There is an appointed time for everything, and a time for every affair under the heavens. Ecclesiastes 2:1
Do you struggle with God’s timing? Do you ask Him why He didn’t do this for you or that when you wanted it done? Perhaps, your why involves the healing of someone dear to you who is sick, in the hospital. Or, may be, it’s saving a loved one that was taken early in life. It could possibly be some trial you are suffering – a divorce, finances, job loss.
Whatever the affair on this earth, God has it all planned out. He purposefully does not let our meek little minds know His plans for us, present and future. But we can rest assured that His plans are better than ours. Our desires and our timing for events in our lives will not produce the fruit of His desires and timing. In Jeremiah 29:11, He tells us “For I know well the plans I have in mind for you. Plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope.”
Years ago, I remember interviewing for a position that would have been a promotion for me. I didn’t get the job. I was very upset because I felt I was the most qualified candidate for the position. “Why?” Later, my why was answered. Another opportunity came up that was similar in nature. This time I got the job and today, 10 years later, I am still in that role. When I look back at the person who got the other position, he was unhappy. The level of stress was astronomical. The opportunity I fell into fit my family-life balance perfectly with minimal stress. I realized that the first position that I wanted and was disappointed in not getting was not God’s timing for me to be promoted to a leader. His timing was 2 years later, because He knew what I needed and what I didn’t to be successful not only in my career but in my family life.
I still today find it hard to let go and trust God even after seeing so many events in my life that God’s plan worked much better than mine. Why is it hard for us to trust, to place our life, present and future, in God’s hands? Our human nature fears the unknown, the lack of control in situation. We were made to be logical thinkers, to solve problems and so our instinct is to logically put together the pieces of the puzzle of our present and future in our affairs and ask God to deliver them as we see is most logical. When our plan isn’t delivered when we want as we want, then we question God – “Why have you not answered my prayer?” Perhaps that loved one that died early, would have suffered greatly and because God loves so greatly spared him/her by bringing them peace in a better place. Perhaps, the trial you are suffering is refining and purifying you into something that is more valuable than any amount of gold.
We were created to be in union with God, to trust His ways and desire a relationship with Him and let Him love on us in all circumstances. In the depths of our pain, He wants to hold us and draw us closer to Him. At the peak of our joy, He wants to dance with us and rejoice with us. He wants a trusting friendship with us and wants us to rest in His arms, knowing that He sees the big picture and His plans are greater. Trust that “there is an appointed time for everything” and that God does have “plans for your welfare and not for woe”. God has the wide lens, not us.
Women Who Walk By Faith 
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