God’s Plans vs. My Plans… goodness, I have so much room to improve in this area! But it is my heart’s desire to follow his ways, not mine.
Why is it often so difficult to follow God’s plans instead of my own? I think it’s a daily struggle for almost all of us, over things both big and small. I know in my heart that God’s plan is always best. I’ve seen it time and time again in my 51 years of life. Yet I still grapple with it. Today I’ve been wondering why that is. I mean, if I know my loving father who always wants the very best for me has a plan, then why do I dig my heels in and resist?
Well, I think one answer is this. From the time we can say “No” as a toddler, we pretty much want what we want. I can think of several instances in my life when I dug in my heels and wanted things according to Andrea’s plan. And, I can clearly trace that behavior in me to the consequences I lived through as a result of choosing my way instead of God’s way. And the Lord doesn’t want me to suffer consequences, but he will allow me to walk through them when I’ve made a bad choice. That’s why in Proverbs 3:5, he tells me to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.” In that verse, he’s letting me know in advance that “my understanding” is not always accurate or wise!
Then there are the times that I’m not digging in my heels in defiance. Instead, I’m not even remotely seeking God’s plan. And it happens all the time. A course of action sounds good or fun or meaningful, so I go for it. All in. Then, when I’m in, I wonder why I’m not liking the plan so much. It’s probably because I didn’t stop, even for a moment, to pray and seek the Lord’s guidance.
When will I learn? Here’s a simple truth from Proverbs 16:9. “We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it.” I love the way that was written in The Message! So, yeah, I can make my own plans. But without God’s blessing, I’m probably not going to like living out those plans!
Tweet ThisThen there are the times that I DO follow where God is leading, even though I don’t really want to. And guess what? Blessings in abundance are showered upon me! Well, of course, what did I expect?
For instance, it’s been almost two years since Tom took me on a walk and told me that he had an opportunity with Marriott in California. I immediately said, “No, I absolutely do not want to move to California.” But together we sought the Lord and his plans for us, and we concluded that moving to the Palm Springs area was aligned with God’s plans for us. Now, I can’t imagine not having had this experience! We’ve lived one and a half of the most interesting, exciting and unique years ever. We hope to return to Texas, but right now we are embracing (and loving!) this season God has called us to. And why am I surprised? After all, he says in Jeremiah 29:11,
If you are like me and know there’s a lot of room for improvement when it comes to “God’s Plans vs. My Plans,” then pray and ask the Lord his will every morning. Seek his wisdom. Follow his ways. Follow him. That’s what I want to do with all my heart! How about you?
xoxo,
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Yes! I WANT the Lord’s will. But, sometimes I still go with my will. ALWAYS a bad idea. When will I ever learn??
Andrea,
This was very inspirational and well said. It was just what I needed to read today. Thank you for sharing.
~Hugs~
Dorene @ Seasonal Chaptrs
Thanks for stopping by, Dorene!
Andrea….thanks so much for this! I love it and I try to ask everyday myself. When I awaken each morning I ask God to show me how I can best serve Him this day and then as my day goes along, I look for the ways he brings to me. Like you sometimes I get into Self Will Run Riotl, and doing it my way, it seldom works out very well. When I have big decisions that I have to make, I ask God to give me an outward sign of His will for me, something I can not be confused about or have any doubts about, showing me what His will is for me. I need to be reminded of this because my forgetter seems to be stronger than my rememberer.
Love you,
Mimi
Love that about you, Mimi! xoxoxoxo
So true! Thanks for sharing, I loved it and the verses.
Thanks for stopping by, Rachael!
I am definitely dealing with this in my life. Even at 40 years, I still try to find my own way, knowing good and well God’s way is best. I’m learning and The Purpose Driven Life is really helping me. Thank you so much for this I really needed to see it! You’re a blessing!!
Thank you, Chantale! 🙂
My husband just lost his job… SO yeah I get that… Great Post.
I am always realigned by your inspirational posts. Have you ever considered writing a book of devotionals?
YES! In fact, I’ve already started working on it! xoxo
LOVE this!! Jeremiah 29:11-13 are my life verses! Giving God 100 % control and trusting that His plans are way better than mine has been my life long journey of improvement! 🙂 Love this and featuring it on Wined Down Wednesday! I woild love for you to stop over at my place and share this on Making Memories Miondays that starts Sunday night at 9PM EST! 🙂
Cathy
Thank you so much, Cathy! I appreciate your encouragement, and OF COURSE the feature too! And yes, I’ll stop by Making Mem Mondays tonight!
This post was exactly what I needed to read today! I am so guilty of planning my life away and then just telling God how I think it should go. It hasn’t always worked out the best for me. I’m a bit a bit of a cross roads now and trying to learn from my past mistakes and truly depend on God to lead me in my next steps.
I like Jeremiah 29:11.
I can relate. I so want things when I want them. And sometimes what I want, isn’t even what God has planned for me to have. I am horrible about looking at others and thinking well why can they have it and not me. I love that verse, Proverbs 3:5. It’s my favorite! It’s something that I struggle with. It’s always in God’s timing not our own. Plus I try to keep this thought in my mind as well, God has a better plan for me. This isn’t what he wants me to have, because something better is out there, and one day I’ll uncover it.
I think it’s hard to sometimes not dig your heels in, but everything happens for a reason. Thanks for sharing on MM.