What Do Our Circumstances Look Like in Light of God’s Plan?
Our daily circumstances may not be want we want them to be, but we can trust they serve a purpose in God’s plan.
Our daily circumstances may not be want we want them to be, but we can trust they serve a purpose in God's plan. Share on X
Each morning I awake to the same task. Whether summer break, a weekend, a school day, or even on vacation, every morning I’m tasked with helping my teenage daughter with her hygiene needs. Toileting, teeth brushing, dressing: I’ve helped her more than 22 years now, and it doesn’t look like she will obtain those independent skills anytime soon.
Although I love Rachel immensely, honestly, it gets old. I get tired. I get frustrated. This isn’t the life I had expected. Four children instead of the nine my body conceived. A daughter who will never live independently. How did my life get so turned around and flipped upside down?
Do I Trust God With My Difficult Circumstances?
My life circumstances look so wrong. And in many ways they may be. Yet I need to consider another way of looking at them. In the twenty-ninth chapter of Jeremiah, God tells us He has plans to prosper us and give us hope (vs. 11).
He wants us to prosper, to grow, to hope. Therefore, there must be good hidden in the more difficult aspects. That alone gives me hope and pause to ask:
What do my circumstances look like in light of God’s plan for my welfare?
In light of God's love for us, there must be good hidden in the more difficult aspects of our lives. Consider, what your circumstances look like in light of God's plan for your welfare? Share on X
I guess it comes down to whether I trust God with my life more than I trust myself. And I do, but then sometimes…
I forget there is One who knows the beginning and the end of my life and everything in between.
I forget that God has the perfect vantage point.
I forget that going where my limited vision directs can keep me from the His best for me and even lead me into dangerous territory.
Do I trust God with my life more than I trust myself? What might our lives hold for us if we trusted in the Lord's plan instead of ours? How might our circumstances look different? Share on X
Throughout the Israelites’ exile from Egypt, God repeatedly directed the Israelites. Yet their refusal to trust in His guidance kept them from the Promised Land and ushered in 40 long years of wandering for their children.
What might our lives hold for us if we trusted in the Lord’s plan instead of ours? How might our circumstances look different?
The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in me, in spite of all the signs I have performed among them? Numbers 14:11
Your Turn
Reflections: What might your life hold if you trust in the Lord’s plan instead of yours? What makes it hard for you to trust in God’s plan for your life?
I’m excited to continue recording blessings this year. Since beginning over 3 years ago, I’ve counted nearly 4,000 gifts in Ann Voskamp’s Joy Dare! What a blessing! So here we go in 2015: #3975–3995, read my entire list by clicking here.
- Early morning quiet for reflection; First picking of strawberries; Afternoon/evening time to hang by myself at our barn
- Short, easy-to-lead women’s meeting with an interesting speaker; Pink, white, red bouquets in my rock garden; Racing Rachel and Danny through the campground
- Kindness of Proverbs 31 Ministries staff; *Afternoon/evening spent exploring caves at a nearby state park where Zach works; *First time Rach enjoyed caving–her squeals of joy echoed off the cave walls
- Freedom to have a relaxing day; Corresponding with a man who cares about more than the bottom dollar; Grace to say yes to my boys, even though the game wasn’t one of my favorites
- Simple fun games Rachel can play with the family; Fresh, cool air wafting in through the window; Being on the receiving end of Rachel’s loving
- Waking up to a battle of the crows in our front yard!; Sharing our land with a “crew” preparing for a wilderness excursion; Cousin love
- Fireflies dancing in the night sky; Brilliance of the lightening flashing across the dark sky as a storm came in; Weekend spent focused on family
Linking with Kelly Balarie for her #RaRalinkup:
By His Grace,
Julie
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Hello, I'm Julie, an imperfect wife and mother of four. Life in this broken world is not always easy. Yet, joy can be found in each day through the grace and mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ.
I find it's easy for our day's blessings to get lost in its happenings. But God's "mercies never end" (Lamentations 3:22) and His "grace is sufficient" (2 Corinthians 12:9).
May the posts and pages on this site offer you a measure of peace and encouragement.
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