“To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the proper answer of the tongue.” — Proverbs 16:1
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Life has a way of not working out according to our expectations. Getting traded, cut or a career-altering injury can be devastating. How we respond to the disappointments, discouragement and failure we experience is the critical key that determines the quality of our emotional and spiritual life, as well as our usefulness to God.
His promises are designed to guide us and support us in His desired purpose for our lives. One of the things I love about the Lord is that He doesn’t waste anything we bring into our relationship with Him — not our fears, not our frustrations, not even our failures! That’s why Romans 8:28-29 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.” If believers are not loving God and progressively being conformed to the image of Christ, they will not see things working together for good.
Proverbs 16:1-4, 9 and 33 all teach us our plans need to be more focused on God’s purposes for us than our own hopes and dreams. Never allow your ambitions to drag you away from the Lord’s purposes for your life. Says pastor Rick Warren, “God’s purpose is greater than your problems, your pain and even your sin.”
— Jerry Birch, Cleveland Cavaliers chaplain
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