The Plans

There’s so much power in reflection. Just sitting back, thinking about all that you have been through…it’s a humbling feeling to know that the Lord knew the plan all along; just like His word says.

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans and thoughts that I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for peace and well-being and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Recently, I’ve come out of a workplace that for the longest time, I despised.

There were times I wanted to give up, times I just had to let it out and cry, and times where I truly had to wait on the Lord and remain faithful. In these moments, I didn’t understand why I had to go through them, but looking back, now it all makes sense. 

A woman of God once told me that the Lord uses the “sand paper” moments to smooth us out; and boy, that job was a sandpaper factory- smoothing me on every side. 

As I began to just reflect on everything that I learned at that job, I saw why I had to go through it. 

I realized that the Lord had a plan all along. 

He knew I would have moments where I wanted to give up, moments of frustrations, but He also knew that the experience would bring me closer to Him. Glory to God in the highest! 

It reminds me of the scripture: 

James 1:2-3 AMP

2 Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. 3 Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace].

At the time, I couldn’t see nor understand why I had to go through this particular job experience, but the Lord knew all along. 

His ways are truly higher than our ways and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. 

Isaiah 55:8-9 AMP, emphasis added

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts higher than your thoughts.”

That word “thoughts” is strong's H4284 machashabah or machashebeth and it means: thought, plan, purpose, device, intention.

The Lord is saying that His intentions are NOT the same as our intentions! That’s why I didn’t understand the plan. I couldn’t see the purpose in those painful situations. It’s because His intentions, His thoughts, His purpose(s), His devices are HIGHER than our thoughts, plans, and purposes. 

Friends, we may not understand why we must go through certain things, moments, seasons; but trust that the Lord has a plan for it all. Looking back, I praise God for what I had to go through. For after all, His plans are to PROSPER us and NOT to harm us. 

Thank you, Jesus!

Be encouraged, beloved and trust His plans.