Hope-Filled Sunday: Change of Plans

Hope-Filled Sunday!

 

Happy Sunday! Here’s some encouragement for your week.

 

 

2022 didn’t start off as I planned. As a chronic pain warrior for more than twenty-five years, I’m used to being in pain. However, this time, things were different. Despite all my precautions and basically putting my life on hold and rarely leaving my house for the past two years, I started the new year with Covid, followed by pneumonia: something that was certainly not in my plans. It was a shock, for sure, as I’d barely gone anywhere and was always masked when I did need to be out. Suddenly all of my carefully orchestrated plans for the start of the new year flew out the window.

Over the years, I’ve heard people say that “man plans, and God laughs.” While I don’t believe He actually laughs at our plans, I do believe Proverbs 16:9, which states “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”

I’ve seen this verse in action on a number of occasions, and the start of 2022 was just one more example. In the past, my desire to plan things out to a T has caused me numerous sleepless nights where I tried to devise a way to navigate the twists and turns that veered my plans off course—only to later come through on the other side and discover that God’s plans were different, and better, than I ever could have envisioned. And I’m trusting that He has a plan for all that has happened since the beginning of this year, as well.

While it is wise to have a plan, it is not smart to hold on to it so tightly that our plans interfere with God’s plans. In the Bible, Paul knew this all too well. His plans were rearranged many times. Jonah tried to forgo God’s directive to go to Nineveh. A storm occurred, he got swallowed by a fish, and he finally agreed to follow God’s plan. And Joseph was thrown in a pit, became a slave, and then went on to become a great leader. These events were likely not in their plans.

The goals we set for ourselves may be too narrow. We have a limited view of the future. In fact, we can’t even be certain of what will happen a few moments from now, let alone years down the road. I’ve always been one with a to-do list, but I have been learning over the years, and it was reinforced in the past month, that I need to loosen my grip and be open to the Lord’s plans and leadings.

It is important to always seek God’s will first. Go to Him. Lay out what is on your heart, and then listen to see what is on His. Share on X

Thank you, Lord, that I have room to make plans and still have the assurance that You are directing my steps. Give me wisdom in making decisions, and remind me that I’m not alone because You are guiding me. Amen.

 

Have a blessed day. Gentle hugs to all of you. ?

 

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