Have you ever had things not go according to the plans you had? Have you ever found yourself in a place where you literally didn’t know what to do because you hadn’t even considered a different scenario playing out? There are times in life when things don’t go as expected. Life can sometimes be cruel. What do we do when that happens? How do we respond and react?
There are some things in life that are relatively easy to adapt to. In light of the big picture of life, they are small. They might not seem like it at the time, but when you look at the totality of life, they are. Things like a child getting a cold, having a bill come in that you hadn’t planned for, or a baby having a diaper blowout when you’re at an important social event.
But what I am talking about are the bigger issues in life. Ending up in a career that you hadn’t planned for. Not knowing how you are going to get out of debt. Receiving a diagnosis that confirms you have cancer. Maybe you have a child who goes off the deep end in spite of good parenting and direction.
I remember one time as an adult when I let my heart get caught up in a vocational position that I felt was part of the overall story of my life and “success.” I got to the place where I thought not only was I the natural next one to step into the position, but I was the one who deserved it. It was the “God-given” next step on the ladder of progression to the top for me. Long story short — it didn’t happen. I was devastated. I even felt like people close to me had stabbed me in the back and didn’t fulfill their promises.
What does the Bible have to say about these times? What tools can we use so the moments that don’t go as we think they should don’t take our legs out from underneath us?
Joseph is one of the most obvious examples of someone whose life took an unexpected turn. But somehow, he didn’t just survive — he thrived. How did he get past the disappointment and heartache of being sold into slavery by his brothers? How did he live without being able to see his father anymore? Here are a couple of principles and verses of Scripture that I think can help us gain — and keep — the right perspective.
Remember that God has plans for us, and they are better than our own.
a. In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. (Proverbs 16:9)
b. My ways are higher than your ways. Isaiah 55:9
God can use difficult and unexpected things to bring about better things.
a. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. Romans 8:28
b. God didn’t say that everything we go through is “good” or part of His perfect “plan.” He simply says that He is able to take the unexpected and do something positive with it.
God will always walk through the unexpected seasons with us.
a. When you walk through the waters of difficulty, I will be with you. Isaiah 43:2
I encourage you to read through the story of Joseph, especially Genesis 50. He seemed to have a great perspective, even when his plans were turned upside down. When he saw his brothers again years later, he said,
You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20
Could what we think are failed plans actually turn out to be the perfect plans of God? I can now see that what I wanted — and thought was the right position for me — really wasn’t. I just couldn’t see it at the time. Was I wronged? Probably. Would it have been a good position for me? Most likely. Would God have used me? Yes. But… God knows best. And I can truthfully say, looking back, that I am glad things turned out the way they did.
Let’s learn to say what Jesus said to His Father…
“Father, not My will but Yours be done.”
SOAP Scripture: Genesis 50
S: (scripture)
Read the above passage and underline, highlight, or write down passages that stand out to you. Maybe re-read it a few times if that’s helpful.
O: (observation)
Write down things you observe about the passage. Maybe it’s a word that stood out to you, something the passage made you think about, or a question that you have.
A: (application)
Write down some ways that the passage applies to your life. Make it personal.
P: (prayer)
Take a moment and pray. Ask God to make the passage practical to your everyday life.
