God's Plans: What They Are and Why We Sometimes Struggle to Hear Them
- xwithlovet25
- May 3
- 3 min read
I've been thinking a lot lately about God's plans. Not just the beautiful verse we love to quote––"I know the plans I have for you..."––but the deeper reality of what His plans actually mean, and why sometimes it feels so hard to hear them.
Maybe you've felt it too.
That longing to know––"God, what are You doing with my life?"
The tension between trust and uncertainty. The quiet fear that maybe you missed something along the way.
As I leaned into Scripture and prayer, God gently reminded me:
His plans have never been hidden. They have always been rooted in love, redemption, and relationship.
God's Plans Are Bigger Than We Imagine
Think about it, from the beginning of time, God's plan has always been clear:
To Redeem. To Restore. To draw us into deep, eternal relationship with Him. It's written all over the bible:
"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
"This is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." ––John 17:3
"God is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."
––2 Peter 3:9
His plans are not just about where we live, what job we have, or who we marry.
They are about our hearts. Our becoming. Our eternity.
God's Specific Plans for Us Personally
Beyond His big story of redemption, God also writes personal stories with each of our lives.
His plans for us include:
Growing our character to reflect Jesus (Romans 8:29)
Equipping us to love and serve others (1 Peter 4:10)
Positioning us to be a light in dark places (Matthew 5:14-16)
Preparing us for an eternal future with Him (Colossians 31:1-4)
His plans may sometimes look different from our dreams. But they are always rooted in goodness deeper than anything we could design for ourselves. For example, you might think God's plan is "to get the dream job," but God's deeper plan is "to grow your trust, humility, witness, and character through the journey––whether you get that job or not."
He cares more about who you're becoming than where you're going.
So Why Do We Struggle to Hear God's Plans?
This question broke me open a little–– because I realized: It's not God isn't speaking. It's that sometimes we're hard of hearing. Well, I know I am. But here's why:
we expect a loud, dramatic voice, but God often speaks in a still, small whisper.
(1 Kings 19:11-13)
We are distracted, anxious, or impatient.
We have preconceived ideas of what we want to hear.
Fear, pride, or doubt block our sensitivity.
and Jesus said:
"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow me." ––John 10:27
Hearing Him isn't about perfect spiritual performance. It's about staying close enough to recognize His voice above all the others. So the real issue isn't that God is silent––it's that sometimes we need to slow down, tune in, and be willing to hear even if it challenges us.
How to Tune Our Ears to God's Plans
If you, like me, long to hear Him more clearly––what helps me:
Stay rooted in His Word.
(The Bible is God's heart written down for us. When you know His Word, you know His voice.)
Stay prayerful–– and willing to listen, not just talk.
(Ask, "God, what are You saying? How are You leading?" Then it still long enough to hear.)
Stay surrendered.
(Lay down your plans daily and trust His better story.)
Stay humble and open.
( Be willing to admit you don't always know the way––but He does.)
Stay patient.
(Sometimes silence is not absence. Sometimes its preparation.)
A Final Whisper for Your Heart
"The heart of a man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." ––Proverbs 16:9
Even when we miss a turn. Even when we doubt, delay, or detour. God knows how to re-route, restore, and gently realign us. You are not too late. You are not too broken. You are not too far. If your heart is still seeking Him––even through the questions––
you are right where you need to be.
His plans are unfolding, even in the silence. Even in the waiting. Even when you can't see the full path yet. Stay close to Him. Stay listening. Stay trusting. He's still writing your story. And it is more beautiful than you imagine.
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