Last year began with great plans. Expanding Ciloa into new countries. Reaching more cultures. Creating Ciloa groups in churches, ministries, and communities around the world. More teaching and speaking. All with time to write the Notes, a book on encouragement, and The Rise of New Power.

 

Then reality hit. A huge tree fell on our house--seven months of repairs. My step-father had problems with knee replacement surgery--thirty days of hospital and rehab care. Ten of my friends and family died. Writing was put off time after time. My great plans were frustrated, postponed, or ruined.

 

My sugar levels soared. A friend decided it was due to stress. "You need to relax. Just calm down. This is really bad on your heart." I made a mental note. After Complete ALL plans, I entered, Don't be stressed. It will kill me. Well, that didn't help at all.

 

After much prayer--or complaining--about how unfair this was, I finally heard what God was trying to tell me. The problem is not stress. Stress is the result of the problem. And the problem is not your plans. The problem...if you'll shut up for a moment...is that they are your plans.

 

Crud. These wonderful plans, the clever details, and careful timing were mine, not His. That's a bad way to start anything. There's no hope in plans not blessed by God---that do not come from Him or walk in step with His will. And yet I'd forgotten to ask Him, "What do you think?"

 

David wrote, The plans of the Lord stand firm forever,the purposes of His heart through all generations (Psalms 33:11). Solomon later added, In his heart a man plans his course,but the Lord determines his steps (Proverbs 16:9). Jeremiah was more blunt---A man's life is not his own;it is not for man to direct his steps (Jeremiah 10:23).

 

The message is clear. We are not to stop planning, but to place our plans in God's hands for Him to bless, change, or cast away. Our goals must align with His purposes. Our desires must embrace His will. And our plans must follow His path, rather than our good intentions.

 

There's something interesting here. God's will, plans, and purposes always triumph. (see Proverbs 19:21) So if we turn our plans over to God and follow Him, we can never fail. Even if we stumble, God will hold us up (see Psalms 37:24). There's a lot less stress with Him in control.

 

I still hope, dream, and plan, but now try harder to "go with the flow." I'm a Chuckleberry Finn floating down the great river of life wherever God's current takes me. (Sometimes I crack myself up.)

 

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A Note of Encouragement is a copyright interest held by Ciloa, Inc.