This post is part of the series His Encouragement
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Welcome! Welcome, dearest friends, to His Encouragement: Biblical Inspiration for Your Thursday. Every Thursday, a few blogging friends and I will each bring you a Bible passage and a little hope-filled discussion. We pray that these Thursday posts help you end your week strong in God’s love and purpose for you.
Today’s Encouragement
A man’s heart plans his way,
But the Lord directs his steps.— Proverbs 16:9, NKJV
I am a planner.
I like to have a general direction determined, an end goal in mind, and actionable steps to reach it. This is the type of person I am, and I feel overwhelmed and stressed when I cannot meet my own expectations, complete the tasks I set for myself, or reach my end goal.
However, sometimes life gets in the way of our carefully laid plans. An unexpected automotive expense, a life-changing medical diagnosis, whatever it may be, Murphy’s law seems to apply especially to plans. I learned a long time ago that even though I am a planner, I need to be flexible. The tree that bends and sways in the wind of change is less likely to snap under pressure or be blown completely over — roots and all.
It is fine to make plans, but we need to lay our plans at the Lord’s feet and ask if they are in line with God’s will for our lives. In earnest prayer, we need to humbly ask for His guidance, trust in His leading, and boldly step out on faith even in the midst of the darkest, wildest storm life can throw at us. That is why I chose Proverbs 16:9 for today’s encouragement. We may make plans, but it is the Lord who directs our steps… if we trust Him!
Sometimes trusting the Lord means going in a direction we had not anticipated. Often, the Lord will push us out of our comfort zone, out of the complacency we have lulled ourselves into, and it can be scary to take that first step. Isaiah 55:8 reminds us: “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” Abraham had no idea where the Lord was leading him when he first accepted the call to follow God, and he packed up his entire household and spend decades on the move.
We, too, need to trust in the Lord, especially when our plans fall apart. David wrote Psalm 34:8 while on the run from King Saul. If he can say confidently: “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” while literally fleeing and fighting for his life, then we can, too.
Be sure to also visit my fellow bloggers and read their encouragement for your Thursday as well:
- Trisha of Joy of Reading
- Nicole of The Christian Fiction Girl
- Jessica of A Baker’s Perspective
- Becca of The Becca Files
- Jenny Lynn
- Gina of Stories by Gina
Hi there, blogger. Would you like to join us in sharing encouragement from the Word of God every Thursday? Don’t be shy! Contact Trisha or Nicole today!
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Continue reading this series:
His Encouragement: Give Thanks
I’m totally a planner too. I used to get so frustrated when my plans didn’t work out … then I had a kid!
I once proclaimed in frustration, “It’s just not my day” (cause things weren’t going to plan). I can’t remember who replied back, but the person I was with said, “Of course it’s not your day. It’s the Lord’s day.” That always stuck with me. When things aren’t working how I would like, I remember it’s God’s day, not mine. Puts things in right perspective.
Having kids definitely forces us planners to become more flexible and adaptable in the day-to-day things! 🙂 I really love what that individual shared with you. In my moments of stress and panic when things don’t go as I have planned or anticipated, I need to remember that it is the Lord’s day. He is always in control if I trust in Him. God bless! <3
I too, am a planner. I often have to stop and remind myself to ask God if this is His plan and then wait.
Lately because of everything that has been going on, I had been so rushed and was not stopping to listen to God’s guidance.
I am a planner as well. I especially am convicted by your line “It is fine to make plans, but we need to lay our plans at the Lord’s feet and ask if they are in line with God’s will for our lives.” While I TRY to do this, I am also aware that it’s an area I struggle in. Thanks for sharing this today! 🙂