How do you respond when your plans don't work out? Usually I get either disappointed or angry. My disappointment shows me my plans were desires. My anger shows me my plans were goals. The difference lies in whether I control the plans or not. If I don't, it is a desire. If I think I do, it becomes a goal. Either way, I am left trying to figure out how to resolve these emotions and the crumbling plans that produce them. The only lasting and good solution that I have found to that resolution begins with opening up those emotions to Jesus, trusting he has compassion for me in my struggles. In that place of vulnerability to his compassion, he typically points me past my disappointment or anger to trusting in a loving and good Father who is over those plans, in those crumbling plans, and who works through those crumbling plans for his good purposes. First- Compassion. Then - Trust. The order is important. The writer of Hebrews emphasizes this point. "Let us draw near to the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

Posted by Bob Schindler - Community Host at 2021-11-24 13:17:07 UTC