Dash of Sass: God’s Plan Vs. Our Plan

GodHow many times do we get angry and upset with God, thinking He has forgotten us or is ignoring us or isn’t answering our prayer? Only to later look back and see how detrimental it would have been to us had He brought us the thing we were begging for and thought we couldn’t live without? We’re stuck down here in the details of everyday life, but God sees all. He sees the big picture. He knows where we’ve been and He knows where we’re going and He is never going to bring us anything that would be an impediment to His greater plan for our lives. For eight years I loved the same guy who kept flitting in and out of my life, never staying but never really fully going…and I would literally beg God to just make him mine once and for all or to remove him from my life all together. And for eight years that prayer remained seemingly unanswered. Until the day I stopped asking God for what I wanted and started asking Him “what do YOU want me to learn from this person and this experience?” Within a few months of my surrender and that prayer, the answer became clear and the guy was removed from my life and my heart (though the heart part has been a process) forever. So today I urge you to adjust your perspective a bit and maybe approach your prayers in a different way. Stop asking God for YOUR plan and start asking Him what HIS plan is as far as the situation you are praying about is concerned…and watch what happens. You can lean into God. You CAN trust Him. His plan may not be the one you would have chosen for yourself, but it is so much better than anything you could possibly imagine for yourself. Even if you can’t see it right now. He loves us far too much to let us settle for less than His best.

34 Responses to “ Dash of Sass: God’s Plan Vs. Our Plan ”

  1. C
    May 7, 2015

    Wow thanks! I needed this one today.

    • Cait
      May 24, 2015

      Thankyou Mandy I really needed to hear this today! It’s true I just need to put my trust in God!

    • September 20, 2015

      Oooh Mandy, girrlll. This is the answer I needed. I’ve been trying to figure out what I want to do with my life considering who God made me to be, but I haven’t taken the time to ask HIM what HE wants me to do with my life, in the area of my career. Thank you. Please keep writing.

    • Becky
      September 2, 2016

      Thank you for this! ❤

  2. tasha
    May 7, 2015

    I loved the story I have been feeling down and sad for days asking god to remove those meaning me nothing good from my life it hurts so bad because some i really care about some are even my parents I often feel no support from the no matter how may acvomplishments i make in life not even phone calls for month. i just think that god wants me to do better by my kids but ill try this prayer thank you

    • Cheryl
      May 24, 2015

      Hey Tasha, I know how that feels. I am a single parent of two children and since my mum died 8 years ago, I’ve had very little contact from my remaining family. I’ve initiated most of it and had been looking to them for love and support. I’ve just recently came back to the Lord and already he has given me a church family and some friends I can talk to. My family aren’t able to give me what I need, but I’ve found that God can give me that love and security and Christian friends who take time to listen to me. I hope this comforts you in some way. God loves you and cares for you, open up to another Christian about how you feel. I’ve had to do that and found that other people have similar experiences. Love Cheryl xx

  3. May 7, 2015

    I’ve prayed over and over since my husband left me almost 2 years ago. I’ve prayed for a face to face apology, the “why’s” of why he left, ” is he coming back,” and the list goes on. I’m cool with what God has planned for me. Now I know how to ask!! Thanks!

  4. Miriam
    May 8, 2015

    …I couldn’t agree more!

  5. Eniola
    May 10, 2015

    I agree; God is Faithful. I had a similar experience , but now, almost everyday, I kneel and dance that God removed him from my life. God healed me of every low esteem he gave to me through his words and actions. I would have been somewhere bad if we ended up together.
    we can always trust God for the best; He knows the best for us.

    • August 13, 2015

      I can relate to your story!!

  6. n
    May 10, 2015

    Its true it gets very hard sometimes, especially when you think God has forgotten about me….

  7. May 13, 2015

    It’s hard to understand His plans for us especially if it’s far from what we want to happen. But once we start to surrender, beautiful things start to happen. Miracles unfold and answers start coming in. Amazing.

  8. Juliana
    May 20, 2015

    Wow thank you, I just realized once again how amazing our GOD are

  9. alicia
    May 24, 2015

    i had the same situation as yours! thank you for sharing this…

  10. Msking2u
    May 24, 2015

    This was right on time……I’ve been praying for GOD to remove this situation but I’ve never asked in pray what is it that he wants me to learn from this situation……thanks for giving me a new direction!

  11. May 24, 2015

    I needed to hear that. Thank you

  12. Jessica
    May 24, 2015

    This is what I needed to hear. There is a guy I have been spending time with and kept asking God to give him to me or take him out completely. When I finally asked what God wanted I asked the guy to take me a ride on his motorcycle and he said no becaude there was a weight limit. I had been making excuses for the way the guy was treating me and when I finally gave it to God He showed me exactly what the guy was like with that one answer that crushed me. I don’t know when my mister right will come but I know God would not let me be with someone who treats me with so little respect.

  13. mj
    May 24, 2015

    i’ve been asking God for a job & for Him to help me decide on this guy i’ve been with,to guve me this guy or just tale him away & pls give me the man He has destined for me.i’ve always trusted God with everything in my life but still have a “back up plan”.but upon reading this i realized i’m hurting God bec it’s like i don’t entrust everything to Him fully.thanks for this message.it always is best for us to do our best & still leave everything to Him.Is plans are way better than pur grandest dreams!God bless us all!

    • Jana
      June 6, 2015

      Thanks for sharing. I agree and it’s a revelation to me too that I may be hurting God by not entrusting everything to Him fully.

  14. May 24, 2015

    This definitely made me think about the way I have been praying. I appreciate your insight. As well as sharing your journey it has blessed me tremendously!

  15. sarah
    May 24, 2015

    God uses the broken pieces to turn them into masterpieces.
    Sometimes God has to remove things from our lives that will prevent/ are preventing us to achieve our full God Purpose. These things are usually very painful. The breaking of our outward man/self is to empty the vessel in which God can then use to re fill for His purpose

  16. Sally_ya
    May 25, 2015

    Have been struggling with been praying but haven’t been listening. Have barely began to accept that this is not Gods plan for me and let go. How much more was I willing to take had he not showed me who this man really was a liar. I will continue to be strong and pray that God leads me and gives me strength to get through this, past it and learn from it. Keep me in prayers.

    • Camille
      May 26, 2015

      Just open your heart and be more willing to accept what it might be that God wants to give you. Just keep praying and I know God will give you the strength you need because he does the same for me. I’ll pray for you!

  17. JB
    May 25, 2015

    Great story! I am currently going through a similar situation,not a guy thing though. I am going through a time in my life where i am asking God for a change. It’s seems that every area in my life have been on hold. I think fear has kept me back from achieving the changes i need. I will use ur pray method. Thank you for the encouragement and inspiration.:-) God Bless!

  18. Camille
    May 26, 2015

    I must say, I would have to completely agree with this post wholeheartedly. A few months ago, I was struggling with my relationship with God because I was angry with him for not giving me what I wanted. Little did I know he was protecting me and eventually gave myself to him asking him what his plan is for my life. Within a few weeks, God gave me something I would have never thought of having in a million years. With every aspect of this post I experienced within the last few months and for those who are struggling to figure out God’s plan like I did, just be patient and pray. God will give you the best even if it means holding it out for a little while. Just know God is always there for you and will continue to take care of you.

  19. CB
    May 29, 2015

    I’ve just started reading this blog…I’m struggling at the moment and feel so lonely. This week has been particularly tough…what I thought was the start of a greay relationship has ended suddenly with no explanation and then someone who I’d almost gotten out of my system appeared last night and I stupidly spent the night with him. So today has left me feeling like the biggest fool and lowest of the low. It’s going to be a long lonely weekend…all my friends are nowhere to be seen this weekend.
    I don’t like to grumble as I know there are others with greater struggles but I didn’t realise quite how much I’m struggling with life at the moment.
    I’m hoping these reads will provide me with strength.

    • Niesha
      July 18, 2015

      I can relate with feeling lonely, especially after a break-up. I can also relate to welcoming back someone in your life who you thought you got out of your system. Although we make unwise decisions at times, we learn and grow from them. Draw closer to God, open your Bible, pray..trust me He listens. Once you begin to do that, you will start noticing changes in your life. It’s an awesome feeling to realize we are not ever alone, we have someone we can always depend on, who will never let us down and welcomes us with open arms whenever we make wrong decisions. Just for that i am thankful. And sweetheart, Your struggles are just as important as everyone else’s, stay strong and pray. May God bless you, comfort you, and fill you with his everlasting love.

  20. Jana
    June 6, 2015

    Thanks Mandy. It is a challenge for me to let go of things and people I have been holding on to for years. I will try and pray differently.

  21. Lala
    June 23, 2015

    You are spot on, Mandy! So profound and inspiring!

  22. Mimi
    September 21, 2015

    Thank you for this post. I’ve been in a relationship with a guy that I knew deep down in my heart wasn’t good for me for 5 years. One day out of the blue told me not to contact him anymore, he is getting married. I didn’t know to laugh or cry. I had been asking God to remove him from my life or open my eyes to why I should continue to see him….well I got my answer…it hurts but Thank You God and Mandy.

  23. retha
    September 22, 2015

    I am inspired …This is what i needed to hear .now I know that i must change how i pray

  24. TM
    December 30, 2015

    This is inspiring. I believe GOD wanted me to meet the guy I was seeing (HE just lined everything up so perfectly so that we could meet). Then the guy started to treat me poorly and I asked GOD “Why would you want me to meet someone like this?” Then I got my answer. GOD wanted me to meet someone like that so that I could learn what NOT to settle for. To learn that I deserved be treated well and not poorly. To learn that I am WORTH A LOT. To learn not to let anyone take me for granted. It was a hard lesson to learn, but I got it. And oddly enough, the guy in question is acting a little more decent these days–but I’m moving on. If he’s meant to be in my life, he’ll catch up.

  25. Gladys Garcia
    January 20, 2016

    Hi Mandy, you are always an inspiration. Read your two books which were published and I really can’t stop crying..
    I also have my own Mr. E.. what a coincidence because he is really my dearest Ernest..
    He left me without looking back and without hesitation.
    Without thinking if I’ll be okay or whatsoever..
    Its been moooooonths now and Im still crying so so hard..
    Because I love the guy so so bad..
    I keep on praying and having my faith that he will comeback and he will realize my worth-.
    I have my faith in it..
    And I keep on telling the Lord.. Lord.. let me wait for two years..
    Let me demonstrate my faith for two years..
    I don’t know.. I am not sure if he will comeback..
    But I know in myself.. once he comeback..
    My answer will always be a Yes.

  26. Rebecca
    February 24, 2016

    Wow! This sounds so much like my situation. You are truly an inspiration! I have known for a while this is exactly what I need to do, but I don’t think I am quite ready to accept the reality if he is removed from my life, however, I know this is what I must do. Thank you so much. God continue to bless your life and use you to help other women.

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Life doesn’t always look the way we want it to look. In Mandy’s upcoming book, Turn Toward the Sun: Releasing What If and Embracing What Is, you’ll find encouragement to live in the moment, sit with your experiences, and trust God with the unknown.
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Something wonderful is on the horizon
Turn Toward the Sun CoverLife doesn’t always look the way we want it to look. In Mandy’s upcoming book, Turn Toward the Sun: Releasing What If and Embracing What Is, you’ll find encouragement to live in the moment, sit with your experiences, and trust God with the unknown.
Preorder from Baker Book House for 40% off and free shipping!*
*US shipping only