faith in the key of plan b
I’ve experienced God’s miraculous power in my lifetime. I’ve seen His divine protection and provision. I’ve watched Him do incredible things.
But when my life crumbled around my feet a couple years ago, what God can do and what He was doing didn’t line up.
God could have stopped my husband from cheating on me. He could have changed his mind about leaving me for the other woman. He could have saved my marriage, protected our ministry, and kept my heart from the deepest pain I’ve ever endured. He could have. But He didn’t.
And I realized something simple yet extraordinary.
There’s a difference between faith in what God can do and faith in who God is.
From my microscopic vantage point, it often seems like God’s actions and inactions—what He allows—aren’t consistent with His character. But I can’t see the big picture from my tiny corner in the vastness of eternity.
Because the truth is, His character never changes. No matter what I’m experiencing in my life, God is loving, faithful, and trustworthy. He is just and merciful. He is Healer and Redeemer. And He doesn’t waste a thing.
Nothing—neither the best nor the worst that I’ve known—is wasted. Ever. Everything can be made new. Everything can be made whole. Everything can be redeemed.
Nothing is wasted.
Even when it doesn’t appear that way right now.
My faith is supposed to be about much more than trusting Him to make everything work out according to my “perfect plan”.
After all, He is more concerned about my holiness than my happiness.
So while life continues to unfold very differently than I’d ever imagined, I want to live with active trust in who He is, even in the midst of pain and brokenness.
Easier said than done, I know. The only way I can even think about making this shift is in moment-by-moment decisions of faith.
So right now, I’m choosing to anchor myself in the unmovable bedrock of God’s character.
And trusting that what feels like Plan B (or maybe Plan F) is really His best for me.
Originally a guest post at Refine Us >
mmmm, good stuff there friend.
you’re putting all this in a book right? or devotional of some sort? because your words are THAT GREAT.
love you.
@gritandglory says:
thank you, raisin!
@pa3cia says:
left a comment there…but just want you to know… thank you for allowing your Light to shine in such a dark time in your life.
@atangie says:
Maybe you have said this before and I am just repeating something I read or whatever… it would seem, though, that your grit is leading you to glory. The superficial human glory of fame but also the deep eternal glory of God’s will. Hmmm… Grit and Glory sounds like a mighty fine book title.
@kamriereed says:
I liked the idea that God never changes he is always the same and confident. Even though we have no idea what is going on we are confident in him to guide us.
Beautiful writing. Thank you!
I needed to hear this today – for me.
You’re really something, not rolling yourself into a ball and going into a cave and saying, “I’ll be back again in a few years, I’m not dealing with life anymore.” I know that’s what I’d want to do. There’s so much strength in your struggle.
@gritandglory says:
i definitely have days where i pretty much roll myself into a ball and wish the world away…
“After all, He is more concerned about my holiness than my happiness” That line literally made me lose my breath for a minute… well a second… :)
I needed that today… Good stuff… seriously, write a book. :) xoxoxo
@gritandglory says:
thank you for making me smile, steph!
I left a comment over there.
But I kept thinking about this, and … you know, when it really comes right down to it, God always works in “Plan B” (or “F”) mode. I mean, doesn’t He? Since when is He working with a scenario that includes none of the devil’s handiwork? Since when is He working with a plan that involves no pain, no brokenness, no tears, no heartache? While we are in this world …
… He always works with Plan B. And to my mind … He just may thrive on it. Because in any event, He always gets the glory. Even when it looks like Plan Z.
Beautiful. I hope you feel better. What are your Easter plans?
@gritandglory says:
the family i live with in GA is away on vacation… so i’m housesitting. enjoy having the house to myself but wish i weren’t alone on a holiday…
@chrystieecole says:
I love this. Our faith is in Him, not our life circumstances. When we keep our eyes fixed on Him and His character, we rise above our circumstances.
Girl, you speak my language. Or at least the language I need to hear on a regular basis.
Love you.
sometimes it freaks me out as i’m spending time over here, alece, how much our stories are very very different but have stark similarities your writing, your thought process feels like it is my own!
so often i feel like “but, God, you could have stopped this” or intervened or mended and molded. and I do see glory out of what He is doing in me, through me, but I still wish the pain away.
all that to say, I’m praying for you. praying for your heart just today that the Lord will whisper gently to you and remind you of Himself.
@hannahruthie says:
Nothing is wasted. What a powerful statement.
Sometime I think that there are accidents in my life that God just has to treat like speed bumps — getting past them, wishing they weren’t there, being an annoyance in the road. Really, if they weren’t there I wouldn’t be the “me” that God wants to use. He uses my brokenness. Even if all I see are pieces scattered on the floor, He sees a masterpiece, still in the works, yet still a masterpiece that He is creating.
…I’m embarrassed that this is where I have to pick up. It’s May 10, and yes, it’s been that long since I’ve been caught up on my blog-reading.