God’s Plan Is Better Than Mine

Oct 12

2 min read

October 12, 2026

Listen to counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction, That you may be wise in the time to come. Many plans are in a man’s mind, But it is the Lord’s purpose for him that will stand (be carried out). (Proverbs 19:20–21 AMP)

I wonder how much time we waste trying to figure out what God already knows. We spend so much energy attempting to make sense of situations, determine our next move, and arrange circumstances to work in our favor. And when things don’t go according to plan, we become frustrated, anxious, or convinced something must be wrong.

But what if the problem isn’t that things aren’t working? What if we’re working so hard to make something happen that we haven’t stopped long enough to ask God if it’s supposed to happen?

I’ve learned that just because I can make a plan doesn’t mean it’s God’s plan for me. And just because something makes sense to me doesn’t mean it aligns with His purpose for my life.

The One who created me knows more about what I need than I ever will. He knows the connections that will complement my calling, the environments where I can flourish, and the experiences necessary to prepare me for assignments I haven’t even encountered yet. Why would I attempt to navigate all of that without consulting Him?

What stands out to me in Proverbs 19 is that before we’re reminded that God’s purpose will prevail, we’re instructed to listen, learn, and accept correction. That tells me wisdom requires more than asking God for direction. It requires being willing to receive an answer that may challenge what I’ve already decided.

And that’s where we sometimes struggle. We want God’s blessing on plans we’ve made without His counsel. We ask Him to open doors without considering whether those doors lead to places He ever intended us to go.

I don’t want to spend years pursuing something only to discover I was more committed to my preferences than His purpose.

There’s nothing wrong with having goals, making plans, or pursuing opportunities. But I’ve come to understand that surrendering my plans to God doesn’t diminish my possibilities. It allows Him to direct me toward what is actually best for me.

So, as we begin this week, perhaps the question isn’t, “How am I going to make this happen?” Maybe it’s, “God, is this what You want for me, and am I willing to follow Your direction even if it differs from mine?”

Because getting what I want means very little if it costs me what God intended.

And I’ve lived long enough to know that God’s purpose will always be worth more than a plan I was determined to make work.

“I don't want to become so determined to make my plans work that I miss what God has already purposed for my life.” — DeMi

Journal Prompts