How To Plan When Life Doesn’t Go According to Plan
I don't do well with unexpected events. It's a character flaw I'm continuing to work on and grow in. I am a planner, and I enjoy an orderly schedule of events, but I also recognize that I am not in control and things creep in so unexpectedly.
An invitation to go hiking.
A dinner that takes longer than expected.
A friend who calls just to chat.
A computer that just keeps seeming to go slower and slower.
Those are small things, but our whole lives can feel swept out of order with things that we were not expecting, and were not planning for.
Transitions in work that take longer than we would hope.
Fatigue from pregnancy that just doesn't seem to ever go away.
A pandemic that wipes your calendar free from events for the foreseeable future.
In these moments it's good to humbly take a step away from the planner and remind yourself,
"The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps."
Proverbs 16:9
Life is unknown, and it can get messy. But in the midst of the mess, take joy, for God is in control! Though these events may have been unforeseen for you, they were not for Him.
But how do we properly plan if we can't even know what tomorrow will bring? Should we even plan?
Planning Well
"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit'— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” - James 4:13-15
Planning is wise. It enables you to properly use your time to achieve important goals in your life. However, the important aspect of planning is to not be arrogant in your plans. Submit them to God, and be flexible with the rest, trusting that He knows best.
What Are My Plans?
A lot has been happening in my life, and it's strange to think that over a year ago I launched this website. I am still working toward the goal of self-publication, but as life continues to transpire around me the steps toward that goal have shifted.
After all, if the Lord wills I will publish Seven Lives Saved. And, if the Lord wills, that publishing date will be in the summer of 2021.
I am just finishing up Draft 6 of Seven Lives Saved. After a few more tweakings, the manuscript will again be sent to some Beta Readers and the story will get a final Draft 7. At this point, the process of formatting and cover designing and researching legalities of self-publishing will begin. This will be a long process, and if the Lord wills someday it will come to a close and the book will be published.
Be humble, be flexible, and be patient as you plan. What plans do you have that you've had to adjust? How do you process through changing your goals?
