The Dream That Didn't Happen
You had it all mapped out. The degree that would lead to the perfect job. The relationship that was supposed to end in marriage. The business idea that was finally going to take off. The ministry opportunity that felt like a clear calling from God.
But here you are - degree in hand with no job offers, single again, business closed, ministry opportunity gone. And the question that keeps you up at night: If this was supposed to be God's plan, why did it all fall apart?
The Guy Who Had It All Figured Out
Joseph had dreams too - literal ones. God gave him visions of a future where he'd be in a position of authority, where even his family would bow to him. It seemed like a clear promise, a guaranteed future.
So Joseph probably thought he had it figured out. God showed him the destination, so surely the path would be straightforward, right?
Wrong. His brothers sold him into slavery. He ended up in Egypt, far from home, working as a servant. But Joseph kept his integrity, worked hard, and things started looking up. He got promoted, earned trust, and it seemed like maybe this was the path to those dreams after all.
Then he got falsely accused of assault and thrown into prison. For years. The guy who did nothing wrong ended up locked up and forgotten. The dreams God gave him felt like a cruel joke.
When God's Timing Makes No Sense
Joseph spent years in that prison. Years of wondering if he'd heard God wrong. Years of watching his dreams collect dust while life passed him by. Pharaoh's cupbearer, who promised to help Joseph get out, simply forgot about him. (Genesis 40:23)
God didn't fast-track Joseph's release. He didn't send an angel to break him out. He didn't even send a sign that said, "Hang in there, this is all part of the plan." Joseph just... waited. And waited. And probably wondered if God had forgotten about him too.
But those prison years weren't wasted time. Joseph was learning things he'd need later - patience, humility, dependence on God instead of circumstances. The dream was still real, but the path to it required preparation Joseph didn't know he needed.
Sometimes your plans fall apart because God's plan requires a different route. Sometimes the delay isn't denial - it's development. Sometimes the closed door isn't God saying no - it's God saying not yet.
When the Plan Stays Broken
Your original plan might never come back together. The relationship might stay ended. The business might stay closed. The opportunity might stay gone. And that's genuinely hard.
But your life isn't over because Plan A didn't work out. God's goodness isn't measured by whether He gives you the exact future you envisioned. Sometimes Plan B, C, or Z turns out better than you could have imagined - but you can't see it from the prison.
He's with you in the disappointment. He's with you when you're updating your resume again. He's with you when you're grieving what could have been. And He's working on something, even when it feels like nothing is happening.
A Prayer for Broken Plans
God, this isn't how it was supposed to go. I had plans, I had dreams, and they all fell apart. I thought I heard You clearly, but now I'm wondering if I got it all wrong.
Help me trust that closed doors aren't always dead ends. Help me believe that delays aren't always denials. Help me see that You're still working even when everything feels stuck.
Give me patience when waiting feels impossible. Give me hope when disappointment feels overwhelming. Give me faith that Your plan is better than mine, even when I can't see it yet.
And help me remember that my worth isn't tied to my achievements, my timeline isn't more important than Your timing, and Your goodness doesn't depend on my plans working out.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
"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
