Part 1: Not According to Plan—And That’s Okay
When Life Doesn’t Go the Way You Hoped
Verse of the Day:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
— Proverbs 3:5–6 (NLT)
Let’s be real: you probably had a vision for how things would go by now.
Maybe you thought you’d be in your dream job, engaged, living in a cute apartment, or finally feeling confident in your purpose.
But life didn’t follow your script.
Maybe the door you knocked on didn’t open.
Maybe your relationship ended when you thought it was headed toward marriage.
Maybe you're watching everyone around you succeed while you’re stuck in a cycle of, “God, what am I doing wrong?”
Here’s something you need to hear: detours are not dead ends.
His Plan > Your Plan
You’re not failing. You’re just being rerouted.
And you’re not behind—you’re on a different path than you expected. One that God can still use—and very often does.
The problem is, we often equate our understanding of success with God’s faithfulness.
If things go well, we assume God is close.
If they fall apart, we wonder if He left.
But Proverbs 3:5–6 reminds us to trust God with all our heart, and not lean on what we think makes sense. His perspective is wider. His plan is better. His timing is perfect—even when it doesn't feel like it.
God’s Not Panicked—And You Don’t Have to Be Either
The job that didn’t work out? He has something better.
The relationship that ended? He’s protecting your heart.
The season you’re in? It’s part of the story—even if it’s not the one you’d choose.
You may not understand the “why” right now, but you can still trust the Who—the One writing your story.
Even in the confusion.
Even in the frustration.
Even when you're tired of trusting.
Journal Prompt
What’s one area of your life that didn’t go according to plan?
How might God be protecting, redirecting, or refining you through it?
A Prayer to Start Your Day
God, I had plans. And I’ll be honest—some of them didn’t work out, and I’m struggling to see why. Help me to trust You more than I trust my expectations. Give me peace when I feel lost, and remind me that You see the bigger picture. I want to follow Your path, even when I don’t understand it. Amen.