God's Plan vs My Plan

Today, we’re tackling a topic that touches every believer at some point in their journey: God’s Plan vs. My Plan – Surrendering Our Desires and Aligning with His Will.

How often do we make plans for our future, only to find that things don’t unfold the way we expected? Maybe it’s a career path, a relationship, a dream we’ve been holding onto, or a situation where we feel God is calling us in a different direction than we envisioned. Let’s unpack this together with biblical truths, real-life encouragement, and practical ways to surrender our desires to God.

Transcript

The Bible reminds us that while we may have plans, it is ultimately God who directs our steps:

"Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails." (Proverbs 19:21, NIV)

This verse reveals a truth that can be both comforting and challenging. We like to believe that we are in control of our lives. We set goals, make decisions, and work toward success. But when things don’t go according to our expectations, we often wrestle with frustration, doubt, or even anger towards God.

Even Jesus Himself modeled surrender when He prayed in Gethsemane before His crucifixion:

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." (Luke 22:42, NIV)

If Jesus, the Son of God, needed to surrender to the Father’s will, how much more do we need to align our hearts with His divine purpose?

Segment 2: Why We Struggle to Surrender So why do we find it so difficult to give up our own plans?

1. Fear of the Unknown – We like predictability and control. Trusting God requires faith that His plans are better than ours, even when we can’t see the full picture (Jeremiah 29:11).
2. Attachment to Our Desires – Sometimes, we hold onto things too tightly, believing they define our happiness or worth. But Jesus reminds us:
   "Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it." (Matthew 10:39, NIV)
3. Impatience – We want things in our timing, but God operates on an eternal clock. Waiting can be hard, but Isaiah 40:31 reminds us that "those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength."
4. Doubt in God’s Goodness – We may struggle to trust that God truly has our best interest at heart. But Romans 8:28 assures us:
   "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Segment 3: Biblical Examples of Surrendering to God

Let’s look at a few biblical figures who had to surrender their plans to align with God’s will:

• Abraham and Isaac (Genesis 22) – Abraham was willing to give up his beloved son in obedience to God, trusting that God had a greater purpose. His faith led to blessings beyond what he could have imagined.
• Joseph (Genesis 37-50) – Joseph had dreams of greatness, but his journey was filled with betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment. Despite detours, he remained faithful, and in God’s timing, he was elevated to a position that saved many lives.
• Mary, the Mother of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38) – Mary had her life planned out, but when the angel announced she would bear the Messiah, she responded with faith: "I am the Lord's servant... May your word to me be fulfilled."

Each of these individuals had to let go of personal plans to embrace a divine calling.

Segment 4: How Do We Surrender to God?

1. Pray for God’s Will to Be Done
   • Prayer is where we bring our desires before God and ask Him to shape them according to His will. Philippians 4:6-7 reminds us to bring everything to God in prayer and trust in His peace.
2. Seek Godly Wisdom
   • Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages us to "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." Seek counsel from Scripture, mature believers, and spiritual mentors.
3. Hold Plans Loosely
   • James 4:13-15 warns against boasting about our plans, reminding us that we should say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."
4. Develop a Heart of Gratitude
   • Instead of focusing on what we lack, we should cultivate gratitude for what God is already doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 urges us to "Give thanks in all circumstances."
5. Take Steps in Faith
   • Surrender doesn’t mean inaction; it means trusting God as we walk forward. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see."

Segment 5: Encouragement for Those Struggling to Trust God’s Plan

If you’re in a season of uncertainty, remember:

• God’s ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).
• Delays are not denials; God is working even when you can’t see it (Habakkuk 2:3).
• Surrender is not about loss; it’s about making room for something greater (Ephesians 3:20).

Trusting God’s plan can be hard, but when we release control, we step into a peace and purpose far beyond what we could achieve on our own.

As we wrap up today, I encourage you to take some time in prayer. Ask God to reveal areas where you need to surrender, and trust that His plans are good. If this episode encouraged you, share it with a friend who needs to hear it.