sought God about the direction He wanted me to go, only to crawl there with my last bit of strength when my plans didn’t succeed. Yet, despite my disobedience and stubbornness, God didn’t want me to miss what He had in store; it didn’t matter if I went there kicking and screaming, He would have His way and open my eyes to His plans (which were usually the best).
Are you struggling to plan your next steps? Has God given you a direction to walk in, but you’re stumbling to figure out the small details?
My advice – stop fighting for control. The more you fight and try to do things in your own strength, the harder the transition will be. Also, don’t overthink everything. All of the details do not need to be laid out and finalized as soon as you feel the Lord sending you in a specific direction. The destination might not be clear either, but if you trust the Father and allow Him to open the doors, praying through every step, you’ll wind up in the right place! Our lives are not meant to look conventional. Other people won’t understand the why’s or how’s of our lives, but it’s not for them to know; it’s between you and God. And, sometimes, only God knows the reason He sends us to places, and it’s not until we look back that we see the intricate weaving of His hand throughout the journey.
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