All According to Whose Plan

DAY 050 - 26/19/2 -

When plans break apart and hurtle wildly away from their goal, what is there to do? That's how things felt these last few weeks. It started when I injured myself shoveling snow. Because of that, I was unable to do the only two things I wanted to do: Sit and write. Then, I was informed that my injury would take weeks to recover, rather than days. After that, I read an email from a colleague who has been helping me with the novel. They told me they had to drop out. Their reasons are valid, and I am grateful for the help they have given me, but it is still disappointing. So, this month has been mostly bad news.

It's been aggravating. Disheartening.
And it's all been according to plan.

Yes. Every discomfort and rough morning has gone perfectly to design. Not my design, though. I didn't have any of this on my schedule. I don't recall penciling in 'miserable snowstorm' on my calendar. None of that was what I expected—but God wasn't surprised by any of it.

The Bible says of God's plans, in Psalm 139, "Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in Your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them," (16 ESV). So, even though I get frustrated and wonder "what is going on," God isn't wondering. He's not worried, the way I often am.

Fifteen inches of snow.
That'll make anyone nervous.

It's easy to be anxious, especially in painful situations. I suppose that is why Psalm 139 also says, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (23-24 ESV). I've had my heart searched, and I know I came up short. I have not handled things well. So, it staggers my mind that despite my nerves God still thinks well of me.

Even the painful discipline He brings and the rebukes He might speak to us and the corrections that He delivers are coming precisely because He favors us. God favors you as much when you're sinning as when you're not sinning.
- Milton Vincent, pastor and author

God's favor towards His children does not change, even when they are anxious, spiteful or any other sin. And since God's thoughts towards His kids never change, then neither do His plans for them. He doesn't look at someone's life and say, "Oh no. They're veering off course. I'd better adjust My approach." He doesn't think that way. Instead, God delights in all His children, for "the Lord's portion is His people...He cared for [them], He kept [them] as the apple of His eye," (Deuteronomy 32:9-10 ESV). It might not feel true, but it is—always.

God's pre-written plan will never change,
and it is a good plan even when it hurts.
Isaiah 41:10: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be
dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and
help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

So, what does this mean for my book? Well, rest assured that despite this month's setbacks, the book is on schedule to publish this autumn. So, stay tuned for my next blog post, which will feature my novel's title reveal.

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