notesbynora

Scripture:
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

We all start out with an idea of what life should look like — a picture we paint in our minds. Maybe it’s the dream career, the perfect marriage, financial stability, or a family that stays close and connected. But somewhere along the way, the picture shifts. Jobs are lost, relationships crumble, plans unravel, and what we imagined no longer matches what we see in front of us.

In those moments, it’s easy to feel like a failure. We begin to measure our worth by what hasn’t worked out — the missed opportunities, the broken dreams, the empty places we thought would be full by now. But here’s the truth: God never measures our lives by our disappointments. He measures them by our trust.

When things don’t look the way we planned, it doesn’t mean God has abandoned us. It means He’s still at work. Sometimes His greatest blessings come through closed doors and detours. The job that didn’t work out may lead to one that fulfills a deeper purpose. The relationship that ended may make room for healing or growth we couldn’t have found otherwise.

God’s timing is not a delay — it’s a design. He is weaving together pieces we can’t yet see. What feels like loss may be preparation for something far greater.

If you feel like your life hasn’t turned out the way you thought it would, take heart — God is not finished with you yet. His plans are always better than ours, and He specializes in rewriting stories.

He still wants abundance for you — not necessarily the kind the world defines, but the kind that fills your soul: peace that can’t be shaken, joy that bubbles up even in the waiting, and purpose that goes far beyond earthly success.

Hold on to that truth. Keep showing up. Keep trusting that the Author of your story is still writing, and that His ending will be worth every unexpected chapter.

Prayer:

Lord, when life doesn’t look the way I thought it would, remind me that You are still in control. Help me to surrender my plans and trust in Yours. Let me rest in the truth that You are working all things for my good — even the things I don’t understand. Teach me to wait with hope, knowing that Your plans for me are full of purpose, peace, and promise. Amen.