God's Plan is Better

Sunflowers are so beautiful! I have always absolutely LOVED flowers, especially sunflowers. With their delicate beauty, they portray God and His love in a thousand ways.

Earlier this past summer, I saw a sign for a sunflower festival at a cute little farm a few hours away from my house. I knew for sure that I wanted to go, but unfortunately.... it completely slipped my mind and I forgot to plan for it. A few weekends later I remembered the event and frantically googled to see if it had happened yet. I was just a hair too late. The festival was going on that very moment, and I was not in a position to drop everything and drive out towards it. I was incredibly bummed. As I was driving later that very same day, a sign flashed in the corner of my eye. It said “U-Pick Sunflowers.” At the end of the day, instead of going to a big sunflower festival, I found myself strolling through a quiet and peaceful field of sunflowers, trying to decide which one I wanted to take with me. While I had been frustrated and disappointed, God had been patiently waiting to surprise me with something He knew would fill my heart. Every time I think I know what is best for me, God comes in with something better.

Being outside, surrounded by flowers brings me joy and contentment. It is a place where I consistently feel the ability to be still and connect with God on a deeper level. Knowing me, I thought that the festival would bring me joy and connection. But God, knowing me, knew that a quiet and peaceful garden was waiting for me just around the corner and it would fill my heart even more. Trust is hard. Letting go of control is hard. Believing that God will work things out is HARD because He usually doesn’t do it in the way we expect. How do we stay steadfast in trust? One way is to remind ourselves of truths.

“God knows me better than I know myself.”

“God truly has my very best interests at heart.”

“God can see the whole picture and how all the pieces of my life and others’ fit together.”

“God wants to give me the desires of my heart.”

“God has proven Himself over and over again. He will not let me down.”

“God has promised to work absolutely everything for good. He never breaks His promises.”

“God does not want me to be sad or angry or hurt or shamed. He wants me to be joyful.”

“God can see beyond my current suffering and my difficulties to the bright and beautiful future.”

I know that not every let down in life is as simple or picturesque as a missed sunflower festival. Believe me I wish it were so easy! I don’t know what you are going through. I don’t know what disappointment you’ve had to endure and what hardship you’ve faced. What I do know is that WITHOUT A DOUBT your Savior sees and hears you. He feels your pain and will support you if you just lean on Him. He is BURSTING with anticipation as He leads you towards the joy and beauty that is waiting for you. He knows the incredible future that is in store for you. He will walk with you every step of the way and never once leave your side. So focus on His guiding hand of truth as He guides you through the tunnel and into the glorious light.

Friends, let’s SHOWER our siblings in Christ with encouragement and hope! Together, we will speak truth into each other’s lives to hold onto as we run this race! Comment below: What truth is God laying on your heart today?