Often, we think we have our entire life worked out. From a young age, we think we know exactly how our life will pan out. We have plans for what college we will go to, what career we will have, where we will live and every single other little detail of our future lives. But God has a different plan. (If you don’t have a plan, that’s great too! God has one for you!)

When I was younger, I thought I knew exactly what I wanted to do with my life. I put all my focus into my school work, neglecting the other parts of my life (family, friends and God). I thought I had everything figured out (I was wrong). That’s when God intervened.

I spent about 5 years of my life in misery. My heath was a disaster, I spent the majority of my days either in bed or at doctors’ appointments. I was severely depressed. I had lost everything that I valued as important in my life and felt alone in the world. I thought my life couldn’t get any worse. I hated my life, and I was mad at God. Why would He do this to me? Did I do something wrong? Was I not supposed to enjoy life? Why was my life so awful?

Then everything changed. As my health started to improve, I realized the blessings that had been brought into my life because of the struggles. Through my years of suffering, God had changed me. The events and people that had been brought into my life had turned me into a new person. I would not be the person I am today without my years of misery.

Because of my struggles, I have extremely different life goals. I used to be primarily focused on myself and what I could do to succeed. Now, I value kindness and joy above all else. Without God intervening, I would never have chosen to go to Lipscomb University. I would never have been on my current life path. I would be very serious, academically focused and very unhappy. I would not be living my best life.

Sometimes, we are so focused on what we think is best that we forget to consider God’s plan for our life. Often, the path we have put ourselves on is not the one God has envisioned for us. I had to go through years of struggle to realize this, but now I know where God wants me.

God has a plan for every single person on earth. His plan for you may not be obvious, but if you pay close attention to the things He has put in your life, it will become clear. When your life plans fall apart, it may not mean it is the end of your world, it may just signify the beginning of your true calling.

^“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11)