Is There a Plan for my Life?

Jeremiah 29:11 states:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

You may be thinking right now “How could God have a future for me when my future is gone?” We make statements like this, especially during times of grief and despair, and at this moment in your life, it will be hard for you to see that God does indeed have a future for you. The problem that many of us face is that we look to see what is right in front of us based on our current journey (in life, or… based on our current situation) and our own assumptions, and then we listen to the thoughts and ideas of those around us to shape what our future is to be. As a human being with feelings, fears, and concerns this is understandable, but as a child of God, our faith in Him is what should be at the forefront of every direction and decision made for and in our lives. This type of thinking sounds so simple when it’s heard or read, but it is completely different when put it into action.

The biggest struggle that we face in the death of a spouse is in understanding the “why” of it all. There is no answer—at least not one you will be able to understand or accept, especially right now. However, God will one day show you why things happened the way they did, and you will be shown that it was all part of His plan, as the verse states. Remember, His plan is to give you hope and a future, even when the future may look different from what you imagined. Think for a moment just how blessed you are. God chose you to have the opportunity to be the husband or wife of an amazing person. This individual helped shape you, mold you, teach you, and hold you together during the good and bad times of your life. No one else was granted the privilege of a life shared with this person but you. Now that you understand this, think for a moment where your life would be if you did not meet this person and shared your life together. There would be so many facets about you that would be different. But, in turn, you were given a life with this person as preparation for life without them. This may seem tough to understand and even perhaps callous, but this statement rings true, and it will need to be internalized.

In order for God to work out His plans in you, you must release your hurt, grief, and anger. You will have to know in your heart that God’s love for you is bigger than any pain you may feel right now. Every time you cry, He cries. Every time you hurt, He hurts. This shows how deeply He cares for you. He wants what is best for you, and what is best for you is not always what you may think it is. Remember, He is with you every second of every day, even when you don’t think He is near. He knows this part of your journey is hard and painful, but He, and only He, knows what is to come. Find peace in knowing that someone is with you, helping you through every good and bad day. Someone is watching out for you and paving the way ahead to a bright future. It will undoubtedly look different from what you planned, but it will be perfectly designed for you and for the blessings that are to come. You have indeed been blessed. Even though you’re hurting today, don’t think for one moment that God does not have a plan for you or that He has taken His hands off of you and not continued to shape you in His image, for His glory. Talk to Him. Spend time with Him. Ask Him what you can do to ensure that you are living in accordance to His word. Let Him direct your footsteps. He will show you, deep in your heart, and He will place you at your destiny’s door with a much greater purpose than you could have imagined.