One morning, I was sitting in my office in front of the computer screen when I paused for a moment and went inward. I looked back over the first half of the year and all that had happened. Then I glanced at my vision board hanging on the wall to the right of me, and I laughed.
I thought, “We plan, and God laughs.” We really do think we have this life all figured out, only to realize that so much of it is not in our control.
I placed my hands over my heart and said, “God, You have all the answers. The answers I am searching for, seeking, and waiting for are with You. So why am I worrying? Why am I stressed? Why am I wrestling with anxiety when You have everything I need?”
When Your Plans Meet God’s Purpose
Isn’t that something? You can budget, plan every moment of the day, and have a to-do list from A to Z, and still, something can arise that is completely out of your control.
In those moments, all you can do is yield. You trust that God has you in His hands. You trust that He knows what you need. You trust that even when the plan changes, His purpose remains steady.
Ask God for the Lesson, Not Just the Answer
I have experienced this in my own life. I have had everything mapped out, planned out, and prepared, only for something outside of my control to come up. Instead of complaining, I have learned to pause and ask God, “What is the lesson here?”
Truly, we have to trust that God is not playing with us or allowing life to shift just to stress us out. There is always purpose in His plan. Jeremiah 29 reminds us that God’s plans are not to harm us but to give us hope and a future, even when the waiting season feels uncomfortable.
Yield, Release, and Trust God Again
Even when things come to discourage you, disappoint you, or let you down, know that the lesson may be there to grow you and draw you closer to God. It may be teaching you to trust His guidance more deeply and surrender your need to control every outcome.
I get it. It hurts when you think things are going one way and God tells you to pivot. It can be frustrating when you planned the trip, mapped out the budget, or made the decision, only to realize that God is redirecting your steps.
But one thing I know is this: God is sovereign. He knows you better than you know yourself, and He has already seen what is ahead of you. So yield. Release the heavy burden from your back. Trust that God has you.
Even now, take a deep breath as a moment of release. Let that breath remind you that you do not have to carry what God has already promised to hold.
Three Practical Steps to Trust God When Plans Change
- Pause before you panic. When something unexpected happens, take a breath before reacting. Give yourself a moment to remember that God is not surprised by what surprised you.
- Ask, “God, what is the lesson here?” Instead of only asking why something happened, ask what God may be teaching you through it. The interruption may be an invitation to grow.
- Release what you cannot control. Write down what is weighing on you, pray over it, and surrender it back to God. Trust that His plan is not limited by your timeline.
A Final Encouragement
If this encouraged you today, I invite you to read Jeremiah chapter 29 and sit with what God is speaking to your heart. Let His Word remind you that even when life feels uncertain, His plans are still filled with hope, purpose, and a future.
Did this resonate with you? Let me know in the comments. I would love to hear what God is teaching you in this season.