3 Things to Do When God Interrupts Your Plans
The sun ascends quietly over the tree line like a promise birthed before our bleary eyes. I have no way of knowing that this day is about to be a lesson on what to do when God interrupts your plans.
It’s our first morning with Rubble and Clover, our two new beagle puppies.
I had plans for our morning, and my plans didn’t include transferring the puppies from one pen to another 15 times. My plans didn’t include the screaming 3-year-old who is terrified by the puppies’ desire to chew absolutely everything. My plans didn’t include breaking up arguments about who is going to hold which puppy and when.
When God Interrupts Your Plans
I crank out some stress on the elliptical while the kids contain the puppies just outside the open basement door.
I’m reminded of the words of a friend who recently challenged me to begin the daily practice of examining which parts of my life I need to release and what God wants me to receive in exchange.
These words have been a sort of mantra for me throughout the past two weeks: Release and receive.
What if we all spent a little less time trying to control our lives and a little more time surrendering to the One who holds all things together?
What if we all spent a little less time trying to control our lives and a little more time surrendering to the One who holds all things together? #surrender #control Click To TweetI wonder what this might look like for my day with the puppies as the elliptical clangs in rhythm with my thrumming heart.
If I release my expectations for this day – if I release my desire to control everything about every moment – there might be room for more laughter.
We might embrace teachable moments.
We might hurry less and have more time for picking daisies along the roadside.
Releasing Your Sense of Control
Most of us like a sense of control. We like to know what’s coming and when it’s coming. We like a firm grip on everything from the behaviors of our children to the future of our career paths.
Dear friend, how would your life be different if you received every interruption today with kindness and grace?
As I live out this challenge, I’m noticing three helpful tips for the moments when interruptions threaten to steal my peace:
1. When God interrupts your plans, trust his purpose.
Proverbs 19:21 reads, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.”
I want to learn to live with an open heart and open hands when interruptions come. I want to gladly receive unexpected guests, delays in my plans, and puppies that interfere with just about every aspect of what the day was “supposed to entail.”
Your interruption might be bigger than a couple of cute puppies. I’ve faced these kinds of interruptions, too. I’ve walked through illnesses that sidelined me for months. I’ve faced shattered dreams and had my heart broken.
When these times come, the secret to maintaining peace is continuing to trust God. God wants us to trust him even when we don’t understand his ways. Ask God to help him trust you when your life is interrupted. He will strengthen your faith and help you grow in trust as you keep a soft and unoffended heart.
2. Remind yourself that you cannot see the whole picture from where you are standing.
When you feel threatened by a loss of control, stop what you’re doing.
Breathe.
Stop to re-frame the situation. You cannot see the full picture from where you are standing.
Your situation might be stressful right now, but will it make a mark in the over-arching story of your life?
If not, open those white-knuckled hands, say a prayer for wisdom, and embrace the reality that God is humbling you.
Even if the moment is likely to change your life, cling to the truth that the Author of your story will never leave you nor forsake you (see Deuteronomy 31:6).
Your situation might be stressful at the moment, but will it make a mark in the over-arching story of your life? #interruptions #stress #encounteringGod Click To Tweet
3. When God interrupts your plans, release and receive.
Every morning, I hold my hands open and ask God to show me what he wants me to release in my life. The reminders that float through my mind often surprise me.
Often, he gently nudges me to release my sense of control over some aspect of my life. This might be my schedule, the behaviors of my children, the future of my writing, or some other part of my life that matters deeply to me.
After releasing it to God, I ask him what he wants me to receive. Sometimes, a single word comes to mind: surrender, joy, peace, or trust. Other times, I think of a Bible verse. When nothing comes to mind, I open my Bible and receive concrete truth for my soul.
This practice is transforming my life. It’s transforming the way I see interruptions.
Some of the best gifts are not planned or expected. They show up with expectations of their own, and in the end, they bless you in ways you never imagined. God wants to use the interruptions in your life to shape you, transform you, and bless you. Today is the day to embrace them.
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