By Keri Eichberger
Bible Verse:
“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” — 1 Peter 5:6-7
We all make plans. I dreamed of getting married right after college, but heartbreak changed that path. I hoped to celebrate my 27th birthday with my first child, but I lost that baby to miscarriage. I imagined trips to California and Italy for my wedding anniversaries, but those trips never happened. And a family beach trip for my parents’ 50th anniversary was cut short by a sudden illness.
Life rarely goes exactly as we envision. I’ve missed out on ballgames because of rain, missed celebrations due to illness, and missed church because of a back injury. Plans get disrupted — sometimes in small ways, sometimes in life-altering ways.
So, how do we cope when our hopes don’t come true? When disappointment hits hard, it’s easy to question why we hope at all. Some might decide to stop dreaming or planning. Others might try to plan more carefully, hoping to avoid future letdowns.
Here’s what I’ve learned: planning, hoping, and dreaming are good — they bring joy and anticipation. But the key is placing God at the center of those hopes. Our ultimate hope should not be in our plans, but in God’s perfect plan. He is in control, and His plan will always lead to good, even when our own plans fail.
1 Peter 5:6 reminds us to “humble ourselves under God’s mighty hand” so He can lift us up at the right time. We can trust Him to care for us, to hold our worries, and to guide us through life’s detours.
When things don’t go as planned, remember: God’s timing and plan are perfect. What feels like a derailment may just be a redirection to something better than we imagined.
A Prayer for When Plans Fall Apart
Lord God,
You hold my life in Your hands. I confess that I often try to control my days and future, and I feel crushed when things don’t go as I hoped. Help me to surrender my plans to You, to trust Your greater purpose, and to cast all my worries on You.
Teach me to wait patiently, knowing You will lift me up in Your perfect time. May my hope always be rooted in You — my refuge and strength. Let me find joy and peace in Your unfailing love.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
About the Author:
Keri Eichberger is a devoted follower of Jesus from Kentucky, married with five children. She is an ordained minister and author of Win Over Worry: Conquer What Shakes You and Soar With the One Who Overcomes. Keri encourages readers with faith-based devotionals and inspires hope through her writing. Connect with her at KeriEichberger.com or on Instagram.
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