When God, the Author, Rewrites Your Plans - The Crosswalk Devotional - August 28

Audio By Carbonatix

When God, the Author, Rewrites Your Plans
By Hannah Benson

BibleReading:
“The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps” (Proverbs 16:9 ESV).

I just returned from living in the beautiful state of Tennessee for over 4 weeks, working on a feature film project. As I’ve been processing all the Lord has done, I’ve reflected on this verse in Proverbs in particular.

When I was a little girl, it was my dream to serve the Lord through media missions.

As a young woman, how is that dream now a reality?

Only God.

The truth is, we all have dreams, hopes, and plans. There is nothing wrong with making plans and hoping for something. In fact, God often places these desires in our hearts.

What about when our plans fall through? When we feel like we’re praying, begging for a breakthrough, but heaven seems silent, or worse yet, God says no?

There have been times in my life when I found myself on my knees praying for something, only for the door to slam shut. When we have our plans, sometimes we can question why.

Why would God withhold something good from us?

I can’t claim to know God’s reasons. After all, His thoughts are higher than our thoughts, and His ways higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-11). Sometimes, rejection is our protection.

I have often found in my life that God will open doors that will draw me closer to Him and will bring Him the most glory. When He withholds something, it could simply be that I long for that thing more than I long for the will of the Lord to be done.

That’s convicting.

I want to desire God’s will far more than I desire anything else.

That’s hard.

When Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray in Matthew 6, He tells them to start by praying “Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (v. 9, 10 ESV).

Notice the part about “your will be done.” God’s will is perfect. We should have a heart that desires to see God’s perfect will unfold here on earth as it does in heaven. We know God has good plans for us that are far better than anything we could dream or even begin to hope for.

It’s one thing to agree with our lips, but quite another to truly desire in our hearts when God’s will isn’t always ours.

What about when God says no?

When God allows a door to quietly close?

I wish I could say it’s easy to accept those no’s, but I don’t know that it ever gets easier.

When we receive a no from God, sometimes, we may never understand why. Other times, we’ll look back and realize it was His protection or He had different plans that may’ve never unfolded otherwise.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

It can be incredibly difficult when our plans fall apart, when a dream begins to fade, or when a door we’ve knocked on stays firmly locked. It’s okay to grieve and to take our pain to Jesus. In fact, He wants us to share everything on our hearts with Him.

But a closed door, a changed plan, or a dream that feels dead isn’t a sign of God’s abandonment. Instead, it’s proof of God, the Author’s hand over each of our lives, writing in each moment, caring for us so deeply as He sketches out all the details. Think about that.

He cares about us so deeply that He’ll tell us no, shut a door, or change our plans.

As I reflect on my own life, I can see the doors God has closed and others He has flung wide open. If it weren’t for the “no’s” of the past, I don’t think I would’ve received or appreciated all the “yeses” of today. That doesn’t mean there aren’t “nos,” “not yets,” or “waits” in this current season.

But when there are, I want to remember that every closed door isn’t a rejection but a redirection, a beautiful gift from God.

His plans aren’t always ours. His thoughts are often far beyond what we could imagine.

And honestly?

Thank God.

If you are facing a closed door today, take some time to consider the following questions:

1. Are you gripping a specific outcome so tightly that you’re missing where the Lord may be leading you next?
2. Can you find peace in the truth that God’s "no" is an act of sovereign protection?
3. How can you shift your prayers today from "Lord, do things my way" to "Your will be done"?

Pray with me: Dear Father, thank You that Your plans aren’t always mine. Thank You for every "no," for every time You tell me to wait, or when You whisper, “not yet.” Thank You for the times You shut doors just as much as when You open them. Please help me surrender to Your leading and release my plans to You. Lord, please don’t let me miss where You are calling me next. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

How did today’s devotional speak to you? Share your thoughts in the Crosswalk Devotional discussion.

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Pra-chid 

Hannah L. Benson is a writer, actress, and content marketer with a passion for telling stories that glorify God and bring hope to your heart. As a writer, her work can be found in publications including the Rebelution, Her View From Home, Her Faith Arises, Inside Out Worldwide, and Crosswalk. Her heartfelt writings have impacted countless women around the country. As one reader put it: "Hannah has a gift of sharing the depths of her heart in a relatable way with a deep understanding of the human heart." Connect with her on Facebook (Hannah L. Benson) and Instagram @hannah.l.benson or visit her website at www.hannahlbenson.com.

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com! 

Listen to The Love Offering!

Encouraging you to love God, others, and yourself—one faithful step at a time.

Each week, host Rachael Adams sits down with inspiring women who are making a difference right where they are. Through honest conversations, biblical wisdom, and real-life stories, you'll be reminded that your everyday acts of love—no matter how small—matter deeply to God.

You were created to live a life of impact.
You were made to be a love offering.