Embrace God’s Plan

Do you ever get that heavy feeling in your stomach when things don’t work out? You did everything with the best of intentions yet it was misconstrued. It can be tough to accept. My first thought is God, why is this happening? My mind starts to remember all the times I have felt this way and starts to spin with past hurts that make me feel hopeless.

Then I stop and realize that God knows my heart and everyone else’s hearts. As hard as it is to try and fit in and be accepted, some people will never like me or accept me. Or, you. Ouch.

Some people only want you, if you stay in the slot they have allocated for you. They may not want to see you succeed.

I have to take a step back. I know that God has good plans for me. Perhaps this is not going to work out as I have planned. What was my original prayer? Maybe God is answering my prayer and that is why the course of actions changed. Maybe the answer to my prayer is completely different or right under my nose, and I can’t see it. Maybe I expected how the outcome would fall into place. I imagined the people and series of events to answer my prayer. God is letting me know, I heard your prayer, but you are on the wrong track, so I am going to lead you on the right one. It won’t look how you imagined it. 

I can get caught up wanting something and plan for how I want it to work out. And, it doesn’t work out the way that I planned. I can fight it and be angry. Or, I can trust in God.

Trusting in God is always the answer. Why is this so hard? Why don’t things come easily? Why do I feel so awkward and say the wrong thing? 

Sometimes getting to where God wants you to be is not easy. I have to let go of what I want. God has to work on us and change us. It may not be easy, because we are trying to do our own thing and not letting go and trusting in God. I may be feeling the Holy Spirit nudge me into truths I don’t want to accept, so I feel awkward trying to force what I want, versus what God has planned for me. 

As hard as this is for me, I feel triple the feelings with my kids. I just want it to work out so badly. I feel their hurt and their pain, twisting my stomach in knots, wanting to make it stop. 

It is not working out, because if it did, it would be worse in the long run. God knows the future and is trying to help you. God is saying this is not good for you. You think you want this to happen, but I see how it will play out and trust me, you don’t want that outcome. God tells us he has a better plan where he takes care of every detail. 

I want the best for my kids, as parents do. I hate to see things not work out. I can’t imagine how God felt watching his only son die on a cross. How could God have possibility endured the heartache? God is our father too. God allowed Jesus to die on the cross to forgive us of our sins, all we have to do is believe in him. God loves every human on earth. We are his children. God could have let us suffer in our sin, but God is good. God gave us a way out. 

Jesus told his disciples that the words in scripture outline God’s plan of redemption for us. We don’t deserve it, but God blessed us anyway. God has a plan for all of us. I have to let go of  my expectations and embrace God’s plan.

The Scriptures Opened
Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.

Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”
—Luke 24:40-49 NKJV

Sing Your Praises

I’ve Got a Story by Tori Kelly