Behind The Scenes Planning

“So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” – Matthew 6:31-33.

What’s most important to you? Why is it important? Jesus emphasizes all throughout His ministry the three things that are most important: loving God with all our hearts, loving our neighbor, and seeking after God’s Kingdom. Philippians 1:20-21 tells us “For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.  Still, when we have setbacks we question God’s plan.  

Tough circumstances of life have the potential to change our minds about God. They either push us to doubt what He’s promised, or they draw us closer to Him in faith. The answer to why we have setbacks may never be answered in our lifetime. But even if we knew why, it’s likely we wouldn’t be overly happy with the answers because after all, who wants setbacks.  But that doesn’t change the fact that God has a wonderful plan for your life.  

Your situation may not be good, but I can guarantee you, God is working things out for your good. Sometimes our plans don’t work out because God is preparing us for something greater. God’s plans may not always be clear, but God has a plan for your life that greatly exceeds anything you could ever have planned out for yourself. He tells us in His word, He will never leave us or forsake us. It may not make sense to us today and it may not be what we want. The reality is that God always knows what He is doing, and He never makes any mistakes.

We don’t know what the future will hold, but we know that God will take everything that happens in your life—including every event that is not good by any stretch of the imagination—and combine it together for your good. Job, in the midst of intense suffering, said, “Though [God] slay me, yet will I trust Him” (Job 13:15 KJV). The goal is not to move away or fight God’s plan for our lives. It is easy to trust God when things are going well, but when setbacks occur, all bets are off when it comes to trusting His plan.  

When setbacks happen, we need to trust God. Proverbs 28:26 says, “Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.” What a relief to know that God has a plan for us and He is on our side through our setbacks and comebacks.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you feel about the idea that God has a plan for your life? 
2. Proverbs 3:5-6 is a well-known passage about trust in God with our plans. Read it aloud. What is this verse saying about God? What is it saying about us?
3. What can we do this week to trust more and worry less?