Sometimes people say, “Give me the news. The good, the bad, the ugly.” I’ve begun to update this phrase. Instead of the good, bad, and ugly, I consider the good, different, and unexpected. I find this mental shift unshackles me from limited perceptions.
Just because a situation turns out differently than I intended doesn’t make it bad. When my Plan A looks more like a Plan Q, R or S, that doesn’t mean I need to label it ugly. I can choose to consider that encounter unexpected, according to me.
When God created, He didn’t say, “Well, that sunset is more impressive than yesterday’s sun” or “That animal is bigger or faster than that one.” He simply said, “It is very good.” (Gn. 1:31).
God transforms evil origins into His good purpose. He can take my mess and teach His messages. I can’t imagine God wringing His hands and frantically pacing when I make unwise decisions that don’t go according to plan (His plan or mine)!
God knows the plans He made for me. I think He purposely pluralized that word plan because He knew I’d detour from His original blueprint. God incorporated back-up options to make good after my sometimes-misguided freewill.
Thank You Lord for Your gift of good, different, and unexpected. Encourage me to celebrate Your diversity with all letters of the alphabet. Plan A, B, C, D, E…
Practicing surrendered resilience,
Christina
Readers! Your turn! Share an experience when you thought you were going one direction and it turned out differently? In hindsight, what unexpected, good came from an alternative outcome?
“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Gn. 50:20).