When God Says No: Planning from a Place of Surrender
- Dr. Lorin R. Carter
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
As I started the Pray Plan Profit journey for this quarter, I asked God for something different. "Please give me the grace to accept your decision."
Not please "bless me in this way" or "allow this to happen."
Give me grace to accept Your Will.
I knew going into this quarter I would have to make some important decisions, and I didn't want my own personal preferences or desires to get in the way of whatever God had planned to do.
Well, I should've been more careful, or specific, in my prayers. lol (IYKYK)
Liiiiiiiiiiiisten, let me tell you! God gave me an opportunity to do just that with a resounding "NO." a week later.
I was crushed. Heartbroken. But this time...this time, I noticed the rejection didn't cut as deeply. The pain and disappointment were real, but the depth was different.
I let myself feel what I felt in full for that day. I cried, I wondered why, I wished it were different. Then I prayed and asked God to help me walk through the healing from it, and He is.
Now you may be asking, "Why was this important to planning?"
I don't know about you, but in the past there have been times when I made my plans and then brought them to God for Him to bless. It would sound something like this, "Just trust me God; it's a great plan! I used all the knowledge you gave me and worked out all the details. I know you'll love it!
Spoiler alert: He did, in fact, not love it. (Smh)
This time, I wanted to be intentional that what I was bringing for blessing was a surrendered heart and mind ready to follow His direction. Not a plan made without His guidance or leading. That change in posture made all the difference, because when He said "No.", I could accept His decision, allow myself to grieve, look for the lesson (if there was one to be found- sometimes No is just No), and move forward.
This was right in line with one of the first few pages in PRAY -
"PAUSE. Let Go of expectations and embrace surrender. Embrace God's Plan."
The next page grounded me in scripture as I said the "Help me to accept your Will" prayer daily.
It reminded me that I must be moderate - self-controlled, level, reasonable - about my decisions. I shouldn't be overly careful - excessively anxious, cautious, or invested- in anything before God deems it approved.
My father is the epitome of this verse in action. Whenever I talk to my Daddy about big decisions, feelings, partnerships, moves, etc., he tells me, "Stay even. Not too low. Not too high. Even. Judge nothing before its time." Followed by his hand moving in a straight and steady line in the air to underscore his point.
His words are wisdom to not hold the outcome I'm hoping for closer than the God I'm praying to. As I mature in my faith, it gets a bit easier to not only hear that but, to practice it more fully.
It was so calming to feel God's peace - as I waited, when the decision came, as I grieved what I thought was "the solution", and now as I work to reroute according to God's direction. It has been with me and has been an immense comfort (a salve even) to my heart and mind.
As I work through my next steps in prayer, I am also working through the page that comes after the scripture in the planner to make sure I feel my feelings, but I don't get stuck here. Disappointment can weigh heavily, and I am using this to keep my heart light, and remind myself I can trust God because He is faithful. He is a Good Father and He wants (and has already designed) what's best for me.
The feelings of disappointment, distraction, and deterrence are tools that can keep me from being available and open to God. Actively addressing them takes away their power, and positions me to learn from this, grow, and use it for whatever God has next.
Now, I'm working daily to stay focused on things that are good and keep my faith attached to right thing (God's Word).
Some days are harder than others (because I really wanted what I prayed about), but I have a peace that what God is sending next will be better than what I even knew to pray for - it always is. 😉💫
There's still time to join me for the first Plan With Me experience. If you want to plan in community, have real time feedback on how to use the planner, and designated time to check in and focus on your business - this is for you. Click below for more information and join us.
Thank you for continuing to trust me as a partner on your CEO journey. I’m looking forward to connecting deeper this year as we find new ways to Live + Lead Well.
That's all for now, but if you need anything before my next message, remember I'm always one email away.
With Joy In Purpose,
Dr. Lorin R. Carter
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