When Our Ideas Don’t Turn Out Like We Thought …

It’s so frustrating when our ideas don’t turn out like we planned.

I am sure you can all relate, men included, to the image above. But today’s blog post is on a serious matter. It can be pretty frustrating when our ideas don’t turn out like we planned them—and especially frustrating when we truly feel we followed God’s direction. We sometimes wonder, “Does that mean we really didn’t follow God’s plan when things go wrong?” Does it mean that He isn’t with us?” I want to reassure you of God’s constant oversight, direction, and purpose around you at all times. Breaking down this great verse in James sheds some good light on how to keep our thoughts straight when things don’t turn out like we expected.

“Now listen you who say ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make money.’ Why, you don’t even know what will happen tomorrow. … Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.'” James 4: 13-15

I bolded the why because I find it interesting and rather bold of him to say, “Why.” As though it is a bit foolish to make plans. This verse reminds us that it is our job to try to follow God’s will. If we go this way and that way as a result of us TRYING to follow God’s will, so be it. The bad haircut is a good example because it can sort of feel like the end of the world, but in all reality it is a small bump in the road while on God’s journey for our lives. I can think of loads of times I have messed up, said too much, not enough, went when I should have followed, or followed when I should have went. But God was right there fixing ‘this’ and guarding me over ‘that.’ The blessing comes in knowing that as we live TRYING to follow God’s path, He is there with us the whole way. Bad haircuts and all.

Partner up with God in all you do. Pray for this when you awake and start your day. Pray for this as you lay down your head at night. You always have free will to decide which way to go (that is your mind’s work). But God will always know the heart behind your decisions (because that is God’s work).

Faith Infused Living… Reaching Goals Higher.

Niccie Kliegl CLC, RN

Author of Awaking the Living Legacy