My daughter said something to me recently that resonated deeply in my heart because I have had that exact same thought many times in my life. We were discussing something that was, quite honestly, life-changing news for her, and she said, “Well, this wasn’t how I wanted it to happen.” I acknowledged the depth of emotion she was feeling, and we talked for a while. Now, over a week later, I find myself thinking about what she said to me in that moment. Her words have lingered in my mind because I too have expressed them many times in my own life.
How many times have I thought those very same words?! If I am being honest, life has rarely gone the way I originally wanted it to happen. Far too many times, things have not happened the way I wanted them to. My plans have not always “gone according to plan”! Sometimes, this has caused me great pain. Other times, it turned out to be a huge blessing. And to be perfectly honest, there are a few “changed plans” I have yet to know what category they should fall under. What I do know is this, my friend. My God has proven time and time again that He is trustworthy.
He has proven more times than I could count that He loves me and can be trusted with my life. Although I may not always understand them, I am learning to trust that His plans are better than mine. I am learning that He has a plan and a purpose, and I can trust Him when my “plans” get changed. “’For My thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not My ways.’ This is the Lord’s declaration. ‘For as heaven is higher than earth, so My ways are higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts’” Isaiah 55:8-9. My plans may change but His can always be trusted.
Things may not always turn out the way I want them to, but I am learning to remind myself of Truth when that happens. What Truth do I tell myself? I remind myself of His past faithfulness. “Remember the wonderful works He has done, His wonders, and the judgments He has pronounced” Psalms 105:5. I remind myself that He has always faithfully taken care of me, no matter what changes have come. I remind myself that He has my ultimate good in mind (Romans 8). I remind myself that whatever touches me has passed through His nail-scarred hands.
Even when the changed plans hurt my feelings, change my life, and/or upset me, I can choose to ask Him to help me remember that His ways are higher than mine. What does that actually mean? It means that His higher ways are focused upward. It means that He is focused on what matters eternally. It means that His focus is on my eternal good, not my temporary good. It means He places a higher emphasis on my spiritual growth than my physical comfort. That’s not always an easy Truth to hear, but it is true, and it is important that we hear and acknowledge it.
We’ve all heard Jeremiah 29:11’s promise that He has “great plans” for us, and He does, but those plans may look a bit differently than we expected. If you read the verses following Jeremiah 29:11, you will see that God’s plans for His people include them calling out to Him, praying to Him, and seeking Him with all their heart. His great plans for us are centered around us knowing Him better. They are centered around us growing closer to Him. And the truth is that sometimes, in order for this to happen, our plans have to be changed; our plans have to give way to His plans.
Dear heart, sometimes in order for God’s plans to be accomplished, things have to happen a bit differently than we had hoped they would. Sometimes, our dreams of how things would go have to be replaced with the way He knows they need to go. Does this mean that all our disappointments are caused by Him? Absolutely not! But it does mean that even our greatest disappointments can become reappointments in His hands. It means that if we will choose to trust Him, even our disappointment and heartache can eventually be used for our ultimate good.
Beloved, I have said it before, and I will say it again and again. The love that compelled Him to the cross can be trusted to take care of you. The love that held Him to the cross for your sake can be trusted to hold your life safely in His loving hands. That love is guiding your steps and watching over you. Yes, dear heart, it may hurt, but give it to Him and let Him work. Let Him hold you and lead you through the hurt and disappointment. Let Him work and remember, “there is hope in your future” (Jer. 31:17). Your story isn’t over, and this disappointment is not the end.
This may not be the way you wanted it to happen, but you can trust the One who has allowed it to happen. How do I know? I know because my life is a testimony of His faithfulness. My life is a testimony of how God can turn disappointments into beautiful new appointments. My life is a testimony of how my Savior can turn heartache into healing and hope. And that is what I offer you today, precious friend. I offer you some of the hope He has given me. Dear heart, whatever it is, give it to Him and watch Him work. Give it to Him and let Him move on your behalf.
Beloved, this is but a chapter in your story; it is not the end. Trust me when I tell you… He writes the best endings. Take a deep breath, give Him the pen, and trust Him to write your story. “’Look, I am Yahweh, the God of all flesh. Is anything to difficult for Me?’” Jeremiah 32:27
Katrina Douglas
