When Our Plans Aren't God's Plans...Continued from page 1

If there was anyone who felt as if he had control over his plans and future, it would have been Job.  Here was a man who, according to most standards, was a success.  He had a large family, wealth beyond what any of us could imagine, and his health.  Beyond that the Lord said, “He is the finest man in all the earth?a man of complete integrity.  He fears God and will have nothing to do with evil” (Job 1:8).  In other words, he “had it all.” 

“But they do not know the Lord’s thoughts or understand his plan” (Micah 4:12).

At one time or another in everyone’s life, we all face disappointment and plans that don’t meet our expectations.  If you ever think that you’re the only person on earth that has had their plans and dreams shattered, it only takes one episode of auditions from American Idol to confirm that “you are not alone.” 

Emil Zatopek, Four-time Olympic gold medalist, may have prophesied about future American Idol contestants or many of us when he said:

“You can’t climb up to the second floor without a ladder.  When you set your aim too high and don’t fulfill it, then your enthusiasm turns to bitterness.”

Lofty goals and aiming high isn’t wrong, in fact a lot of people probably don’t shoot high enough.  The question, “How do you deal with disappointment and unfulfilled expectations?” arises when our standards aren’t met and the plans we make don’t work out. 

I wonder …

• How many of us have had our enthusiasm for something (or somebody) turn into resentment and bitterness?
• How many of us still carry baggage from our childhood, from a former job, or from a past relationship? 
• How many of us are allowing disappointments from yesterday to impact our lives negatively today?

Outcome

Job wasn’t immune to speaking his peace.  After many days of questions and complaints from Job, God answered him.

“Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?  Brace yourself, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.  Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?  Tell me, if you know so much.  Do you know how its dimensions were determined and who did the surveying?  What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?  Who defined the boundaries of the sea as if burst from the womb, and as I clothed it with clouds and thick darkness? …” (Job 37-41).

Job replied to the Lord, “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.  You ask, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’  It is I.  And I was talking about things I did not understand, things far too wonderful for me?” (Job 42:1-3).