It is so easy to get wrapped up in our own plan for our lives sometimes that we forget about God's plan. We forget that He has a bigger and better plan for us than we could ever imagine. Whether it seems like it at the time or not, His plan will always be better than ours because He knows what is best for us. It is so easy to get discouraged when things don't go according to our plan, whether it is not getting into the school of our dreams, not getting the job we wanted or whatever circumstances arise in our lives that don't go our way. If you're anything like me, you like to have a plan and plan out your future, but if it is not God's will, those plans will not come to life.
When I think about the things in my life that didn't go according to my plan and ended up so much better than what I could have ever imagined or planned for myself, it is much easier to be at peace when things don't go my way or according to my plan because I know God is in control. Sure, initially I still get upset when things don't go my way or according to my plan; that's human nature, but when I look at the bigger picture I know God must have something better for me in store.
The biggest example of this in my life that I always think back to is my huge plan to go away to school to a big University. Before graduating high school I had my heart set on going to the University of Arkansas. I was absolutely in love with the school and even toured it twice I loved it so much. For one reason or another it didn't work out for me to go my first semester of freshmen year, so I decided I would stay home and transfer in second semester. I was so upset and disappointed when I saw all my friends going away to school and I was staying at home going to a Community College. Sure, I could've gone to a different University and still been able to go away to school, but I wanted to go to that University. Well, once again things didn't go according to my plan and second semester I did not end up at the University of Arkansas. I ended up at a small Junior College in small town Brenham, Texas, called Blinn (that most of you have probably never heard of) to cheer. Originally when I graduated high school, I did not want to cheer in college but God changed my heart and that's what I ended up doing. I'm so thankful that my plans ended up not working out and God's plan did.
I always thought that one day I would regret not going to the school of my dreams, but I don't. I am at absolute peace with what God's plan was for me. God placed my best friend in my life at that school and I ended up winning a cheerleading national championship, something I had always dreamed about. God knew what He was doing and knew that going to the University of Arkansas wasn't in His plan for me. His plan was much bigger and better than my own.
Even when it may not seem like it, God always has a plan for us. He has a reason for the things He does and His plan will always come out on top and be better than what we could've ever imagined. We just have to have faith in Him and His plan for our lives.
"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans." Proverbs 16:3
"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
