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“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”
Proverbs 16:9 (NIV)
Today’s Encouragement
We planned our mission trip to Kenya, but God had other plans for us. And, six weeks before the trip started, a breaking news story announced an attempted terrorist attack on a flight out of Kenya. Then the airlines canceled all flights into Kenya for the foreseeable future. Therefore, our mission team no longer had a place to go.
And, after prayers and a few phone calls, we discovered a destination that needed help. So God sent us to Argentina instead. During the mission, a local man asked why we came to Argentina. We explained the love of Jesus made us want to help others. And he responded he wanted to learn more about our Jesus. We connected him to a local church to continue his discipleship.
God’s Plans
The verse in Proverbs reminds us we can make our plans, but God will direct our steps to His work. Like how we planned to go to Kenya, but God knew a man in Argentina needed to hear the Gospel. God rerouted our trip for His purposes. So when we make any plans, we need to learn to leave room for the Holy Spirit to redirect us.
So, what situations have you experienced where God directed your path a different way? Also, sometimes the redirection seems insignificant, like missing an exit or turning the wrong way. But God has a purpose in the change. Maybe He prevented an accident. Or maybe a chance encounter needed to happen. Also, learn to trust God even in the detours of life.
God's Change of Plans – when we allow Him to direct our paths, miraculous things can and will happen around us. Click To TweetOf course, there is nothing wrong with making plans for the future. But we need to remember that God’s plans are always better than our plans. And, when we allow Him to direct our paths, miraculous things can and will happen around us. Then, remember even when it’s hard for us to see God’s vision for our lives, we can trust in Him and have faith. And He will guide us down the road that He’s built especially for us.
Now let us look at some additional Bible verses to remind us to trust in God’s plans for our lives:
- “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; don’t rely on your own intelligence. Know him in all your paths, and he will keep your ways straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV).
- “Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He will do it.” Psalm 37:5 (NIV).
- “For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV).
Pray
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for watching over all of our steps. And thank you for directing our steps to keep me safe and secure. And please help us remember that when things don’t go as planned, that you are in control and your plans are the best. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Reflect on God’s Plans
How do you react when God redirects your steps?
Do you need prayer? I would love to pray for you. Submit your prayer request on my website at https://yvonne-morgan.com/submit-your-prayer-request-here/
Grace and Peace to you,
Yvonne M. Morgan is a Christian #author, #blogger, and #speaker. #BibleGatewayPartner
Matthew 28:19 “Therefore, GO and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.”
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So good! I’ve lost track of the times that my plans changed, and later I realized God had helped me avoid an accident, or He put me in the path of someone I needed to help (or vice versa). Today I try not to worry or even get upset when things happen and my plans changed, and instead wait in anticipation for the better thing He has planned instead.
It is so easy to get frustrated when plans change so I always try also to leave room for the Holy Spirit to take me along the best path. Thanks Jessica. Blessings
Praying for safe travels for you all.
Thanks so much Melissa
Such a good reminder!
It really helps when I remind myself that when I think God has interrupted my plans, in reality, my plans were an interruption of His!
Great way to look at it. Makes a lot of sense. Thanks Ava. Blessings
I love how you manage your ministries all over the world. You know that the Lord is in control, and you yield to His changes to your plans, knowing He has another direction to aim you. It’s truly astonishing how you manage a ministry that spans the globe. Well done, good and faithful servant!
Thanks Melinda. God is amazing and I praise Him for allowing me to participate. I pray for your ministry as well.
Although the change in plans (directed by God) may not seem positive or even hopeful, after it happens we often find out why God’s plan was better. One exception is the death of a loved one. The grief and sorrow seem more than we can bear. That’s when our faith has to take over and recognize that even though we don’t understand His plan, and it may bring great pain, we must trust that He knows best.
Amen Katherine. Thanks and blessings
I so love this message, Yvonne. Most of us struggle with frustration when our plans don’t work out. Yet, when we remind our heart of these scriptures and God’s ultimate will and plan, we know that He is working it out for our good in some way.
Thanks Karen. It’s something we all do. God’s plans are always the best even when they frustrate us because we don’t understand. Blessings
So many times God has upset My plans, but I look back and see that each detour worked out better than anything I could have accomplished on my own. The Scripture you included here can be nicely turned into prayers of trust.
Good idea about the prays of trust. Thanks for sharing. Blessings
I’ve encountered many detour signs on this wild ride of life. Thanks for the reminder that God designs these rabbit trails for His glory.
Me too. Thanks Annie. Blessings
It is so hard not to get frustrated when plans (especially those you were looking forward to) change. To see what God will do instead is exciting. I love your story you shared.
Thank you Jennifer. Blessings