Evaluate and Adjust

“Intelligent people are always open to new ideas. In fact, they look for them.” Proverbs 18:15 NLT

What do you do when things don’t work out as planned? Are you open to new ideas? Determination and tenacity are virtues to cultivate, but there comes a point when determination turns into blind stubbornness and tenacity into hard-headedness.

The Bible says that in a multitude of counselors there is safety (Proverbs 11:14). If your well-thought-out plan is failing, are you open to allowing others to speak into your life? Are you open to adjusting your plan or taking a different route?

The exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt is a good example. When Pharoah finally let the people go, God did not lead them the shortest way to the promised land. The short route would have taken them right through the heart of enemy territory! Instead, he took them the longer route. “For God said, ‘If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt’” (Exodus 13:17 NLT).

Things change. People, culture, politics—disruptions happen that can shift a whole society. Often change is far beyond our control and, for better or worse, can affect the trajectory of our lives. Your plan may have been fail-safe, but then the unanticipated happens. Or it could simply be that you miscalculated in your planning.

Now what? It takes humility to take a step back and objectively evaluate what’s working and what’s not, but it’s necessary if you’re going to continue moving forward in God. It takes confidence in God’s good plan for your life to seek counsel from others and ask for their input.

Remember the tenacity and determination we talked about earlier? You’re going to need to draw on those strengths to accommodate the unexpected while maintaining your objective.

Be open to a new way. If your plans have gone awry, be willing to evaluate and adjust your path as necessary for a plan that ultimately will bring more glory to God.

Pray:“God, I commit my way to you. I know you have a good plan for my life and I seek out your help and counsel for my success. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

Seek: Who are the people in your life that you can trust for godly counsel? List them here, then reach out and ask them for input on your current situation or a future plan.

Speak: I am open to new ideas. In fact, I seek them out!