Stick to the Plan

I am in currently struggling with a number of stressful issues in my life. No one is exempt and we all have these times. A friend asked me yesterday what I usually did to de-stress. I gave all the pat Christian answers and I said I pray and give it to God. I’m not really doing that. Oh, I pray, beat my chest and wail out to God alright. However, it seems these distractions have left me wanting only to hand God my issues and shut down my brain for a while so I don’t have to think about them anymore right now and lock up my heart so it’s not so vulnerable. This isn’t a good plan.

We often develop strategies, game-plans, life-plans – and then, at some obstacle or critical point, we say – “Just stick to the plan!” It’s usually good advice. Some issues slap you in the face unexpectedly and throw your ‘plan’ for a loop.

Life is always sending unexpected surprises, but praise God, nothing takes Him by surprise. He’s the Master Planner. Our family might turn against us, our friends let us down, illness, afflictions, problems, and “situations” on every side…God still has a plan, for you, and for me.

Joseph is a prime example of life’s surprises. It took 13 years of endurance and character-building for him to fulfill this part of God’s plan. Sold as a slave into Egypt by his own brothers, betrayed and imprisoned, he must have wondered where God was and what He was doing. But finally, as a prepared vessel, Joseph was placed in the highest position in the land, second only to Pharaoh, and commissioned to execute God’s plan for saving the world from famine. So the Lord had surprises of His own. Revealing himself to his brothers, Joseph summed it up beautifully: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, in order to bring it about as [it is] this day, to save many people lives…” (Genesis 50:20)

When our situations are difficult to handle and downright impossible to explain, we need to remind ourselves that God said, “I know the plans I have for you.” Through these situations we discover how faithful and sovereign He truly is. He knows what we can handle and He will never give us more. When the test is completed, we come out with character, stronger in faith, more in love, more useful to Him, and ready…for our next test. It’s only a matter of time before God reveals His good intentions – so until then, let’s stick to the plan! His !!!

Jeremiah 29:11-13 “for I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a HOPE. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me."