February 5th | "It Will Be Okay, God Has A Plan." "Shut Up"

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When people take the time to think about and plan for positive actions or outcomes, they are likely to experience love and loyalty in their lives. It implies that good intentions and thoughtful actions can lead to rewarding relationships and a sense of trustworthiness from others.

Have you ever felt completely down and out? Life keeps throwing curveballs—breaking balls low and away—and you're far from your best self. Then someone approaches with those well-meaning words: "God is in control; He has a plan." In that moment, you might feel like putting them in a chokehold because deep down, you're still gripping the steering wheel, desperate to control the outcome.

That frustration often stems from our own attempts to force things our way instead of earnestly praying and inviting God to step in. We need to create real time and space for honest, deliberate prayer. It's through this intentional practice that God reveals His perspective, shifting our view from chaos to clarity. Not just when times are bad - but everyday.

The world bombards us with self-help strategies—goal-setting frameworks, step-by-step achievement plans—all promising to upgrade our lives. But the truth is simpler and more profound: God is the ultimate Planner and Goal-Setter. He has placed a unique, God-given destiny in each of us. Until we align our steps with His—walking in lockstep with His will—we'll miss the abundant, full life He intends for us.

Consider these powerful Scriptures that remind us of God's sovereign plans and our need to trust them:

Psalm 143:7-8 (NIV): "Answer me quickly, LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide your face from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life." So, in this passage, the speaker is really feeling the heat and is desperate for help from the LORD. The whole "pit" thing represents a tough spot—like being in a dark place where hope feels pretty far away. The speaker is reaching out for some divine love and guidance, showing just how much they trust the LORD to pull them through. It’s all about needing that spiritual support when life gets rough.

Isaiah 28:29 (NIV): "All this also comes from the LORD Almighty, whose plan is wonderful, whose wisdom is magnificent." Basically, everything we see and experience is part of a bigger picture crafted by the LORD Almighty. His plans are truly amazing, and His wisdom is just on another level that we will never be able to comprehend.

Proverbs 14:22b (NIV): "...But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness."

This verse suggests that when people take the time to think about and plan for positive actions or outcomes, they are likely to experience love and loyalty in their lives. It implies that good intentions and thoughtful actions can lead to rewarding relationships and a sense of trustworthiness from others.

• Planning for Good: It emphasizes the importance of being intentional about doing good things.

• Love and Faithfulness: The rewards of such planning are deep connections and reliable relationships.

• Positive Impact: It highlights that our actions can influence our relationships and the way others perceive us.

In essence, it's a reminder that a thoughtful approach to our actions can foster meaningful and lasting bonds with others.

Yes, we should plan thoughtfully. We need accountability and metrics to stay on track—God doesn't call us to wander aimlessly. Successful people are goal-oriented and driven. But our plans must bow to His greater purpose.

Psalm 40:5 (NIV): "Many, LORD my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare."

This reflects on the idea that God's plans for humanity are vast and beyond comparison to anything else. The phrase "None can compare with you" emphasizes God's uniqueness and greatness. The speaker feels that even if they were to try to recount all of God's deeds, it would be impossible because there are simply too many to list. This conveys a sense of humility and recognition of the divine's boundless nature, suggesting that God's actions and intentions are far greater than human understanding or expression.

Isaiah 14:24 (NIV): "The LORD Almighty has sworn, 'Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.'"

God's Authority: The phrase "The LORD Almighty" emphasizes that God is powerful and in control. - Divine Promise: When God "sworn," it indicates a serious commitment to what He has declared. - Certainty of Plans: The statement "as I have planned, so it will be" means that whatever God has decided will definitely come to pass. - Purposeful Actions: The phrase "as I have purposed, so it will happen" reinforces that God's intentions are not random; they will be fulfilled.

Today, let's release the chokehold on control. Surrender the outcome through prayer. Trust that God's plans are wonderful, His wisdom magnificent, and His purposes unstoppable. When we entrust our lives to Him—morning by morning—He shows us the way, fills us with His unfailing love, and leads us into the fullness of the destiny He designed just for us.