Sometimes, our plans don’t go as planned. Even for those of us who try to make the most intentional plans and think of all the scenarios. It can be frustrating and demotivating. In Episode 49 of Just One Simple Thing, we’ll look at how to respond to derailed plans from both a spiritual and a practical perspective.
I get frustrated when my carefully made plans get derailed. I want to force everything back into its calendar square where it belongs! But since the plans were God’s in the first place, maybe …. just maybe … He has a purpose in the derailing. In the Bible, the apostle Paul often had his plans derailed. With a vast network of churches and co-laborers in Christ, he was always planning to go somewhere.
Those plans got interrupted, hindered or re-directed when God had something different in mind. It doesn’t mean the plans were wrong in the first place, but it may mean God’s got some work to do in you or others. Paul tells us there is no yes and no in Christ. There is only yes and yes.
But as surely as God is faithful, our message to you is not “Yes” and “No.” For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me and Silas and Timothy—was not “Yes” and “No,” but in him it has always been “Yes.” 2 Corinthians 2:18-19 (NIV)
So when we feel like God is saying no to some of our plans, we need to look for what He is saying yes to. It may be one of these things:
- You are needed more elsewhere.
- The conditions aren’t right.
- An opportunity for someone else to serve.
When I look for God’s yes in the midst of the no’s, the jumbled calendar squares get filled with hope instead of frustration, anticipation instead of discouragement and deeper faith in the One who knows better.
How do we practically respond when things get out of whack?
Reevaluate Your Plans
Identify Your Problem Areas
Figure out if there is anything you can salvage and start again
It’s important to develop a different mindset in regards to plans -one that believes that every mistake and obstacle is meant to help you grow.
ACTION STEP:
Do a quick review of your past week. Identify what didn’t go according to plan and see what you can learn from it. Maybe one of these strategies will help you see how to make it better next time. You can head over to my free Facebook group, Plan & Pray with Do A New Thing and get my Weekly Review worksheet to help you do that.
RESOURCES:
Episode 48: Stop Following Shiny Objects
Book Recommendation: Atomic Habits: An Easy and Proven Way Build Good Habits and Break Bad Onesby James Clear
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