Finding purpose in life through God

[TheLordsSon]

Everybody always states how ‘god has a plan for me’ or it will happens through ‘gods will’. Well what if god’s original plan has failed through the wrong choices of man? Is there a new plan implemented or was that the plan the whole time? I’m having a hard time figuring this all out, through situational factors and choices I made I have changed my direction in life physically and emotionally. I feel I let God down in an unsurmountable way, will God direct me in a new path? I feel lost in this world and wanting to see if anybody else had any similar experiences.

 

[Semper_Zelare]

Maybe you’d like to share more details or be more specific? (if you want to)

About a month ago I posted for everyone to pray that my brother not have a sickness bad enough to get discharged from the Navy. It ended up that he wasn’t that sick, and he’s still thankfully still in the Navy.

However, I remember most people on this forum telling me that if the direction of his life did change, and that he did get kicked out; then he shouldn’t get depressed because it just means God has a different plan for him.

I find that hard to accept. I think a lot of people do. We try to control our lives and make plans, but what if everything falls apart? Sometimes failure is part of God’s plan, so that we can learn something from our failure. Or maybe he wants us to change somehow.

I know that I myself have certain plans/ goals for my life. But I sometimes pray, “Lord if you call me to be a lowly janitor or something like that, then humble me and help me to gladly serve in whatever capacity, if it is your will”.

Now… I still really hope that I don’t have to be a janitor or work at McDonalds for my career. But, the point is that as long as we love the Lord, we should be content with what we have (unless we’re truly needy).

Hope that helps :tiphat:

 

[TheLordsSon]

Maybe you’d like to share more details or be more specific? (if you want to)

About a month ago I posted for everyone to pray that my brother not have a sickness bad enough to get discharged from the Navy. It ended up that he wasn’t that sick, and he’s still thankfully still in the Navy.

However, I remember most people on this forum telling me that if the direction of his life did change, and that he did get kicked out; then he shouldn’t get depressed because it just means God has a different plan for him.

I find that hard to accept. I think a lot of people do. We try to control our lives and make plans, but what if everything falls apart? Sometimes failure is part of God’s plan, so that we can learn something from our failure. Or maybe he wants us to change somehow.

I know that I myself have certain plans/ goals for my life. But I sometimes pray, “Lord if you call me to be a lowly janitor or something like that, then humble me and help me to gladly serve in whatever capacity, if it is your will”.

Now… I still really hope that I don’t have to be a janitor or work at McDonalds for my career. But, the point is that as long as we love the Lord, we should be content with what we have (unless we’re truly needy).

Hope that helps :tiphat:

I severely altered my life through nobody’s fault but my own, I made many poor decisions and I know God did not intend for me to fail in this way. I’m wondering if his plan for me will change as I failed or did he know I was going to fail this whole time and he had a purpose for me all along…Kinda hard to grasp I know…

I just have a hard time letting go of god’s original plan for me, I feel like I’ve let him down and cannot move on. Looking back on my life has a whole I can look back at all the mistakes and bad decisions I’ve made for not being confident, shy, or just afraid to take a risk…It’s eating me up inside, I constantly daydream about the person I could have been and it’s too late now. Hopefully God has a new plan for me so I can accept this.

 

[Fan_of_Francis]

PRAYER OF SAINT AUGUSTINE OF HIPPO

Finding God after…
Too late have I loved you,
O Beauty so ancient,
O Beauty so new.
Too late have I loved you!
You were within me but I was outside myself,
and there I sought you!
In my weakness I ran after the beauty of the things you have made.
You were with me,
and I was not with you.
The things you have made kept me from you,
the things which would have no being
unless they existed in you!
You have called,
you have cried,
and you have pierced my deafness.
You have radiated forth,
you have shined out brightly,
and you have dispelled my blindness.
You have sent forth your fragrance,
and I have breathed it in,
and I long for you.
I have tasted you,
and I hunger and thirst for you.
You have touched me,
and I ardently desire your peace.

 

[GRATEFULONEjim]

First, don’t be in great haste for your whole life to unfold. The plan God has for all of us is salvation. To walk in the footsteps of Jesus. To learn his teachings, to love our neighbor. Withdraw from being so concerned how things are going for you and concentrate on how you can help others. This course will come full circle and bring many blessings. I often find myself dwelling on the what if’s of life. Following my own advice and letting God choose the path. It is ironic that for someone like myself who has always been in control of most aspects of my life, is so often humbled by Gods reply. Open up and follow in Jesus’ footsteps. Help the poor, the needy, the sick and infirm. Work the soup kitchens and see how this will improve your outlook on your position on life.

 

[TheLordsSon]

First, don’t be in great haste for your whole life to unfold. The plan God has for all of us is salvation. To walk in the footsteps of Jesus. To learn his teachings, to love our neighbor. Withdraw from being so concerned how things are going for you and concentrate on how you can help others. This course will come full circle and bring many blessings. I often find myself dwelling on the what if’s of life. Following my own advice and letting God choose the path. It is ironic that for someone like myself who has always been in control of most aspects of my life, is so often humbled by Gods reply. Open up and follow in Jesus’ footsteps. Help the poor, the needy, the sick and infirm. Work the soup kitchens and see how this will improve your outlook on your position on life.

Thank you for your response, and I’d like to say that I admire your faith in God. But i’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m not concerned for my future or my present. I’ve prayed and relied on God in the last two months more than I ever have in my whole life but I still feel hopeless. Do I want eternity in heaven? Yes, or course; but all I have ever known is this life on earth. I’m afraid I’ll never fully wholeheartedly believe in salvation, it just seems so far away, unreachable, unfathomable. I want to be in heaven, but I want to be happy on earth too. I know I need to put God above anybody and anything but how could I enjoy salvation without those closest to me on earth? I hope god has big plans for me even though I really managed to screw up his first few blueprints. And helping people is great, it does make you feel better but I feel as if I’ll be in the position of being the one who needs the help pretty soon. I apologize for rambling but it helps…

 

[quiet52]

Thank you for your response, and I’d like to say that I admire your faith in God. But i’d be lying if I didn’t say I’m not concerned for my future or my present. I’ve prayed and relied on God in the last two months more than I ever have in my whole life but I still feel hopeless. Do I want eternity in heaven? Yes, or course; but all I have ever known is this life on earth. I’m afraid I’ll never fully wholeheartedly believe in salvation, it just seems so far away, unreachable, unfathomable. I want to be in heaven, but I want to be happy on earth too. I know I need to put God above anybody and anything but how could I enjoy salvation without those closest to me on earth? I hope god has big plans for me even though I really managed to screw up his first few blueprints. And helping people is great, it does make you feel better but I feel as if I’ll be in the position of being the one who needs the help pretty soon. I apologize for rambling but it helps…

I’m sorry to hear you’re going through such hardship. I am guessing you’re insecure about your financial stability. There are so many in the same boat. Don’t look back and stay stuck in blaming yourself. What’s done is done. Seek God’s mercy and go to confession, if you haven’t already, to reconcile with Him. Don’t worry about contributing materially to others if you cannot. Help others by giving kindness, understanding, patience, forgiveness, and whatever intangible gifts you can offer each day. Help yourself by thanking God for small things – that will help you to find small joys. Even a small joy is a slice of heaven. If you need to ask for help, thank God for the love of others. Take joy in being helped – receiving love gratefully is part of God’s plan too.

God’s plan for us is more about what he expects from us than about what happens to us in our lives. We can be a victims of natural disasters, of illness, or of the consequences of sin, ours or others, and God gives us our free wills to choose how to respond to hardships which befall us. We’re to be faithful – striving to be in union with Him here on earth, and eventually, in heaven – that’s His plan. He is a God of relationship – of love – and wants us to live in love, no matter what our current lot is in life. He is a jealous God, wanting us to be His. He wants us to know that He is with us, guiding us and strengthening us, if we allow Him to.

It’s hard to discern God’s plan or to follow Him without ongoing prayer. Allow the graces of the Mass to help you keep your focus. Contemplate the Scriptures, choose a devotion, or read stories of the saints, to inspire you and to remind you to trust in God’s love. If you are not sure how to pray, or if you are struggling in prayer, keep praying anyway. You might consider visiting with a priest or other trusted spiritual leader to discuss how to pray more effectively during this time of hardship.

Jeremiah 29:11-14a
Philippians 4:4-9