When Things Don’t Go As Planned

Sometimes in life, everything seems to line up so clearly that you can almost see the next chapter unfolding in front of you. You pray, you plan, and you begin to take steps forward. You see momentum building, and it feels like God is opening a door. That is how this recent situation felt for us. Some time ago, I met with a pastor in our town to discuss the possibility of using their building to plant a church on the south side of Mount Vernon. It was a good meeting. We talked through vision, purpose, and the need in that part of our community. When I walked away, it seemed promising, as if it was already a “yes,” but then the answer came back, “No.” That was disappointing, yet we trusted the Lord and continued on, knowing that if it was not His timing, He would make that clear.

Not long after that, things changed. That pastor resigned, and through connections, I was invited to meet with the church’s leadership team. Once again, we sat down, talked, and prayed through the same vision. This time, the answer was “yes.” It seemed like the door had reopened. We began to move forward. Plans were discussed. Preparation began. Momentum was building. It felt like we were finally stepping into what God had for us. Then, unexpectedly, everything changed again. The pastor returned. A new leadership team was formed. And once again, the answer came back no. Just like that, what had seemed so clear, so promising, and so close was gone. The door we thought we were walking through was suddenly closed.

Being transparent, there is a part of me that felt the weight of that disappointment, not just personally, but for everyone who had been praying and preparing alongside us. If you know me at all, you know I like to move forward. I like progress. I like seeing things come together. Waiting and stopping are not things I naturally enjoy. So when everything came to a halt, I had to wrestle with my own heart before the Lord.

As I reflected on it, I realized this is not just a church-planting lesson, but a life lesson. We all face moments like this. A job you thought you were going to get falls through. A relationship you believed would work out suddenly changes. A plan you prayed over and prepared for simply does not come to pass. In those moments, we are left asking the same question: what do we do when things do not go as planned? How do we respond when a door we believed God was opening suddenly closes? Do we become frustrated, discouraged, or confused? (because I did) Do we begin to question ourselves or even question God? Or do we lean into Him more deeply, trusting that even what we cannot see, He is still accomplishing?

This moment has reminded me that God’s work is not limited to our plans and His purposes are not hindered by closed doors. In fact, sometimes the closing of a door is one of the primary ways God directs His people. Instead of allowing this moment to discourage us, I believe the Lord wants to use it to grow us, deepen our trust, refine our hearts, and realign our focus on what truly matters.

WHEN THINGS DON’T GO AS PLANNED

There is something inside all of us that longs for clarity and control. We like to make plans, set goals, and see things unfold in an orderly way. There is nothing wrong with that. Planning is a good and wise thing. In fact, Scripture assumes that we will make plans. Proverbs 16:9 reminds us, “A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps.” We think through the direction we want to take, seek counsel, pray, and move forward. Yet that same verse reminds us that while we may devise the path, it is the Lord who ultimately directs every step.

I have to admit, my natural instinct when plans fall apart is to start trying to fix them. I start looking for another door, another option, another path forward. But the Lord has been reminding me that He does not need me to force anything open. He is perfectly able to direct my steps, and He is still close by.

When things do not go as planned, it does not mean that God has stepped away; it means that He is still directing. Sometimes He directs by opening doors, and sometimes He directs by closing them. Sometimes He confirms our plans, and sometimes He corrects them. Either way, His hand is involved. What feels like a disruption to us is never a disruption to Him. He is not reacting to circumstances. He is ruling over them.

James addresses this same truth in James 4:13-15 when he speaks to those who say, “To day or to morrow we will go into such a city… and buy and sell, and get gain.” The problem is not that they planned. The problem is that they planned as if God had no say in the matter. James reminds us that we ought to say, “If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.” That is not just a phrase we tack on to the end of our plans. It is a posture of the heart that recognizes God is the One who governs every detail of our lives.

When a plan falls apart, it reveals what we truly believe about God. Do we believe He is good even when we do not understand? Do we believe He is wise even when we would have chosen differently? Do we believe He is actively directing our steps even when those steps feel like they are going in the opposite direction we expected?

It is easy to trust God when everything is moving forward. It is harder to trust Him when something we believed was from Him suddenly stops. Yet those are often the very moments when God is doing some of His most important work in us. A closed door is not the absence of God’s leadership. It may be the clearest expression of it.

So how should we respond when things do not go as planned? We respond by remembering who God is. He is sovereign. He is wise. He is good. And He is personally involved in directing our lives. Instead of resisting His direction, we submit to it. Instead of panicking, we trust. Instead of assuming something has gone wrong, we recognize that God is still writing the story.

Take a moment and ask yourself some honest questions.

• When your plans are interrupted, what is your first response? Is it frustration or faith?
• Do you immediately begin trying to fix the situation, or do you pause to seek the Lord?
• Are you willing to let God redirect you, even if it means letting go of something you were excited about?

Learning to trust God when things do not go as planned is one of the most important lessons of the Christian life. It reminds us that we are not in control, and that is not a bad thing. It is a comforting thing, because the One who is in control loves us and is leading us exactly where we need to go.

GUARDING THE HEART IN DISAPPOINTMENT

When plans fall apart, the real battle is not around us; it is within us. Disappointment has a way of exposing what is going on in our hearts. The natural response of the flesh is to complain, to grow discouraged, or to turn inward and begin to question ourselves. Those responses may feel automatic and even right, but they are not unavoidable or biblical. By God’s grace, we can choose how we respond.

In moments like these, I have to make a deliberate decision. Because if I don’t, my heart will naturally drift toward frustration and self-blame. I must decide that I am not going to give in to my heart’s desire to complain. I am not going to allow myself to sink into discouragement. I am not going to carry the weight of failure as if everything depends on me. Those are real temptations, but they are not the path God has for His people. I know how I’m wired, and perhaps you can relate. I can start replaying conversations, wondering what I could have said differently, or whether I misread the situation. That is why guarding the heart is so important.

Scripture calls us to guard our hearts and direct our thoughts. Philippians 4:8 reminds us, “…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just… think on these things.” When disappointment comes, our thoughts can quickly drift toward what is negative, confusing, or hurtful. We begin to replay conversations, question motives, or assume the worst. God calls us instead to bring our thoughts back under His truth.

There is also a warning we must take seriously. Hebrews 12:15 cautions us about “any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.” Bitterness rarely shows up all at once. It grows quietly in the soil of disappointment. If we are not careful, a closed door can turn into a hardened heart. That is why we must address our hearts early and honestly before the Lord.

The psalmist models this for us in Psalm 42:5 when he says, “Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God.” He does not ignore his emotions, but he does not allow them to control him either. He speaks truth to his own heart and points himself back to God.

This is the discipline of the Christian life. We shepherd our own hearts before we try to shepherd anyone else. We take our disappointment to the Lord. We acknowledge our feelings, but we do not allow them to define us. We align our thoughts with what we know to be true about God.

It is worth asking ourselves some honest questions in these moments. When plans fall through, what is my first instinct? Do I begin to complain, or do I begin to pray? Do I dwell on what went wrong, or do I focus on what I know to be true about God? Is there any bitterness beginning to take root in my heart? Am I allowing disappointment to push me away from the Lord, or am I letting it draw me closer to Him?

Guarding the heart in disappointment is not about pretending everything is fine. It is about choosing faith over frustration and hope over discouragement. It is about believing that God is still at work, even when the outcome is not what we expected.

CHOOSING TO TRUST GOD’S PURPOSE

There are moments in life when we simply do not understand what God is doing. We prayed. We sought counsel. We tried to walk in wisdom. And yet the outcome is not what we expected. In those moments, we face a choice. Will we demand understanding, or will we rest in trust?

I’ll be fully transparent with you. I don’t always like not understanding what God is doing. I like clarity. I like knowing the plan. But God has reminded me again that my responsibility is not to understand everything, but to trust Him in everything. Trusting God’s purpose does not mean we always see His plan clearly. It means we believe His plan is good even when we cannot see it at all. Isaiah 55:8-9 reminds us, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” God’s perspective is higher than ours. He sees the beginning, the middle, and the end all at once. We see only what is right in front of us.

Because of that, there will be times when God’s direction does not make sense to us. A door closes that we thought was from Him. A path we believed was clear suddenly becomes uncertain. In those moments, we must remember that God is not limited by our understanding. His purposes are not small or short-sighted. He is always working toward something greater than what we can see.

Romans 8:28 gives us a steady anchor in these moments: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Notice the confidence in that verse. It does not say we will understand all things. It says we know that God is working all things together for good. That includes the open doors and the closed ones, the clear paths and the confusing ones.

Trusting God’s purpose means we choose to rest in Him even when we do not have answers. Psalm 37:5 says, “Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” We commit our plans to Him. We trust His heart. And we leave the results in His hands.

It is also important to remember that God’s purpose often reaches beyond us. What He is doing may not just be about our comfort or our success. He may be shaping us, preparing us, protecting us, or positioning us for something we cannot yet see. His goal is not simply to make our path easy. His goal is to make us more like Christ and to use our lives for His glory.

So we ask ourselves, do we trust God only when His plans align with ours? Are we willing to rest in Him when we do not understand His direction? Can we say with confidence that His purpose is better than our preference?

Choosing to trust God’s purpose is not a one-time decision. It is a daily posture of the heart. Each day we choose to believe that He is good, that He is wise, and that He is working, even when we cannot see it.

PRESSING FORWARD WHEN IT FEELS LIKE STEPPING BACKWARD

There are seasons in life when it feels like all the progress we have made stalls suddenly or even reverses. We take steps forward, only to feel pushed back. Plans change, doors close, and momentum seems to slow. In those moments, it can feel as though we are losing ground. Yet in God’s economy, a setback is not the same as a failure. Often, what feels like a step backward is actually part of God’s way of moving us forward in a deeper and more lasting way.

This is especially important for someone like me, because I am not naturally a “slow down and wait” person. I am a “let’s go, let’s build, let’s move” person. So when progress feels like it stalls, I have to remind myself that God is still at work, even when I cannot see any movement.

Scripture reminds us to keep pressing forward, even when the path is not as clear as we would like. Philippians 3:13-14 says, “…forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark.” Paul did not allow obstacles or disappointments to stop him from continuing on in the direction God had called him. He kept his eyes on the goal and continued to move forward in faith.

This kind of perseverance requires us to look beyond immediate results and trust the long-term work of God. Galatians 6:9 encourages us, “let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” There is a promise attached to perseverance. The harvest may not come as quickly as we hoped, and it may not look exactly how we imagined, but God does not waste faithful effort. He sees every step of obedience, even the ones that feel small or unnoticed.

In seasons where it feels like we are going backward, it helps to remember that God is often building things beneath the surface. Just as a seed must be planted and hidden in the soil before it can grow, God is often doing unseen work in our hearts and in the lives of others before visible fruit appears. What looks like a pause may actually be preparation.

So we continue to move forward in the areas we know are right. We continue to grow in our walk with the Lord. We continue to serve faithfully. We continue to love people and invest in them. We continue taking the next step of obedience before us, even if it feels small.

It is helpful to ask ourselves some honest questions in these moments. Am I measuring progress only by what I can see, or am I trusting God to be at work behind the scenes? Have I allowed discouragement to slow my obedience, or am I continuing to press forward in faith? Am I focused on what I have lost, or on what God is still doing?

1 Corinthians 15:58 gives us a steady reminder, “be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord…forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” Nothing done for God is wasted. Every step of obedience matters.

Even when it feels like we are stepping backward, we can continue to press forward because we trust that God is still leading. He is building, preparing, and positioning us in ways we may not yet see. Our responsibility is not to control the outcome. Our responsibility is to remain faithful in the process.

LEARNING TO WAIT ON THE LORD

There are times in life when the most spiritual thing we can do is wait. That can feel uncomfortable, especially when we are used to moving forward, solving problems, and taking action. Yet waiting is not inactivity. Waiting is dependence. It is choosing to trust God’s timing instead of forcing our own.

Waiting is not something I naturally enjoy. Again and always being fully transparent, waiting is not high on my list of favorite spiritual disciplines. I like motion. I like action. I like progress. But God often does some of His deepest work in us when He asks us to be still.

After a door closes, there is often a natural urge to rush ahead and find another one. We want to fix it. We want to replace what was lost. But sometimes the Lord gently reminds us to pause. To be still. To wait on Him. Psalm 27:14 says, “Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Waiting is not wasted time. It is a place where God strengthens us.

Isaiah 40:31 gives us a beautiful promise about this season: “But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength.” Notice what happens in the waiting. Strength is renewed. Perspective is restored. Our dependence on God grows deeper. Waiting is not God putting us on a shelf. It is God shaping us for what comes next.

Lamentations 3:25-26 reminds us that waiting is also an act of hope: “The LORD is good unto them that wait for him… It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.” Waiting teaches us to rest in God’s goodness even when we do not yet see the outcome. It teaches us to trust His heart when we cannot trace His hand.

During seasons of waiting, God often uses the quiet to examine our motives and refine our desires. Why did we want what we wanted? Were we seeking God’s glory or our own expectations? Were we trusting Him or trusting our plans? Waiting gives us space to let the Lord search our hearts and align them with His.

It is also important to remember that waiting does not mean we stop living faithfully. We continue to walk with the Lord daily. We stay in His Word. We pray. We serve. We love others. We remain faithful in what He has already given us to do. Waiting is not idleness. It is faithfulness in the present while trusting God with the future.

Take a moment to ask yourself some honest questions. Am I willing to wait on God’s timing, or am I trying to rush ahead of Him? Do I see this season as wasted time, or as a season of growth? What might God be teaching me right now that I could only learn in a time of waiting?

Waiting on the Lord requires patience, but it also brings peace. When we rest in His timing, we are freed from the pressure to control every outcome. We can trust that He knows exactly what He is doing and that His timing is always right.

As we wait, we do so with hope, confidence, and expectation. God is not finished. He is still working. And when His time is right, He will make the next step clear.

CONTINUING THE MISSION WHILE WE WAIT

One of the things the Lord has reminded me of in this season is that the mission has not changed one bit. We may not have the building we thought we would have, but we still have people to reach, disciples to grow, and leaders to develop.

One of the greatest temptations in a season of delay is to let the mission slow down. When plans change or doors close, it can feel like everything has come to a halt. But God’s mission never stops. Even when our plans pause, His purpose continues. The call to make disciples and reach people with the Gospel does not depend on a building, a timeline, or a specific opportunity. It depends on our obedience.

Jesus gave us our mission clearly in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations… teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” That command does not change when circumstances shift. It remains our calling in every season, including seasons of waiting.

Church planting is not just about a location. It is about people. It begins with growing as disciples ourselves and investing in others who will follow Christ and lead others to do the same. In 2 Timothy 2:2, we are reminded, “the things that thou hast heard of me… commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” Even if a door closes in one area, we can still be discipling, mentoring, and pouring into others right where we are.

In seasons like this, it is helpful to ask, who are the people God has already placed in my life? Who can I encourage? Who can I teach? Who can I invest in so that they grow stronger in their walk with Christ? The work of making disciples does not require a new facility. It requires faithful people who are willing to pour their lives into others.

Titus 1:5 reminds us that part of God’s work is raising up leaders. That does not happen overnight. It happens through consistent investment, teaching, and example. Seasons of waiting can become seasons of preparation, where God is shaping the very people who will be needed for what comes next.

So instead of seeing a closed door as the end of the work, we can see it as a redirection of our focus. We continue to grow in our own walk with the Lord. We continue to build relationships. We continue to share the Gospel. We continue to disciple and train others. We continue to serve faithfully where God has already placed us.

Ask yourself, am I waiting for the “right opportunity” to do what God has already commanded me to do? Am I investing in people now, or am I putting that off until circumstances change? Who is one person I can begin pouring into today?

The mission continues because God is still working. And as we remain faithful in what He has already given us to do, we position ourselves to be ready for whatever He opens next.

A CALL TO PRAYER

When plans change and doors close, one of the most important things we can do is pray. Prayer is not a last resort when everything else fails. It is our first response as we seek the Lord’s will and direction. In seasons of uncertainty, prayer keeps our hearts aligned with God and reminds us that He is the One who leads His people. I want to invite you personally to join me in this. This is not just my prayer. This is our prayer as a church family.

First, we pray for God’s will to be done. This is the foundation of every request. Jesus taught us to pray in Matthew 6:10, “Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” Our greatest desire should not be that our plans succeed, but that God’s purposes are accomplished. Even when we do not understand what He is doing, we can trust that His will is always good, wise, and right.

Second, we pray for wisdom. When the path forward is not clear, we need God’s guidance. James 1:5 promises, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God… and it shall be given him.” God does not leave us to figure things out on our own. He invites us to seek Him for direction, and He promises to give wisdom generously to those who ask in faith.

Third, we pray for unity and readiness. As we move forward, it is vital that our hearts are aligned with one another and with the Lord. Colossians 4:2 encourages us to “continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” Prayer keeps us watchful and prepared for whatever God is about to do. It softens our hearts toward one another and keeps us focused on the mission God has given us.

Prayer also reminds us that the work belongs to God. Matthew 9:38 tells us to “pray… the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.” The harvest is His. The work is His. We are simply His servants, asking Him to lead and provide.

So let me encourage you to join me in prayer. Pray that God’s will would be done, even if it looks different from what we expected. Pray that He would give us wisdom for each step ahead. Pray that He would keep our hearts united and ready for whatever He chooses to do next. Pray that He would continue to raise up people who will love Him, serve Him, and carry the Gospel forward.

In times like these, prayer is not just something we do. It is how we walk with God. It is how we keep our hearts steady when circumstances are uncertain. And it is how we position ourselves to see Him work in ways we could never accomplish on our own.

GOD IS STILL BUILDING HIS WORK

When a door closes, it can feel like the story has stalled. It can feel like progress has been lost and that something good has slipped through our hands. But as we step back and look through the lens of Scripture, we are reminded that God’s work is not dependent on our plans, and His purposes are not hindered by closed doors. He is still leading. He is still working. And He is still building what He has promised to build.

The situation we have walked through has reminded me that God’s direction is not always revealed through what He opens, but often through what He closes. Sometimes His “no” is just as much an act of guidance as His “yes.” We may not always understand the reason, but we can trust the One who is directing the path. Proverbs 16:9 says that while we devise our way, the Lord directs our steps. That truth does not change when circumstances do.

So where does that leave us? It leaves us in a place of trust, obedience, and readiness. We trust that God’s plan is better than ours, even when it looks different. We obey what we already know He has called us to do, continuing to grow, serve, and invest in others. And we remain ready for whatever He opens next, knowing that in His perfect timing, He will make the path clear.

There is a peace that comes when we release control and place our confidence fully in the Lord. We do not have to force doors open. We do not have to manipulate outcomes. We do not have to carry the weight of the future on our own shoulders. God is faithful. He knows what He is doing. And He will accomplish His purposes in His way and in His time.

As we move forward, let this moment not be a source of discouragement but of growth. Let it deepen our trust in the Lord. Let it refine our hearts and realign our priorities. Let it remind us that our hope is not in a plan, a place, or a timeline, but in the God who leads us.

The door we thought we would walk through may be closed, but God has not closed His hand toward us. He is still guiding, still providing, and still working in ways we cannot yet see.

So we press on with faith. We wait with hope. We serve with joy. And we trust that in the days ahead, God will make the next step clear, and when He does, we will be ready to follow. I don’t know yet what God is going to do next. But I do know that He is faithful, and He has never once led us wrong.