Have you ever considered that your life, with all its twists and turns, is not just a series of random events? I believe that God created each one of us with good plans in mind. These plans may not always align with our own expectations, and yet, that is the beauty of it all. The most wonderful, surprising moments in life often come when we least expect them, when we surrender to something greater than ourselves. I’ll share my journey of discovering this truth and how embracing God’s plan led me to joy beyond anything I could have imagined.
Surrendering to a Higher Plan
Life is full of unexpected turns, and while many of us try to control every detail, I’ve come to realize that true joy lies in surrendering to a higher plan. God has good plans for each of us—plans that are often not what we envision. We are conditioned to believe that the outcome is directly proportional to our input—that our efforts should dictate our results. But when we cling too tightly to this belief, we miss out on the miraculous moments of joy and the beautiful surprises life has to offer.
“You may not always understand why certain things happen, but trust that God’s plans are always good.”
For much of my life, I was determined to shape my destiny entirely on my own terms. I believed that I was given intelligence for a reason—to make money, to grow wealth, and to make an impact. I spent years trying to outthink God, trying to control my path. But that only led to frustration and disappointment. Today, I’ve learned to hold onto God’s good plans and let joy be my compass, allowing me to engage in my own efforts without letting the outcomes define me.
Trying to Outplan God: The Pitfalls of Control
Let me be honest: I wasn’t always this way. There was a time when I was fixated on having everything go according to my plans. I used to believe that my intelligence was my greatest gift—something that could outpace God’s plans. It was an arrogant way to live, and it left me with a feeling of emptiness. My identity was tied to my achievements, and I believed that success would come from my own doing.
I was rigid in my expectations. I had plans for everything—my career, my relationships, my finances. And whenever life didn’t go according to my detailed spreadsheets, I was incredibly disappointed. It’s as if I thought I knew better, that I could create more for myself than God could.
“Our sense of control can be the greatest illusion. True freedom lies in surrendering to something greater than ourselves.”
My mindset led me to disappointment when things didn’t turn out as planned. The expectations I placed on myself were heavy. I saw any deviation from my ideal vision as a failure. But there was a pivotal moment when I finally understood that trying to control every outcome was, in itself, the problem.
Realizing God’s Good Plans
That pivotal moment came during a difficult period in my life. My plans were failing, and everything seemed to be going wrong. I was frustrated, feeling as if my life was spiraling out of my grasp. It was then that I had an epiphany: Maybe life wasn’t supposed to go according to my plan.
I decided to do something different—I decided to trust. I decided to trust that God had good plans for me, and that perhaps, the roadblocks I was facing were opportunities for me to grow, to learn, and to let go.
What I found is that God’s plans are not always easy to understand, but they are always good. They lead to a deeper kind of joy, one that isn’t based on material success or accomplishments, but rather, on a sense of purpose and fulfillment. I found peace in surrendering my control and trusting in His plan.
Personal Reflection: Letting Go of Control
One of the most transformative decisions I made was to stop defining myself by my success and instead define myself by my relationship with God. I decided to follow His lead. I let go of my need to control outcomes, and instead, focused on being present, doing my best, and letting God handle the rest. This mindset shift was life-changing. For the first time, I experienced true freedom—freedom from my own rigid expectations and the ability to embrace life as it unfolded.
“Whatever controls us is our lord. The person who seeks power is controlled by power. The person who seeks acceptance is controlled by acceptance. We do not control ourselves. We are controlled by the lord of our lives.”
—Rebecca Pippert
Embracing the Joy of Unexpected Plans
One of the greatest joys I’ve experienced in life is realizing that the unexpected can be better than anything I had planned for myself. When I finally let go of my own expectations, I was able to experience the fullness of life in a completely different way. I allowed myself to be open to the opportunities and surprises that God had for me.
I remember one particular moment that stands out vividly. It was a time when I was in the middle of a stressful project—one that wasn’t going according to my meticulously detailed plan. I was sitting at my desk, overwhelmed and exhausted. It was then that I decided to take a break, to breathe, and to pray. I asked God to take control, to help me see the situation with fresh eyes. It was a simple, quiet prayer, but it changed everything. I found a new approach to the problem—one that worked better than my original plan. In that moment, I realized that God’s plans are always greater, even if they aren’t immediately obvious.
This lesson also translated into my relationships. I learned that holding onto expectations for how others should behave, or what my relationships should look like, only caused friction and disappointment. By letting go and trusting in the goodness of God’s plans, I was able to let people be themselves, and I found joy in the relationships that naturally flourished.
Affirmation Exercise: Letting Go and Trusting
- Every morning, take a moment to affirm this: “I let go of my need to control. I trust that God has good plans for me.”
- Throughout the day, whenever you feel frustrated or anxious, take a deep breath and remind yourself that you are not in control—and that this is a good thing.
The Power of Testimony
In the journey of trusting God’s plans, I’ve also come to realize that my experiences are not just for me—they are meant to be shared. Our testimonies have the power to impact others, to inspire, and to create change. When I began sharing my story with others—both the successes and the failures—I was amazed at how it resonated with people.
We often think that we need to hide our struggles, that showing vulnerability means showing weakness. But in sharing the trials and challenges I faced, I found that I was able to connect with others on a deeper level. We all experience setbacks, disappointments, and times when we feel lost. And in those moments, hearing someone else’s story of overcoming and trusting can be a beacon of hope.
Personal Reflection: The Joy of Sharing My Story
I remember sharing my story at a small gathering. I spoke about the time I had lost my way, about my desire to control everything and how it led to disappointment. I also shared how letting go and trusting in God’s plans brought me to a place of joy and peace. Afterward, a woman approached me with tears in her eyes. She said that she had been struggling with the exact same issue, and hearing my story gave her hope. That was when I realized that our stories—our testimonies—are not just for us. They are meant to be shared to bring light to others.
“In your struggles, you will find strength. In your testimony, others will find hope.”
Joy in Every Step of the Journey
God’s good plans aren’t just about the big, transformative moments. They are also in the small, everyday moments—the simple joys of life that we often overlook. When we let go of our need to control and simply trust, we open ourselves to experiencing joy in every step of the journey.
Joy can be found in the mundane—in the morning coffee, in the laughter of a friend, in the quiet of an early morning walk. It can be found in the challenges too, in the resilience we build as we overcome obstacles, in the courage we find in the face of fear. When we trust that God’s plans are good, every moment becomes an opportunity for joy.
Reflection Exercise: Finding Joy in the Everyday
- Write down three simple things that brought you joy each day.
- Reflect on how these moments make you feel and how you can create more opportunities to experience joy, even in the small things.
Conclusion: You Were Made for Good Plans
You were created with purpose, and God has good plans for your life. These plans may not always align with your expectations, and that’s okay. The beauty of life lies in the unexpected, in the moments of surrender, and in the joy that comes from trusting something greater than ourselves. Let go of your need to control every outcome. Trust that God’s plans are good and that joy is found not in achieving a perfect outcome, but in embracing the journey along the way.
I invite you to trust that God has good plans for you. Let joy be the driver of your life. Let go of the control, the rigid expectations, and open yourself to the beautiful surprises that are waiting for you. Remember that your story—your journey—is not just for you. Share it, and let it be a source of hope for others.
