Go with God's Plan
Have you ever had a time when you felt like you knew the best way to work out a situation? That your plan was THE best plan and the ONLY way to fix a particular problem? Sometimes we unintentionally, or intentionally, conjure up a plan without first asking God what His thoughts are regarding the situation. For instance, my husband and I may discuss plans for our future. What area we want to live, what type of home we want our forever home to look like, modern, Mediterranean, country, and so forth. We can even come up with the perfect budget plan to save for what we want and desire, but if we don't take it to God and ask Him where He wants us planted, we could easily make a big mistake.
I love hearing people say, "I will never…," because that's usually the very thing God will have them do. I often hear this phrase from preachers. They tell God their plan, "I will do anything you want, Lord, but I will not preach!" God must laugh out loud A LOT! Soon enough these not-yet-preachers realize they are miserable because what their plan was isn't making them happy or fulfilling them. Only fulfilling God's calling upon your life will give you true happiness. A lasting joy that grants you peace even when circumstances seem rather disheartening. So I want to encourage you to share your heart's desire with the Lord and see what lines up with His will. If it's not the direction He has placed before you, the desire will fade away and the desire He places in your heart will become so strong that all you can think about is how to please Him and you will want to be obedient to His good and perfect will for your life. After all, He knows best and had a great plan for you even before you knew His name. Take time to meet with God and share your heart and allow Him to direct your steps in the way you should go. Don't worry if a situation you thought should be a certain way turned out differently. His ways are always better!
Psalm 19:11-14 (MSG) God's Word warns us of danger and directs us to hidden treasure. Otherwise how will we find our way? Or know when we play the fool? Clean the slate, God, so we can start the day fresh! Keep me from stupid sins, from thinking I can take over your work; Then I can start this day sun-washed, scrubbed clean of the grime of sin. These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray. Accept them when I place them on the morning altar, O God, my Altar-Rock, God, Priest-of-My-Altar.
Isaiah 55:8-9 (VOICE) My intentions are not always yours, and I do not go about things as you do. My thoughts and My ways are above and beyond you, just as heaven is far from your reach here on earth.
Proverbs 3:5-8 (VOICE) Place your trust in the Eternal; rely on Him completely; never depend upon your own ideas and inventions. Give Him the credit for everything you accomplish, and He will smooth out and straighten the road that lies ahead. And don't think you can decide on your own what is right and what is wrong. Respect the Eternal; turn and run from evil. If you depend on Him, your body and mind will be free from the strain of a sinful life, will experience healing and health, and will be strengthened at their core.