Have you ever had one of those days when things didn’t go as planned? Do you wish you had just stayed in bed? All of us have had small things go wrong in our lives. They give us a small headache and slight discomfort. But sometimes, it is bigger than burned toast and lost car keys. Sometimes, the world around you is falling apart. Even if you had a backup plan, it, too, can seem hopeless. That happened to me a few years ago. While working, I got a backhoe stuck in the mud. The more I tried to get it out, the deeper it went. I proceeded to use a bulldozer to get the backhoe out – and I buried it in the mud! I eventually learned how to get them unstuck all by myself, but that day, my small job turned into a huge mess!

Sometimes the plans you had for your life are interrupted, shall I say blind-sided, by “dream-crushers”. Maybe the plans for your job, children, and marriage have failed. Who would have thought they would be jobless at age 46? Maybe your perfect marriage of 20 years has been suddenly interrupted by adultery and divorce. Perhaps you find out that your kid has been on drugs or is even in jail? Sometimes bad news hits us between the eyes like a ton of bricks. Cancer. The death of a child. Three months, maybe weeks, to live. Everybody has dreams, but it can feel like they have all been swept away in a moment when things don’t go as you had planned.

Maybe none of these things have happened to you. Maybe tragedy has passed you by. But maybe you still feel like your dreams will never come. Something always seems to sideline what you feel like is best for your life. The things we assume will happen to us in life don’t always happen. When we are faced with any kind of trial, we are often blown away. We assume that our plans and aspirations are what God intended for our lives. Why aren’t they happening? Why isn’t my “storybook ending” working out? When things don’t go as planned, we are left empty and spinning our wheels.

John 16:33 is an amazing verse. Jesus and the disciples had been doing great things all around them. The disciples are seeing their lives fulfilled. No longer are they fishermen and tax collectors. No longer are they reject-rabbis. They have a purpose. But Jesus just rocked their world and told them He was going away. What! You can’t, Jesus! Life is good. We are finding our purpose. This is not how things are supposed to go. Then, like only Jesus can, He comforts their grief. He told them, “I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

What was Jesus saying to them? The same thing He is saying to you and me today. Our purpose is found in Him, but we have to remember to look to Christ as our only source of fulfillment. We will have trouble in this world – expect it. But Jesus offers peace. He has overcome the world. When Jesus said, “But take heart,” He offered healing to a broken heart. He was giving peace to a disappointed soul. He was supplying hope during a storm.

Christ is our anchor when the world is tossing our lives back and forth. When our lives start to be rocked by this hurtful world, we need to remember to look to Christ’s cross as a reminder of what God has done to redeem our circumstances. God loves you. The plans for your life are trivial compared to the ones He has for you. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “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.” It goes on to say that when you call on God, He will listen. When you seek Him with your whole heart, you will find Him.

Maybe you don’t understand what is going on in your life right now. But remember to trust God. Trust is what you need when you don’t possess understanding. If you are desperate for answers and relief, trust in Jesus. He knows the plan for your life. He desires to walk you through each step, including the painful ones. Remember the last part of Psalm 30:5, “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” The suffering we all endure in this fallen world can seem unbearable without the joy and peace that only Christ can bring. While we may be utterly desperate and unprepared when suffering comes, Christ is a solid rock (1 Corinthians 10:4). “On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand. All other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

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stephenrharrison

Stephen Harrison is the Lead Pastor at The Summit Church in Saline County Arkansas (www.thesummitchurch.org). Stephen and Haley began dating at age 15 (Haley) and 16 (Stephen) but met in the preschool as they grew up together in church. During Stephen’s previous pastorate, he led the church to plant two other churches and baptize 600+ in 9 years.

Stephen attended Williams Baptist College and earned a BA in Biblical Studies from Ouachita Baptist University, an MA, MDiv, and DMin in Christian Leadership and Pastoral Ministries from Liberty University.

Stephen has a heart for community engagement and has served on the boards of the White Hall Food Pantry, Inc., Voices for Children Foster Care Ministry, Hope of the Delta Crisis Pregnancy Center, and The CALL foster care and adoption ministry. Stephen helped start the Delta Network Association of Arkansas, which plants, revitalizes, and resources churches in the delta of Arkansas. The Harrison’s have two daughters, Kylee and Abby, and one son, Tate.

Stephen is the author of 7 books. Biblical Elders: a 12-Week Journey in Biblical Eldership, Biblical Deacons: A 12-Week Journey in Biblical Servanthood, How to Have Inner Joy While Experiencing Utter Chaos: A 10-Weei Devotional in Philippians, My Refuge My Strength: A 150-Day Journey Through Psalms, 25 Jesus Filled Days of Christmas: Devotionals to Help Families Keep Their Eyes on Jesus, One on One Discipleship: 52 Discipleship Lessons to Help Disciples Make Disciples, and The Proverbs Man: 31 Days of Walking in Wisdom. All available at http://www.amazon.com.

When not pastoring, Stephen enjoys running, cycling, kayak fishing, reading, writing, camping, fishing, and most importantly spending time with his wonderful family.