When God Changes Your Plans

There is not a person on the planet whose life hasn’t changed in some way due to the coronavirus. We’ve had to change our daily routines, our work and school schedules, our hygiene habits, our worship practices, our travel plans, etc. One of the biggest challenges we are all dealing with is the inability to make plans because there are so many unknowns and uncertainties. And frankly, we’re not used to that. All of us are constantly planning where we are going, who we are going to see, and what we are going to do which can give us the illusion of control over our lives and cause us to be presumptuous about the future. And sometimes God has to disrupt our lives and interrupt our plans to remind us that He is the One who controls our lives so that we don’t forget to include Him in our plans. Proverbs 16:9 says, "The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.” The coronavirus has given all of us an opportunity to put this verse into practice. And James wants to help in this passage by reminding us that while planning is a normal, natural part of life, so is change. Life is subject to change. He warned us not to take anything for granted, but to give serious consideration to SIX FACTORS whenever we are making plans so that God does not get left out of our plans. The simple lesson is if after making plans or setting our course in a specific direction, and the Lord sees fit to overrule and alter our plans or redirect our lives, then we must humbly and gladly submit to His will for our lives.

1. THE INCAPABILITY OF MAN (v. 13)

2. THE UNCERTAINTY OF LIFE (v. 14a)

3. THE BREVITY OF LIFE (v. 14b)

4. THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD (v. 15)

5. THE AUDACITY OF BOASTING (v. 16)

6. THE INIQUITY OF NEGLECT (v. 17)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS James 1:22 says, “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” These questions are designed to help you apply today’s message to your life. We encourage you to thoughtfully answer these questions and discuss your answers with others. For more information about joining a Grow Group that uses these questions as the basis for weekly discussion, prayer, and accountability, please call the church office at (936) 582-1977.

1. What has been one the biggest and/or most difficult changes you have had to deal with as a result of the coronavirus? What are some plans you have had to alter?

2. What are some future plans you are in the process of making right now for your life? When making plans, do you usually take into consideration the things James mentioned in this passage or are you guilty of leaving God out of your plans?

3. How do you respond when your plans don’t work out? Do you get upset when things don’t go as you planned? Do you pout when your expectations go unmet? Do you stress out and run around and try to fix it? What do these responses indicate about your attitude toward God’s will?

4. Read Psalm 39:4-5, 90:1-6, and 10-12. Why is it important to live every day in light of these verses?

5. Read Acts 18:21, 1 Corinthians 4:19, and 16:7. How can you follow Paul’s example whenever you talk about things you are planning to do in the future?

6. Read Matthew 7:21, Mark 3:36, Ephesians 6:6, 1 Peter 4:2, and 1 John 2:17. Based on these verses what is one of the distinguishing marks of a true believer? Is your life marked by a willingness to do what God wants you to do more than what you want to do?

7. Thank God that He is a whole lot smarter than you and His plans are a whole lot better than yours. Ask Him to help you not resent or resist His will for your life but gladly accept and humbly submit to it. Ask Him to grant you the faith to believe that whenever He changes your plans that means He has a better one