Have you ever felt like you should be in the driver’s seat of your own life? After all, it’s your life, right? So why would anyone else get to make the plan? The idea of handing over the wheel can be unsettling, but the truth is, as followers of Jesus, we’re called to live out His plan for our lives, not our own. It sounds counterintuitive at first—especially when society is all about "living your truth" and "chasing your dreams"—but God’s Word tells us there’s a better way.
This article will help you consider the benefits and purpose in following God's plan for your life. It will also provide practical ways you can align your focus with His.
Let’s be honest: we’ve all made plans that didn’t exactly work out. Maybe it was a career that didn’t take off or a relationship that didn’t last. We’ve all been there! But the Bible reassures us that God’s plan is far superior to anything we could come up with on our own.
Proverbs 16:9 says, “The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” How many times have you planned something, only to have God redirect you to something better? The Lord isn’t just stepping in to mess up our plans—He’s leading us into a plan that’s bigger, better, and more fulfilling than anything we could imagine.
Related: 1-Month Daily Bible Readings about Making Plans
One of the hardest things to do is let go of control, especially when it comes to the big decisions in life. But here’s the thing: we were never meant to carry the full weight of our lives. God invites us to let Him lead, to live according to His purpose for us.
Jeremiah 29:11 is one of those verses you’ve probably seen on coffee mugs and Instagram posts. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Notice the key part: God knows the plans. Not us. Trusting Him means loosening our grip and saying, “God, I trust that You’ve got this.”
Related: Journey to Freedom: Where Freedom is Lost or Gained
Here’s something we often miss: God’s plan for our lives is ultimately about His glory. Wait, what? Doesn’t that seem selfish? Not at all! The amazing thing is that when God is glorified, it brings us the deepest joy.
Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” We’re not just stumbling through life hoping to make it work; God already has a purpose for us, and it’s been set in motion long before we even knew Him. When we live according to His plan, we get to play a part in something far bigger than ourselves.
Okay, great—so God’s plan is better, but how do we actually live it out? Here are a few practical ways to start living according to God’s plan:
Pray for guidance. Seems obvious, right? But how often do we really ask God to lead us before we make decisions? James 1:5 tells us that if we ask God for wisdom, He will give it to us generously. Pray specifically for clarity in your daily decisions.
Related: Does Prayer Really Work? (10 Secrets to Effective Prayer)Be willing to pivot. Sometimes God’s plan requires us to shift gears—maybe even do a complete 180! Be open to change, even when it feels inconvenient or uncomfortable. Remember Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”
Seek wise counsel. God often speaks to us through others. Surround yourself with people who are grounded in Scripture and can offer wise, godly advice. Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
Let go of your timeline. We love to rush things, don’t we? But God’s timing is perfect. Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us that “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Trust that God is working even when things don’t happen as fast as we’d like.
Related: 5-Step Guide to Fasting and Praying With IntentionHere’s the kicker: when we stop trying to live out our own plan, we actually find more freedom, not less. Jesus says in Matthew 16:24, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Denying ourselves and following Jesus may sound like giving up freedom, but in reality, it’s where true freedom is found.
When we live out God’s plan for our lives, we are no longer weighed down by the pressure of trying to figure everything out. We get to step into the peace of knowing that our Creator has already designed a path for us that leads to life, joy, and purpose. We’re free to let go of the stress and lean into His grace, trusting that He knows exactly what He’s doing.
At the end of the day, living out someone else’s plan for our life—God’s plan—isn’t about giving up our dreams or passions. It’s about surrendering to a purpose that is infinitely greater, more meaningful, and more fulfilling than we could ever dream up on our own. So take a deep breath, loosen your grip on the wheel, and let the One who knows you best guide you into the life He’s planned for you. You won’t regret it.