When GOD Changes Your Plans
Sometimes we think we’ve got it all figured out. We plan, we prepare, and we move forward, convinced that we’re making the right decisions. But then life throws us a curveball, and suddenly, all those plans come to a screeching halt. That’s exactly what happened when my husband and I tried to leave Missouri and move back to North Carolina. We thought we knew what was best, but GOD had something else in mind.
The Frustration of Waiting
When I was terminated from my job, I knew one thing for sure—I didn’t want to stay in Missouri any longer. We even bought moving boxes back in November, determined to get back to North Carolina before winter hit. But despite all our efforts, nothing moved. We felt stuck, confused, and frustrated.
After months of waiting, we finally made the trip back to Charlotte, excited to be home. We toured 15 houses, convinced that one of them would be our new beginning. But by the end of it all, we left feeling defeated and unsure of our next steps. It was like everything we tried to make happen on our own just kept falling apart.
Seeking GOD's Guidance
My husband and I realized that maybe we were going about this all wrong. Instead of pushing our own plans, we decided to take a step back and fast for seven days, asking GOD to reveal what He wanted for us. We needed clarity, and we knew that only He could provide it.
On the very first day of the fast, we both felt it—travel abroad. It was almost too clear to ignore. By the seventh day, our faith and obedience led us to sign a short-term lease in Playa del Carmen, Mexico—a place we’ve never been before!
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight." — Proverbs 3:5-6
Trusting the Open Door
It’s crazy to think that had we moved back to North Carolina too soon, we would’ve completely missed this opportunity. But sometimes, GOD will close doors and delay plans because He knows there’s something better waiting for us. We didn’t understand it at first, but looking back, we can see His hand in every part of the process.
We’re not just moving somewhere new—we’re stepping out in faith, trusting that GOD has opened this door for a reason. I’ve learned that when GOD shifts your plans, it’s not to hurt you but to bless you in ways you couldn’t have imagined.
A New Beginning
Sometimes, we have to let go of what we think is best and be willing to follow where GOD leads, even when it doesn’t make sense. I don’t know what’s ahead for us in Mexico, but I do know one thing: We’re walking in obedience, and that’s where the blessings are.
If you’re in a place where nothing seems to be moving, maybe it’s time to pause, pray, and ask GOD what He wants. It might just change your life.
Final Thoughts
Don’t let frustration drive your decisions. Lean into GOD and seek His guidance. When He shows you a new path, even if it’s unexpected, trust that He’s got you. Moving abroad wasn’t in our plans, but it was in GOD’s—and that’s enough for us.
"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." — Jeremiah 29:11
Stay encouraged, stay faithful, and remember—sometimes the detour is the blessing.