When Life Doesn't Go According to Plan

What do you do when life throws you curveballs?

I broke my toe on a road trip back in 2016. Some friends and I were driving to Philadelphia for a writing conference, and I was clumsy.

I limped around for a while, and I got yelled at by our nurse (that was funny). But I was okay. Except, there was a problem.

See, this conference has a costume banquet every year, and all of us had designed steampunk Disney princess costumes. I was steampunk Merida, y’all (With a corset! And a giant curly orange wig!). And I had these amazing boots. With a broken toe, I couldn’t wear them.

I had planned on those beautiful boots, and I wish I could have worn them. But I could either not dress up at all or skip the boots. So steampunk Merida just went barefoot.

Sometimes what we plan doesn’t happen, and we have to figure out how to keep moving forward in spite of it.

“Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”

Jeremiah 29:5-7

This was written to Israel after they went into captivity. Remember on December 16, we talked about Jeremiah 9:11 and the promise of a future? This is what comes right before that.

God is telling Israel to keep living in spite of their circumstances. They need to take care of themselves and their families and be good citizens of whatever country they’re in. God is telling them not to give up even when life doesn’t go according to plan.

I don’t think anyone’s life does. Something always goes wrong. Things don’t end up like we expect. Life is always harder than we hope in some way. But when your plans don’t work out, remember that there is a bigger plan at work. And you have a choice. You can stop, walk away, give up—or you can keep pushing forward.

So wherever you are, whatever has gone wrong, don’t give up. Keep working. Keep building. Keep doing. Keep being.

God makes plans too (Jeremiah 29:11), and nothing can stop His plans. Not even life.

Questions for Reflection:

• How do you react when your plans derail?

• If God has a bigger plan for your life, what do you think it is?

• What are some strategies you can use to help you maintain focus when your plans don’t work out the way you want?

Weekly Memory Verse: